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1. Determine where you are. This has an impact on requirements for boat registration, insurance, fire extinguishers, what PFDs you carry, possibly a license for the VHF, and possibly some sort of safe boating credential.
   
   
2. Make sure your boat won't sink on you. This means carefully checking all the thru-hulls to make sure they operate smoothly, are in good shape, and keeping them closed when not in use. It also means ensuring the automatic bilge pump is working, and that there's enough power to run it, either in the batteries or from shore.
   
   
3. Make sure your boat won't leave you stranded. Make sure the engine is in good shape and runs smoothly, make sure the steering cables look OK, check all the standing and running rigging, etc. Ideally the boat will have a binder documenting where everything is, when maintenance was performed, and also how old things are (e.g. your standing rigging probably has a service lifetime of 10-12 years).
   
   
4. Clean your boat. Seriously! Power wash it, sand it, paint it, polish it, whichever everything needs. Make it look like new. Not only will you feel better living on it and sailing it, but you'll get familiar with the state of everything and know what will be next up for maintenance or repair. Depending on how things are, set aside time regularly to clean or polish something at random. Ideally it's before things show wear; that's the best way to keep things that way.
   
   
5. Go over the electrical systems very carefully. Better, get a professional. You will want to know how much power you are likely to draw (think instruments, radar, refrigeration, radio, lights, water pumps, etc.) and make sure you have sufficient battery capacity, that the batteries are of the correct type and in good shape, and that the wiring done safely according to the proper standards (and ideally slightly over-spec'd; boats are no place for a fire). Finally, everything should be easy to follow and clearly labelled.
   
   
6. Ditto for the plumbing, etc. You'll need to determine your local pump-out facility, know how to check your holding tanks, etc.
   
   
7. Assuming you have a stove aboard, always switch it off at the solenoid, let the flame go out, and only then turn off the stove (again, fire bad!).
   
   
8. Learn how to use the VHF and what the local channels and rules are. Much is standardized, but some is local.
   
   Resources:
   
   

• Assuming it has a diesel, I'm told this is a very good resource: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071475354
  
• For sailing, you probably want a copy of this: https://www.amazon.com/Annapolis-Book-Seamanship-Fourth/dp/1451650191
  
• Get a copy of the ColRegs and local rules. This covers the rules of the road as well as lighting and other requirements. For example, the USCG publishes the local and international ones side-by-side here: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/index.php?pageName=NavRulesAmalgamated (by treaty, local rules will usually be similar to the international ColRegs).
  
• The RYA has a nice VHF textbook that covers DSC as well; it's mostly correct and the only items that might not apply are the UK-specific radio channels. The USCG radiotelephone handbook is also useful.
  
• Once you've sorted out the basics, the "Sailing Virgins" channel on Youtube isn't that bad; they have some nice (and concise!) videos on various techniques.

The Complete Sailor, by Seidman & Mulford.

I'm reading the second edition of the Slight / DK manual at present, and IMO it's quite poor. It features an incorrect theory of aerofoils [more], and the layout is a bit cluttered, but most importantly it's badly written. Sentences are poorly phrased, with repeated and redundant words, whole descriptions are a messy clusterfuck, and the author uses nautical words which it doesn't explain or define (and I'm sure at least once wasn't in the index).

I was impressed by The Complete Sailor when I read it, my first sailing book, but having read two more in the intervening weeks, my opinion has only hardened.

It is a beautifully and elegantly constructed work, and I say that not just because of Mulford's illustrations - he does deserve as much credit as Seidman - but also for the layout and the way topics are handled. Each page or pair of facing pages covers a single topic, and there's something particularly impressive in how it's explained in a way that the reader can understand - the book starts by talking about the wind, and thereafter every term or concept that is used to explain the current topic is one that has been explained already, previously in the book.

I really think that the authors deserve a lot of credit for how they lay a foundation of information and then build upon it - they make everything simple and logical, and any time you think "what does that mean?" you know that it's already been covered, and it's easy to flip back to the right section. The authors have taken a lot of information about a complicated subject, and made it really accessible.

The Complete Sailor also focuses more on the core concepts of sailing and seamanship than the other books do - they make more digressions about types of life preserver, wood vs GRP, details of yacht vs dinghy, and key dates in yachting history.

I haven't read Sailing for Dummies, but Herreshoff's Sailor's Handbook is pretty good, and I'd recommend anyone pick up a secondhand or remaindered copy to set alongside Complete Sailor. There's probably some stuff in the former that the latter skips.

The Dorling Kindersley book, though, just feels a bit like marketing-orientated writing - it's a thick book, full of high quality glossy photos and clean modern illustrations; it probably looks commanding in the store, and it'll probably be bought as a present by mothers and grandmas for teenagers who have developed an interest in the sport. Nevertheless, it's cluttered, hard to read and factually wrong.

I know that I could have expressed this comparison with more clarity, but it's late here, so I can only apologise.

