Handbook of Trailer Sailing Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the third highest rated book in our Ensenada 20 library, just below "Frugal Yachting", which is just below "The Complete Sailor".
I would strongly recommend any would-be sailor whose considering to take the plunge, to get all three, read them cover to cover, and keep them close at hand always.
The Handbook of Trailer Sailing provides rafts of information that would otherwise be difficult to aquire for those who are considering purchasing a trailerable sailboat.
While it could provide more depth on the trailering aspect, it compensates with lots of real life experience in all the places a trailer sailor may end up going.

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Increasing competition for mooring and dock space has driven the price of their favorite sport out of reach for far too many sailors. The solution? Downsizing to an affordable boat stored between sails on a trailer. Not only is the boat safe and convenient, but cruising options expand dramatically--the whole continent becomes available at 55 miles per hour dead to windward. Whether you're a new sailor just starting out or an old hand choosing the '90s phenomenon of "downshifting," this completely revised and updated edition of Bob Burgess's Handbook of Trailer Sailing, first published in 1984 and widely acclaimed as the trailer sailor's bible, will chart your whole course. There's detailed information on finding your dream boat, outfitting and setting up, trailers and trailering, elementary and advanced sailing, anchoring, customizing for comfort, taking care of your outboard motor, sail camping, cruise planning, and more.

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Used Boat Notebook: From the Pages of Sailing Magazine, Reviews of 40 Used Boats Plus a Detailed Look at Ten Great Used Boats to Sail Around the World Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a fantastic resource that is broken down into easy to assimilate categories:
* First Impressions
* Construction
* What To Look For
* On Deck
* Down Below
* Engine
* Underway, and
* Conclusions
Each of these categories are covered in depth, but I found the construction and what to look for most interesting. As I write this, I am currently shopping for a new boat with a friend and reading each review is like sitting down with a knowledgeable person that owns each boat.
In addition to the areas covered above, there is also a great summary and Sailing Magazine Value Guide that covers: Price, design quality, construction quality, user-friendliness, safety, typical condition, refitting, support, availability, investment and resale, and overall 'SVG' rating.
The only criticism I have is that the author is definitely biased in what he likes and doesn't like and makes it apparent while reading. He is extremely qualified in his opinions, but they are just that - opinions. So just keep that in mind while reading and buy based upon what YOU want, not just what the author likes.
That said, that is also what gives the author credibility. His reviews are not just 'glam-shots' of the boats. Each boat and it's shortcomings are discussed, but the boat is not simply shot down.
Would I buy a boat without reading this book in-depth? No way. This book is well worth the money even if you are not buying a boat as it will help you look at your current boat with some new ideas.

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With the used boat market growing and becoming more complex, here is the book that used boat buyers have been waiting for. John Kretschmer's Used Boat Notebook has long been one of the most popular features in Sailing Magazine. Each month Kretschmer provides a hard hitting, detailed review of a well-known boat. From trailer sailers like the O'Day 23, to coastal cruisers like the Ericson 35, to blue water classics like the Valiant 40, the Used Boat Notebook covers a fascinating spectrum of boats. These thoroughly researched reviews include owner insights, a guide to common problems and suggestions on where to find parts, advice and support. Kretschmer's lively writing style and unique perspective is based on 200,000 miles of offshore sailing experience. In fact, Kretschmer has sailed thirty different boats at least 1,000 miles or more. Current market pricing and availability information along with an innovative 'value guide' help readers evaluate each of the forty boats profiled. In addition, ten great and affordable used boats to sail around the world' features quality boats that prospective world cruisers should seriously consider. The boats are selected for their seaworthiness and their value in the market place. You can find affordable boats for world cruising with the aid of this book. While there are plenty of good books that offer general information and what to look for in an offshore boat, this book focuses on the specifics.

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Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is an excellent starting point for those trying to wade through the ocean of sailboats available on the used market, who want to get "the most bang for their buck." The reader should come away with at least several favories, allowing him/her to narrow the search for the "perfect" boat. At the same time, other boats will be stricken from the list of possibilites because of information contained in this book. It is aimed at the person who wants to get out there and sail on the best boat possible, but must shop carefully due to budget considerations. The short descriptions and comparisons of the boats are helpful, as are the details of the "known weaknesses," and interviews with owners. I just wish the book could have profiled more than 20 sailboats, I hated to reach the end. As a companion to this book, I would recommend "Inspecting The Aging Sailboat" by Don Casey. I would buy this book again.

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John Vigor turns the spotlight on twenty seaworthy sailboats that are at home on the ocean in all weather. These are old fiberglass boats, mostly of traditional design and strong construction. All are small, from 20 feet to 32 feet overall, but all have crossed oceans, and all are cheap.Choosing the right boat to take you across an ocean or around the world can be confusing and exasperating, particularly with a tight budget. Vigor sets out to remedy that in this book. He compares the designs and handling characteristics of 20 different boats whose secondhand market prices start at about $3,000. Interviews with experienced owners (featuring valuable tips about handling each boat in heavy weather) are interspersed with line drawings of hulls, sail plans, and accommodations. Vigor has unearthed the known weaknesses of each boat and explains how to deal with them. He rates their comparative seaworthiness, their speed, and the number of people they can carry in comfort.If you have ever dreamed the dream this book can help you turn it into reality.

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The Modern Cruising Sailboat: A Complete Guide to its Design, Construction, and Outfitting Review

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(More customer reviews)I wish this had been the first book I bought when I started researching live aboard cruisers. This book is a great overview that will help you codify what type of boat you want and need. There is very little in the book that I haven't read in other places, but I haven't found any other book that puts all of the information in one nice reference like this. The recommended reading list is worth the price of the book!
I only wish that his boat reviews in the back had included more boats in the live aboard size range rather than concentrating on so many smaller boats.
That being said, you won't go wrong buying this book.

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A comprehensive guide to help you identify and equip the boat that best suits your needs

Well-known boating writer Charles Doane unravelsthe complexity of cruising sailboat design and explains the fundamentals and the ramifications of each design decision. In easy-to-understand terms, Doane explains theoreticalaspects of design, pragmatic issues like keel shapeand berth configuration, pros and cons of variousconstruction methods and materials, outfitting, propulsion,rigging and much more.

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