(Part 2) Top products from r/sailing

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.

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.

I think this is possibly the best: The Complete Sailor. Cleanly written, beautifully illustrated, and I learn something new every time I open it.

Btw, professional lessons are a relatively new invention. People have been learning to sail from their friends and neighbors for thousands of years, and all of the sailors I know are happy to pass that knowledge along. You might be better off, and save a ton of money, by joining a sailing club. Plus that way once you have a boat you'll have a group of peers to crew with you, go on cruises together, etc.

Being someone that day-dreams about sailing most of the year through but has yet to get a whole lot of nautical miles under my belt, I can kinda feel for you in the position you're in. My best advice to you, though, is two-fold. The first is sail as much as you can on other, more experienced sailors' boats. Or try sailing dinghies for a season and hone your chops on some small craft.

My other advice is to read your ass off. Read websites, forums and threads on sailing, watch movies/documentaries/instructionals etc, and explore your library's sailing section. This thread isn't exclusive to learning how to circumnavigate, but check out the top suggestions I made - namely the two books by the Hiscocks. Also check out Voyaging on a Small Income by Annie Hill - pretty much the authority on low-cost cruising from what I've read. And you're in luck because two years ago when I bought it I don't think it was in print...

I can try and dig up more good books for you if you like, though at the moment I'm going to turn in. There are so many great books about sailing covering so many topics. As anxious as you are to start sailing I suggest you take the time to read as much as you can and then put that knowledge to practice before heading out.

Also, as a primer on what not to do, check out Desperate Voyage.

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.

This couple are my role models

Their log is a wonderful read and a good primer on how to go from landlubber to old salt. I'm working extremely hard on getting the cash together. Hoping to shove off in about 5 years.

Soloing is said to be extremely hazardous due to the need for poly-rhythmic sleep (15 minute sleep, 15 minutes wake... repeat for an entire crossing, up to 30 days).

Here's a great book about a kid who did it, starting in a 22 footer and after a very bad passage, upgraded to a 24. Left Hawaii single, came back with a wife and kid a few years later.

You don't need to have a huge boat. The old salts all seem to say the same thing... go with the smallest boat you can possibly be comfortable in. Bigger boats are more expensive and require more maintenance, and require more hands to control in foul weather. I hear lots of recommendations for 26-32 footers for living single, and 28-38 for couples.

Personally, I'm dreaming of a PDQ Altair catamaran, but its a pricey boat and it seems unlikely. I might shoot for a whitbey 42. It's a bit larger than many people recommend but everyone agrees it's built like a russian tank and is exceedingly comfortable.

I love both ideas! Thank you for including a link and brand name for the knife, too.

It’s funny you bring up the book of knots! He got a “practice knot” mug for Christmas from friends and has mentioned getting a kick out of that. (Amazon link)

I will absolutely look into both suggestions!

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.

Sailing Alone Around the World is the best known book that you're talking about. Slocum is the first to do it. It's also public - free as either an ebook or audiobook.

Moitissier (The Long Way) is probably #2 most well known after Slocum. He's also prolific and an amazing writer. Just read some modern people (like Krestchmer before buying a steel boat on Moitissier's advice).

Your local power squadrons are a great idea if you're planning on larger cruising boats. But they do mostly course work classes for people who own their own boats or are planning on buying their own cruising boats.

Dinghy sailing just drop by your local dinghy sailing centre and ask them what their lessons start for.

The best book that I've ever found for learning how to sail is the following: http://www.amazon.com/Royces-Sailing-Illustrated-Patrick-Royce/dp/0894716964/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374379136&sr=8-1&keywords=royce%27s+sailing+illustrated

The best way to learn is to get out on the water though. Whatever avenue you take it should involve actually getting out there.

> just got CAD licenses from auto desk


I have access to SolidWorks but I'm not good with it, I still do pencil



>We were thinking of maybe using melted cans to cast / tig weld a hull



Take a look at the charts in the book "Boat Strength for Builders, designer and owners", the charts with formulas for aluminum compression are in ch 17.
. My trade is tool and die machining and I've been casting/welding/smithing for 20 years. Foundry/casting of beer cans is cute for youtube but if you want to withstands the rigors of the N Atlantic you're going to need 6160 aluminum.