Around the World in Wanderer III by Eric Hiscock is fantastic. If you're looking for a more instructional book I'd also advise Cruising Under Sail by the same author.

Hard to have any list about cruising without starting off without mentioning Slocum's Sailing Alone Around the World as he was the inspiration for many of the following authors. He fixed a wrecked hulk of a sloop in a field in CT that he was given for free (as a joke) then proceeded to sail alone around the world (as the title would lead you to believe). At the time everyone thought that it would be impossible and likely suicidal to try and sail a boat so small around the globe and he apparently caused quite a stir when he did.

Of course The Long Way by Bernard Moitessier is an absolute classic for sailing literature. His was an account of the Golden Globe non-stop solo circumnavigational race, so there's not really any island hopping or drinks in paradise, but his writing is amazing and really gets to the zen of being at sea. He also named his boat JOSHUA after Cpt. Slocum mentioned above.

Jack London loved to sail and had a ketch (I thought it was a schooner, and Amazon page says schooner, but looking on GIS looks more like a ketch) built and sailed around the South Pacific and wrote about it in The Cruise of the Snark. London has some really funny commentary in there and it's a hell of a good read.

Last, and most expensive, is South Sea Vagabonds by John Wray. This book has been out of print for a little while and apparently is in high demand by looking at the price now. The cheapest I've ever seen it is between $40 and $50. I got my copy from a seller on eBay that lived in New Zealand for about $25 USD but after shipping ended up being about $40 total. That said, it was worth every penny. John Wray got fired from his job for daydreaming about sailing all day and since he had nothing but time on his hands decided to make a boat. Found all his wood on beaches and used his friends sailboat to haul it back to a mill, used a motorcycle and trailer to haul it from the mill to his house, then built a sloop with no prior ship-building experience. He sailed it all around the South Seas on various adventures and, like London, is a great and humorous author. Keep an eye out on ebay and used book sites for this one at a decent price (or find a library to borrow it from) because I guarantee that it's worth the effort and cash.

If you're into tall ships I just finished The Peking Battles Cape Horn by Irving Johnson which was a quick but thoroughly entertaining read. I'm now working my way through Two Years Before the Mast which is an amazing insight into the life of the merchant marine in the early 19th century aboard a square rigger.

Annapolis Book of Seamanship is the modern equivalent of Chapman's. Highly recommended and a great coffee table book.

This is the Chapman's that people are thinking of, and it's still completely legitimate, but I would recommend ABOS over it. You need to go into ANY reading regarding cruising with this anyway:

1. there's more than one right way to sail
   
   
2. there's always a more modern way of sailing
   
   Chapman's is outdated but it's not wrong. There are better ways of doing many things in it but you're going to do well to know the history as well.
   
   John Kretschmer is my favorite (right now) author as far as long distance sailing and storms. There are lots of good ones out there though.
   
   I recommend this podcast as well. Unbelievably good cruising podcast; Andy and Mia are great. And it will turn you on to a wealth of information.
   
   If you want racing resources or tell me specifically what you want to get into as far as sailing goes I can tailor my response to that.

I've kind of amassed a library. I'm a rank amateur, but here's what I've found helpful in at least orienting myself so far (I'm still working my way through these on a "total readthrough" basis, but I've flipped through and skimmed all of them) in the order that you should probably read them. Also, I've spent the last six months skulking around every sailing forum on the Internet.

I've found the greatest barrier of sailing for someone trying to get into it for the first time is understanding the language, and the second greatest is understanding the mechanical workings of the rig and how it physically interacts with the wind. These books have been super helpful in that respect. I can't speak to how much in the way of practical skill they may have imparted, but I know infinitely more about the subject than I did a few months ago.

• The Complete Sailor, Second Edition (mentioned already)
  
• The Sailing Handbook
  
• Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual
  
• The Sailmaker's Apprentice
  
• The Complete Rigger's Apprentice
  
• The Gaff Rig Handbook
  
• Hand, Reef, and Steer
  
  Those last two are because I despearately want a Gaff rig. If you're not planning on ever dealing with a Gaffer, you don't need them at all. If you only want to buy one of the books on the list, make it The Complete Sailor.
  
  There's also a bunch of online resources, such as about.com's "how to sail a small sailboat" article and ESPECIALLY the boating section of Animated Knots which can teach you a ton of knots.
  
  Hope that helps!

Glad to be able to share.

If you find the story of Moitessier's race interesting, Robin Knox-Johnston provides a really interesting counterpoint with "A world of my own"

He is the British stalwart plucky "stiff upper-lip" counterpoint to the frenchman's "I go because i must and the rest will happen"

"A Voyage for Madmen" is a great summary of all the viewpoints in that race, which includes a lot of great info from Nigel Tetley, and Donald Crowhurst (subject of the Deep Water documentary) whose books I haven't yet collected.

Another great collection I have surround the Vendee Globe race of 96-97 include "Godforsaken Sea" as a good overall coverage of the race which included the death of a competitor, and miraculous rescue of another by his fellow racer Pete Goss, whose "Close to the wind" is another plucky british tale of plugging on against all odds.

I'd love to see what you finally submit, so if you want to throw it up somewhere when you're done, pass along a link.

I'm sure you already are but if not, start keeping eyes on the local used boat market. Wait and watch then pick your pitch. If it's too good to be true, it probably is BUT there are motivated sellers. People buy 2nd boats before selling their current one all the time, people inherit boats they can't afford upkeep on, people leave them at boat yards. This is especially true for smaller and older boats where the annual storage and upkeep can exceed the value of the boat itself.

Set up a separate bank account and figure out your annual cost of ownership. Start getting used to setting that money aside automatically each month. It'll give you a head start on your sinking fund so any early upgrades or repairs don't sting as much.

I watched and saved for 3 years until I was able to make a late-season steal on a well cared for Cal 2-25. Owner bought it for 6k, was paying 3500 for a slip and 1600 for winter storage. He was asking 5k but I waited until late in the season and offered 3400 pointing out the fact that he's breaking even on asking price by avoiding the looking winter storage. We settled on 3800 and we took ownership with 2+ months of the sailing season left.

While you're preparing, read the following books:

• Buy, Outfit, Sail: How To Inexpensively and Safely Buy, Outfit, and Sail a Small Vessel Around the World https://www.amazon.com/dp/1456310038/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Hi8YzbQ3KFZYY
  
• Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual: Including Inspecting the Aging Sailboat, Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair, Sailboat Refinishing, Sailbo (International Marine-RMP) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071462848/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lj8YzbYPNZDPR

Putting a bluebook value on boats is really difficult. The equipment and condition can vary so greatly from one boat to another that it would be impractical to group them all together.

In my experience, the best way to get a feel for the value of a boat is to look at a lot of boats. Check out many listings of boats that are in your target size/style, and go and check them out. Even take photos and make notes so it's easy to remember what features were with which boats. Eventually you will come across one that just seems to be a good value when compared to the others that you have seen. It's a bit more time consuming this way, but I feel that you'll get a better boat in the long run using this method.

The problem with surveys is that many surveyors just don't do a thorough job. I wouldn't pay for a survey for a boat until I was quite certain that it was a boat I was ready to purchase. And even still, for a boat of this price a survey may not be worth it. Grabbing a copy of This Old Boat by Don Casey may be worth far more to you than paying for a professional survey since you'll be able to use the information on many boats, and you'll learn a lot about your future boat in the process.

I know I'm not really giving you a solid answer but I'm not familiar with the market in Seattle, and as you've mentioned, location can make quite a difference in the listing/selling prices.

Good luck!

As the widely varying answers in this thread suggest, the size of the boat is far from the sole criterion you should be considering; people have traversed the oceans in rowboats. It's not comfortable, but it CAN be done.

Instead, you should ask yourself the question "What do I want to accomplish, and what are the options available to me within my budget?" The Pardeys circumnavigated in a 24-footer that I would find extremely cramped, but they were competent sailors, knew what they enjoyed, and they did a great job of it.

If you're thinking about production boats, this book would be a good place to get you started. In the end, it's a combination of factors having to do with you, the boat, and the way you intend to sail her.

This isn't an answer to your specific question, but maybe it's helpful: The Complete Sailor, 2nd Edition has good sections on leaving from and returning to moorings and docks. Understanding the strategy and practicing in a safe place seems like the best way to learn.

Caveat: I've never sailed before. I'm just preparing to learn.

2 months ago. I just lightly tossed the conversation her way. I watch youtube videos all the time.

2 months ago I got "I would never give up my house to live on a boat full time"

Friday i brought it up again and it changed to. "That sounds interesting. I could see us going on like a 3 month long cruise to see if we like it.

From reading the Voyagers Handbook and watching MANY other videos this is how it goes. Women are always more resistant because they like security.. but it all changes when you leave the dock and start living it.

I dont know how many people I have watched that said.

"Yea we put stuff in a storage locker.. I dont think we will ever go back to that stuff"

It is funny reading both books and seeing that this is how this goes. Initial resistance and then.. they get more gung ho about it than you when they start seeing it is possible and you can actually live closer/better.

There is a reason there was like 10 youtubers last year and now there is like 300 and more every week..

all jokes aside.. I bought this last saturday

http://www.amazon.com/Voyagers-Handbook-Essential-Guide-Cruising/dp/0071437657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452195215&sr=8-1&keywords=voyagers+handbook

and it isnt like a how to cruise book. This is a book that details the WHOLE process of how you go from working 9-5 to how you get you and your wife to sell everything and full time cruise. It is like a damn walkthru..

based on your posting you should get the book and we could compare notes.



that 35 footer is gorgeous.. and.. looks like "move in" ready shape.