> Not too long though


rules state 2.4m, that's less than 8'


What about dense foam with 'glass over the exterior, a free standing carbon fiber mast (1.6m height) in cat boat position, put batteries in the bottom of the keel for ballast. There's no need for a bilge or pump if there's no place for ingress water to collect.


>Considering a mechanical propulsion system to


Per the rules for sail: "The sailing class permits only wind power for propulsion. "


I've toyed with the idea of a semi-ridged shaped solar panel to provide sail area, the weight is still an issue.


>Maybe wind /wave driven power supply

Power consumption will make or break this mission. Wind and wave power supply both create drag, this is a race after all. A 2.4m long deck gives enough surface area for solar but the best route in the current goes quite far N and the angle of heel is not good for charging.


The rules state the vessel must check in every 6 hours, that will be the largest power consumption if the vessel uses traditional windvane steering and celestial navigation, if enough battery power is held to run all systems for 28 days the solar can be the backup power.


>if they could do it with a sextant on a rocking deck

poach the gimbal from an old Wii controller, take 60 images in 60 seconds, that will give enough data for roll compensation. Also, the N Atlantic is foggy and cloudy where the arctic air meets the gulf stream, taking a gps reading every 6 hours to backup celestial would use less power than constant connection.

Edit: Would you like to get your team together for a brain storming session via video conference?

Seaman ship in the age of sail is a good one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0870219553?pc_redir=1395279573&robot_redir=1

The Young Sea Officer's Sheet Anchor is marvelous aswell
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0486402207/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SL500_SY115
And if your interested about knots
The Marlinespike Sailor
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0070592187/ref=pd_aw_sims_6?pi=SL500_SY115

When I got into dinghy sailing, I was obsessed with Royces Sailing Illustrated. I don't know how up to date it is, but I loved reading it.

Also, I may be biased, since my godfather wrote it, but Winning in One Designs is a great book, very accessible and super-informative.

I really like David Seidman's The Complete Sailor - it breaks down the basics of sailing so that each page, or pair of facing pages, presents a single simple concept or topic complete.

It's really well illustrated, so it's easy to understand, and you can just dip into it for a short while without feeling lost when you return.

I've read 3 different how to books now, and David Seidman's is definitely the best of them - the others cover some extra topics, but Seidman focuses on timeless essentials of sailing (points of sail, parts of the boat and rigging &c) and he does so perfectly and comprehensively.

The other books I've read have both used nautical terms, on occasion, which they have not previously defined. I really feel like Seidman shows some artistry, or spectacular craftsmanship, in the way his book is constructed so that the explanation of each topic uses only words and concepts that have already been explained.

Here are some sample pages I copied when someone else wanted more information about it.

I would add that you could probably read 5 or 10 books on sailing and, although there would be a lot of repetition between them, you'd also learn at least one thing from each one, still.

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.

Congrats! I recently read 'A world of my own', a chap sailed from the UK down the atlantic, across the southern indian ocean, south pacific, cape horn, and back up the atlantic to the UK in a 32' ketch single handed in 1968, I recommend you read it if you haven't! Happy sailing. Stay safe.
EDIT: Heres the book on Amazon, theres copies in the UK for 1p.

Haha! Around really hard core racers I feel that way all the time still. I just shut my mouth and nod sometimes. Being immersed in a new language helps some.

I found this book to be particularly helpful.

Nice man I go to SJSU and my sailing class there was awesome, even though it was just in a lake. But for a book I'd consider the ASA books:
https://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Made-Easy-American-Association/dp/098210250X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502261789&sr=8-1&keywords=asa+101
If you want to get ASA certified down the road you'll end up getting them anyways :p

The Sailmaker's Apprentice is good for folks who want to know what goes into a nice suite of sails and is loaded with info on how to do repairs as well as build a set from scratch.

http://www.amazon.com/Sailmakers-Apprentice-Emiliano-Marino/dp/0071376429

I second most of Nigel Calder's books and raise you Don Casey's books on hull and deck repair (glass) and electrics.

John Kretschmer's excellent and entertaining book Sailing a Serious Ocean has sections on selecting a bluewater yacht, with lists of specific models that describe exactly the attributes that make them seaworthy.