Hey, congrats, you have a budget. The downside though is your budget is pretty small for a world cruiser. You're going to be limited to older boats in the 26-30ft range and even then you may need to save up some to equip some addons like a liferaft, windvane and maybe a SSB radio or something for weather.

A start would be here: http://www.atomvoyages.com/planning/good-old-boats-list.html

You can also start with this book: http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Small-Sailboats-Take-Anywhere/dp/0939837323

I wouldn't start collecting equipment now. I'd be looking a good solid core boat that you like the layout on that fits your current budget with some money left over. I'd then start cruising more locally on it first and then add the gear you want and need on her for an ocean cruise. Basically shake her down and learn on her with smaller cruises, then work up to bigger ones.

But you want that good solid base of a boat first. Something you can really trust to keep you safe in bad weather and rough seas.

Another option would be to just crew on other people's boats who are cruising the world.

Check out a couple of books by Nigel Calder. I recommend starting with Nigel Calder's Cruising Handbook as it's a pretty good general overview of everything you need to know for cruising, then try Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual as a guide to all of the stuff that you will spend all of your free time fixing and maintaining. I also have Marine Diesel Engines. He does a great job of explaining everything you need to know in an accessible way. He manages to get to some pretty advanced skills without assuming very much previous knowledge.

This title is on Netflix currently. Glad you pointed it out!

I haven't watched this, yet. Seeing the comments about Crowhurst and Moitessier piqued my interest, though. I will watch it tonight.

When I saw the name I assumed it was the movie about the couple stranded in the middle of the ocean Open Water.. a though so terrifying to me that I have no interest in exploring it for entertainment purposes.

If you haven't read it, the book A Voyage for Madmen (NYTimes book review, Amazon link) is a really great read.

Reading Moitessier (he published several excellent titles about his voyages over the years, including his account of this race) leads me to believe he was far from mad. He simply came to realize what he valued most highly while it was still within his power to achieve it. We should all be so fortunate.

I was pretty much you last summer. Land locked state, no sailing club close by, no relatives or friends who sail, and a burning desire to get out on the water.

I was able to learn to sail in four steps:

1. Read a beginners book on how to sail. The book I chose to read was The Complete Sailor by David Seidman. http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Sailor-Second-Edition/dp/0071749578 This was a fantastic book that was only $10 bucks for the pdf version. It is well written and contains some fantastic illustrations. Talks about everything from keeping a sailors eye on the wind and weather, to docking and anchoring, and even has a chapter on trailering your sailboat if I recall correctly. Also Inspecting the Aging Sailboat by Don Casey was a fantastic read to help a brand new buyer have some idea of what to watch out for and what questions to ask when buying a used boat. http://www.amazon.com/Inspecting-Sailboat-International-Marine-Library/dp/0071445455/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449298309&sr=1-1&keywords=inspecting+the+aging+sailboat
   
   
2. Buy a small, cheap boat. I decided to start small and limited myself to getting a dinghy sailboat that was under a thousand dollars. I have heard that starting on a dinghy is ideal. Learning sailing theory in small, responsive craft will help you when/if you move up to larger keel boats where it isn't as obvious that you are making small mistakes. A thousand dollars is easy to make at a summer job. The repairs on small boats are really cheap and if things break your not usually out much money. You will learn the fundamentals in an environment where mistakes like bumping into the dock are not overly disastrous.
   
   
3. Watch YouTube videos. I ended up purchasing a Hobie 16 after reading the books. I had the gentleman I purchased it from help me step the mast and raise the main before I finally bought the boat. No test sail, just did it right there in his front yard. Most people will be more than happy to help you rig it up the first time if you just ask. Afterwards I hit Youtube and watched videos on how to rig the boat to make sure I had it right. Searched for more videos about "How to sail a Hobie 16" and watched all the videos I could find.
   
   
4. Practice, practice, practice. After I had watched several videos, read the books, and set the sails up in the yard it was time to get out on the water. I literally just picked a day with 2-3 mph of wind, put the boat in the water and went for it. Once I was actually out and sailing, the details worked themselves out. I watched even more videos and asked Reddit the occasional question.
   
   I was able to go from no sailing experience to flying hulls in 20~ mph wind inside of a summer with this method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c105II-L8OA Far from perfect, but we are having a blast. I think a teenager would be able to pull of a similar feat with no problems. You will find fumbling around on the water is far better than dreaming from the shore.
   
   
   
   
   

Hey friend. Pilot/Sailor here. There are parallels between aviation and sailing..absolutely, but my advice would be to approach sailing with the same independence with which you approached flying, initially.

There is an ENORMOUS body of information for potential "cruisers" available on line, luckily. I recommend that you hit the forums on Sailnet.com, for starters.

Boat-length isn't really the driving force behind your decision, so much as stability and ease of handling. Ease into the information you read through, and disseminate thusly which sort of cruiser you aspire to be. There are TONS of options.

Bluewaterboats.org
& this (basically a rod machado's take on sailing.)

That's great - glad you had a good time

If you or your buddies are book types, I would suggest you introduce them to a couple of books

The first "Two Years Before The Mast" - by Richard Henry Dana - there is a passage in that book that ends with an eloquent statement about sails and sailing...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Tallships/comments/9kacom/star_of_india_all_sails_set_sept_30_2018_we_sail/

It's about the sails ... ``How quietly they do their work!''

The scene - 1834 - Student at Harvard basically says: Screw this college stuff, I'm going to be a sailor - he walks down to the ship yards and signs a 2 year contract, sails around the horn visits southern California, and returns to Boston. Along the way, he keeps a journal and it becomes a master piece.

Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Years_Before_the_Mast

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Years-Before-Mast-Signet-Classics/dp/0451531256

Book #2 - Is about an old captain - his life story before the book is amazing by it self

Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_Alone_Around_the_World

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Alone-Around-Joshua-Slocum/dp/0486203263

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I think you're getting a lot of good advice because

1. You've identified your needs and background
   
   
2. You've pointed out a bunch of specific boats you're thinking about.
   
   In addition to what's already been said on this thread, I'll point out a book I try and always recommend highly to folks looking at buying older sailboats. It'll really help you zero in on what to look for as you're sizing up older boats in terms of condition.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Inspecting-Sailboat-International-Marine-Library/dp/0071445455
   
   The other thing to realize is that there absolutely no need to be in any kind of hurry. Buy in haste, repent at leisure. It's ALWAYS a buyer's market for old 70s vintage 30footish sailboats. Even if any of these gets snapped up, another one will come along.
   
   EDIT: one more thing. Do consider where the boat is currently moored, and find out if you can transfer the slip to your name. Finding a place to keep a boat can be a hassle. And if it's already in a good location for you, that can be a plus and can save you some work once you own the boat. I wouldn't make that the overriding concern. But could definitely be a tie-breaker between otherwise comparable boats.
   

http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Track-Sailing-Learn-Three/dp/0071615199/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1J4DZ3N7YF0RQ&coliid=I2B25B3Z0DNFA9

http://www.amazon.com/Annapolis-Book-Seamanship-Edition-Revised/dp/0684854201/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345094921&sr=8-1&keywords=Annapolis+seamanship

As former instructor and 45+ years of sailing...2 good books for beginners. Colgate's Fast Track gives a very concise, clearly written 3 day program. A better 3 day jump start than any other I've found. Focuses on the core skillset to survive your first few missions. The Annapolis book is your in-depth comprehensive reference for all sailing related subjects. Way to thick to read straight through. Use it like an encyclopedia.

Knot books:
This book is great for the basic, every day kind of knots. I'd suggest this one to get the basics down.
If you have a lot of time/money/desire to learn knots, this is the knot bible. It is awesome. I found a used copy in good condition for cheap, so if you have a used bookstore, I'd suggest poking around in there for a copy. This book is HUGE (600+ pages) and incredible. However, it is somewhat excessive, with a lot of knots you'll probably never use.
As for sailing books, I like this one for explaining the basics. It not only explains how to do certain maneuvers, but why. The example on proas tacking is one of my favorites.

I'd recommend signing up for a basic class at a sailing school. Hands on learning will get you where you want to go much faster.

Additionally I'd recommend High Performance Sailing by Frank Bethwaite which is absolutely great even for beginners that only have a basic understanding of what a boat is made up of. This is probably why I say additionally, because you'll want to combine it with a class. Learning by doing is still a mantra even if you're a very theoretical person.

The book has a lot of information on wind, trim (sail shape and position), handling, and a bunch more things and presents it in a clear way on top of that. It's also a bit more in-depth than other books I've read that just preach old ideas about trim, this actually explains it.

I know you said books are not right because of time, but I still want to highly recommend The Complete Sailor, Second Edition.

Amazing intro book on sailing. Amazon Prime in just a few days if you can wait that long!

I like that mug! Great handle.

I didn't include a link to the book because there are so many re-printings. I've got a nice hardcover that also could make a good coffee table book. This is it. Had to go find it, again.

I'm in the same spot for dreaming about sail cruising after the kids move out. I really enjoy listing to the podcasts on https://www.59-north.com/ and really want to sign up for an ocean passage with the company. Meanwhile I'm studying the The Annapolis Book of Seamanship and following a couple of folks on youtube like https://www.youtube.com/user/drakeParagon. With all my armchair browsing on Yachtworld I'm always searching in the 20'-30' foot range for affordable daydreaming. A rule of thumb I've heard is to have triple the boat price saved up. I like the saying I've heard of "Go Small, Go Simple & Go Now"

If you pull that off shoot me a message and I will email him all the pictures. Another thing I will suggest is a book called "This Old Boat" http://www.amazon.com/This-Old-Boat-Second-Completely/dp/0071477942 I have the first ed. but I am sure its all still there. It is a great reference on restoring all kinds of boats but especially older smaller sailboats.

I'd just like to point out that although the Bernoulli effect is secondary, it is in fact still very important. If thrust were the only force at play, then sailing faster than the wind would not be possible. Yet it theoretically is. Picture a properly tuned airfoil effectively tapping in to the internal energy of the fluid in which it moves. Moreover, the experienced sailor knows that optimal sail performance utilizes the residual air flow from the foresail to aid in inducing laminar flow around the main sail. That is why the physics is such that the mainsail is a more efficient sail per area, as the foresail aids in the lift of the mainsail by reducing turbulence. Sources: 1) A Manual of Sail Trim
and 2) Sail Power

If you want to race in a straight line in strong wind then yes wider is better. But races for small sailboats are usually conducted on short courses with many turns, and if the boat is too wide it becomes too slow to turn.

This book has a section explaining this: https://www.amazon.com/High-Performance-Sailing-Faster-Techniques/dp/1408124912

I charter right now, OCSC is A-B-C docks. I don't know anyone who knows diesels, sorry. But I have worked on motorcycle engines (never cracked the case open, though). Between that, whatever you know, and this, you might be in good shape. I'm willing to give it a go if you are, anyway.

Best of luck!

Don't worry about the type of boat. Educate yourself to make an informed decision

http://amzn.com/0071445455

http://amzn.com/0393033112

Make a list of the characteristics you absolutely MUST have when purchased or cost you must factor in to modify the boat. E.g.

1. Must be able to cross the atlantic (factor in costs of life raft, storm gear, epirb, ais, etc)
   
   
2. Must be able to be sailed single handed (e.g. does it come with a self steering windvane or will you have to purchase one?)
   
   
3. Must have headroom of at least _ ft in.
   
   
4. Must be able to sleep ____ many people at sea
   
   
5. etc
   
   
   Practical matters:
   
   
6. You are willing to sail the boat back ____ many miles from where you bought it to where you're keeping it considering that it most likely won't be offshore capable when you buy it.
   
   
7. Go to yachtworld.com and browse the boats in this area and on craigslist. Create a list of boats you like, what the gear is, and how much they cost. Watch the markets for at least 6 months before you buy.
   
   
8. Start visiting these boats in your area. A picture of a boat is a lot different than what the boat looks like in real life and what your expectations are. For instance I was looking at westsail 32s and contessa 32s until I was on both types of boat and realized neither were for me.
   
   
   Now, as you visit all these boats calculate your total cost of ownership
   
   TCO = x + y + z
   
   x = the total cost of the boat after broker fees, documentation fees, registration fees, import fees, taxes, etc.
   
   y = the cost of the modifications that you wish to make (multiplies by two if you have never owned a boat before)
   
   z = the cost of moorage + power for ___ many years before you go cruising full time. Keep in mind that if you get a multihull you will be paying a premium for moorage. Do not underestimate this cost.
   

What did they re-core the decks with? Older boats are cheaper then newer boats. This doesn't necessarily equate to problems but if everything seems in fair shape, you could look into a survey to make sure it all checks out. The main issues from older boats is rot, either the core or interior's. LifeCaulk (which is what was used on most all of the hardware) has a lifespan of 10 Years, max. They used to claim it was good for the life of the boat, and a lot of people never took up the hardware to rebed it. Causing leaks. The windows/portholes also are something to look at for leaks.

You should probably pick up this book, https://amzn.com/0071445455 read it over and as always with a large investment get it survey'd.

Oh wow, I have not read that one - I'll have to get a copy.

I've gotten much enjoyment out of reading Royce's Sailing Illustrated, Capable Cruiser by Lin & Larry Pardey [along with everything else by them], and the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, among others.

The Complete Sailor is an awesome book - use the Look Inside feature to check out the illustrations - they give the book a lot of character so it's great for a coffee table or for casual reading. Might be a little too novice for a 1-year sailor, unless your dad hasn't had much formal instruction.

As mentioned already, Chapman's is good - it's the bible for any waterman. However, it has so much stuff there's very little on sailing (only 40 pages on the topic). It won't tell you much about sail trim, for example. But it covers a lot - I read it cover to cover last year and if I retained anything (I didn't) I'd be a damn genius.

I can't wait for The Annapolis Book of Seamanship to come out with it's much needed 4th edition in January. I hear this is the bible for sailors, but I haven't picked it up since I'm waiting for that new edition. But only because it has more electronics/GPS mentions - I'm sure all the actual sailing stuff is the same between the two.

Highly highly recommend The Complete Sailor by David Seidman. Not sure why but I find myself reading and re-reading this one more than Chapman (which is another must have). Happy hunting!

The Complete Sailor, Second Edition, by David Seidman is the best beginner book I have found. It covers a lot of ground and is very clear in what it covers.

Once you've read Slocum's book, check out The Long Way, By Bernard Moitessier.

Some other books I highly recommend, especially if you're setting out alone

• [One Hand For Yourself, One For The Ship, by Tristan Jones] (http://www.amazon.com/One-Hand-Yourself-Ship-Essentials/dp/0924486031/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345689272&sr=1-1&keywords=one+hand+for+yourself) sexy title!
  
  
• What Shape Is She In Seriously, get this book and take it with you when you start looking at getting a boat.
  
  
• Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen Forget your gps, get a sextant and do it for real.

I've read a lot of sailing books. Slocum is good, but it can feel a bit archaic at times. In my opinion the book that truly captures the spirit of sailing is http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Way-Bernard-Moitessier/dp/0924486848 - It's the closest thing to a bible I'll ever own.

I have enjoyed these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756689694/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071350993/

Edit 1 to add: Also, for entertaining reading, Joshua Slocum's book and Voyage for Madmen

Definitely. You'll save A LOT of pennies too, more than you could possibly imagine right now.

One option if you want to get going sooner is to buy an engineless beater, and Don Casey's book, and get going: http://www.amazon.com/Caseys-Complete-Illustrated-Sailboat-Maintenance/dp/0071462848/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1370306245&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Boatowners-Mechanical-Electrical-Manual-Essential/dp/0071432388 This will help you fix nearly everything. It's slightly technical but has very good information.

Best investment you can make! Everyone should have this on their boat! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0071432388?pc_redir=1397569458&robot_redir=1

one of the best books i've read is called "sail power" by Wallace ross??/

http://www.amazon.com/Sail-Power-Complete-Guide-Handling/dp/0394727150

The latest one i picked up is;
http://www.amazon.com/Keelboat-Sportsboat-Racing-Glyn-Charles/dp/1898660379/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380591287&sr=1-9&keywords=keelboat

I've had people here recommend me some good books on this topic:

Inspecting the Aging Sailboat - Don Casey

For fiberglass specifically:
Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats - Henry C. Mustin

Buy this book, it's great!

Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual: Including Inspecting the Aging Sailboat, Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair, Sailboat Refinishing, Sailbo https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071462848/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tiBTybADK132Z

This is a great reference! https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0071477942/ref=sr_1_4_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1506370390&sr=8-4&keywords=don+casey

I have a copy of that book - I don't remember it as being very good.

David Seidman's The Complete Sailor - it's so good that it defies words; it's hard to explain how clear and well-structured it is.

Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0939837323/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CAPWCb34QV9EG

These will be more in the civic line, although in terms of good little work horses, they can usually still play.

In addition to the other great advice, I'd suggest reading The Complete Sailor, and to emphasize, sail as much as you can.

So, coastal cruiser, homebase Maine, 'Snowbird' itinerary.

That leaves the budget question as the big variable we need if you want specific recommendations. You can do this at many different $$$ levels...but the boat selection and priorities will change.

This is a good place to start: Greg Nestor - "Twenty affordable sailboats to take you anywhere"

http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Affordable-Sailboats-Anywhere-ebook/dp/B00422LH04/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368355828&sr=1-1&keywords=Nestor+sail

If you need to go for less $$$...that means either smaller, older, or more 'sweat equity' by you. Don't give up here. Many sailors have years of fullfilling cruising under the 'go small, go simple, go early' approach. Refer to this very similar book by John Vigor - "Twenty small sailboats to take you anywhere"

http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Small-Sailboats-Take-Anywhere/dp/0939837323/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1368355337&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=Vigor+sail

Plan on 50% of purchase cost, additional, to put it right, depending on the boat and your plans. Strongly consider a survey for the boat that is the "one". They cost too damn much to do more than one, but can save you from that BIG mistake.

The three books about the first Golden Globe solo round the world race:

• The Long Way by Bernard Moitessier
  
• World of My Own by Robin Knox-Johnston
  
• The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst by Nicholas Tomalin and Ron Hall
  
  The first two are autobiographical. All three are great reads about the first solo round the world race.

I taught myself to sail with this book.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0684854201

Read it, bought a boat, and started practicing. Have fun!

THIS:

>Once you've read Slocum's book, check out The Long Way, By Bernard Moitessier.

He was fascinating.

Start with the classic, "Sailing Alone around the World", by Joshua Slocum. I would also recommend some other older accounts, such as Cruising under Sail, by Eric and Susan Hiscock.

Get to know Lin and Larry Pardey and their books.

For specific advice on boat systems, see Nigel Calder's books Nigel is a very clear and detailed writer.

It looks like a non-affiliate link according to this.

--

For a cleaner URL: amzn.com/0071437657

http://www.amazon.com/Inspecting-Sailboat-International-Marine-Library/dp/0071445455

This book is pretty something you may need to look at.

I've also read almost all the way through this book and found it very helpful:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Sailing-Manual-Third-Edition/dp/0756689694/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380854523&sr=8-1&keywords=the+new+complete+sailing+manual

Some good reading:

http://www.amazon.com/Cape-Horn-Starboard-John-Kretschmer/dp/1580801625/

http://www.amazon.com/World-My-Own-non-stop-voyage/dp/0713668997/

http://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Alone-Around-Joshua-Slocum/dp/0486203263/

http://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Way-Bernard-Moitessier/dp/0924486848/

http://www.amazon.com/Across-Islands-Oceans-Journey-Around/dp/1470004615/

http://www.amazon.com/Voyages-Extraordinary-Times-Larry-Pardey/dp/1929214987/

Bethwaite's High Performance Sailing is the bible of dinghy sailing.

I also found Helming to Win to be helpful

I really like Sail Power by Wallace Ross. It will teach you almost everything that you can learn about sailing and sailboats while on dry land.

Is this it? I'm thinking of getting it and want to make sure.

I've got the Sailing Bible. I hear the Annapolis Book of Seamanship is a must have as well.

Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea is also a great one. If you got frustrated watching All is Lost, you'll love reading Adrift.

If you have a boat you need to get "Don Casey's: This old boat" It will explain this repair as well as all other you might need.

John Vigors 20 small sailboats to take you anywhere:

https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Small-Sailboats-Take-Anywhere/dp/0939837323/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499492768&sr=8-1&keywords=20+small+sailboats+to+take+you+anywhere

Go get yourself a copy of "This old boat" by Don Casey. They should be widely available secondhand.

He recommends installing a second maintenance bilge pump with a smaller hose, which mops up whatever the big one lets back down again when it turns off the power.

I agree it’s not a reputable blue water boat, but the Catalina 27 is listed in Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere because many people have crossed oceans in it.

I remember reading in Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea that people who are found used an average of 10 flares before they were sighted. So, way more flares.

And definitely a water distiller, or two.

https://www.animatedknots.com/boating-knots

​

In addition to showing how to tie the knots, there is a lot of information about when and when not to use each knot.

​

And, unlike The Ashley Book of Knots, there is a reasonable number of knots.

​

Animated Knots would suggest that the halyard hitch might be what you are looking for,

​

https://www.animatedknots.com/halyard-hitch-knot

https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Madmen-Peter-Nichols/dp/0060957034

Everything you need to know is in this book.

Buy it, read it, and go from there.

Buy a book!

Inspecting the Aging Sailboat (The International Marine Sailboat Library). https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0071445455/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cbDqDb8T5QNS7

http://www.amazon.com/This-Old-Boat-Second-Edition/dp/0071477942

this is the book you are looking for

For all knots and uses there is a book called Ashley's book of knot's it has all the knots you need to know and more

Link to the book: https://www.amazon.com/Ashley-Book-Knots-Clifford-W/dp/0385040253

Ross, Sail Power

Marchaj, several books, and another

Joshua Slocum
http://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Alone-Around-Joshua-Slocum/dp/0486203263/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408214112&sr=1-1&keywords=joshua+slocum

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

http://www.amazon.com/Annapolis-Book-Seamanship-3rd-Revised/dp/0684854201

The book “the long way” is a must read for sailors

https://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Bernard-Moitessier/dp/0924486848/ref=nodl_

High Performance Sailing by Frank Bethwaite link

Although targeted at racers (specifically dinghy and high-performance racers) there is so much good info about how wind works, how sails work, how to approach waves in different scenarios, why some boats that look fast aren't...

The grand-daddy of them all: Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship

Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea - not to scare you, rather to prepare you.

[Dove] (https://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Alone-Around-Joshua-Slocum/dp/0486203263)


[Sailing Alone Around The World] (https://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Alone-Around-Joshua-Slocum/dp/0486203263)

[The Long Way] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0924486848/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496093457&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=the+long+way+sailing&dpPl=1&dpID=51L%2Btgd-fQL&ref=plSrch)

Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum

Gipsy Moth Circles the World by Sir Francis Chichester

And the books that really got me into sailing as a child:

The Swallows and Amazons series by Arthur Ransome

Oh man: https://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Alone-Around-Joshua-Slocum/dp/0486203263

1896 solo round the world sail (the wrong way). So extraordinary.

Every sailboat is rigged differently, although there are many common basic features. So, there's no way for anyone to provide much of a response to an overly broad question. But, if you are just getting going, there's plenty you can do to get a bit more know-how.

When I began, before I started taking some lessons, I read a lot. My brother got me this for Christmas and I read it through and through:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Sailing-Manual-Third-Edition/dp/0756689694

That should get you going. The next step is to find instruction and get on the water.

Things you can do while you figure out how to get on the water:

• practice bowline and hitch knots, you use them every sail basically so get good
  
• get your gear together: knife, PFD, shoes, wet gear
  
• watch some videos
  
  But, there is no substitute for getting out on the water. What city are you in?