How To: Knots Coffee Mug - Learn How to Tie Eight Different Knots - Comes in a Fun Gift Box - by The Unemployed Philosophers Guild https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VKT9VK0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_eCj0CbENZ5MVP

Sometimes it does nothing, sometimes it sinks the boat. Electricity of that magnitude is very unpredictable.

Some boats have lightning grounding systems, and do tend to fare better.

I highly recommend the Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual, which includes a section on lightning protection systems.

I recommend The Complete Sailor and the ASA Basic Keelboat text Sailing Made Easy. Note that if you sign up for ASA 101 you should get Sailing Made Easy included.

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

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.

possibly with this, and just trying your hand at it a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/Sailmakers-Apprentice-Guide-Self-Reliant-Sailor/dp/0071376429/ref=sr_1_1/146-1267656-9307849?ie=UTF8&qid=1525417267&sr=8-1&keywords=sailmakers+apprentice

Also probably need a real sail sewing machine, not a cheap joeann fabrics type.

Hey, that's from Seamanship In The Age Of Sail! Here's a few other drawings that OP might enjoy:

http://imgur.com/a/gyvlj

Work random jobs at hotels when your in port for a month or so. Looks like he's a freelance photographer as well. Probably runs a website too. The most expensive part is getting the boat.

Edit: Awesome book on the subject

https://www.amazon.com/Sailboat-Electrics-Simplified-Don-Casey/dp/0070366497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487103072&sr=8-1&keywords=sailboat+electronics+simplified

Pretty much the gold standard.

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

--

For a cleaner URL: amzn.com/0071437657

Regarding financial stuff, this is very good:

http://www.amazon.com/Voyaging-Small-Income-2nd-Edition/dp/1888671378

I don't know of good resources online but if you can buy a book:

https://www.amazon.com/Winning-One-designs-Dave-Perry/dp/0976226146

I also like this one a lot: https://shop.ussailing.org/understanding-the-racing-rules-through-2020.html

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/

Just saw the last part of this sentence. Crewing for club races? In that case I have to recommend Winning In One Designs by Dave Perry to go along with the Racing Rules of Sailing

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.

Get a gel cell deep cycle battery, a battery box and an DC/AC inverter. The gell cell won't leak and if it's deep cycle you can run it all the way down and then re-charge it. Secure the battery box near the centerline somewhere and run the cable to the AC inverter. I would make my own removable box to house the battery and inverter, etc and give it a place to clip into and out of.


Use proper connectors and heat shrink wrap to keep corrosion and water from corroding your wires... this will keep fire hazard to a minimum.


If you want to go all out then you can install a solar charger, which would require a charge controller. If you go the permanent install route you should also install at least 1 or 2 breakers.


http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/05.htm
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/howto_lib.htm

or buy this book: http://www.amazon.com/Sailboat-Electrics-Simplified-Don-Casey/dp/0070366497

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.amazon.com/How-Coffee-Different-Unemployed-Philosophers/dp/B00VKT9VK0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1523232852&sr=8-4&keywords=knots+coffee+cup

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

The Dove -- By Robin Lee Graham

Teenager sets off to sail around the world in 1965 in a 24ft sloop.

This book is what turned me on to sailing when I was a kid. Got my first job at 13 and bought a sailboat. I've been sailing ever since.

Also look up Seamanship in the Age of Sail

Check out this one. Don Casey knows his stuff. Sailboat Electrics Simplified https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070366497/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TURMAbE79GNPE

Dove was the first book I ever read as a child.

Everything you need to know is in this book.

Buy it, read it, and go from there.

https://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Made-Easy-American-Association/dp/098210250X

I've seen this one recommended a lot https://www.amazon.com/Boatowners-Mechanical-Electrical-Manual-Calder/dp/0071790330/ref=pd_cp_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0071790330&pd_rd_r=1HPP9SJME5RFS1C0671Q&pd_rd_w=dtry3&pd_rd_wg=BcuIJ&psc=1&refRID=1HPP9SJME5RFS1C0671Q

https://www.amazon.com/Loose-Cannon-Flogs-Horse-Theres/dp/0070328773

Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual is highly recommended(and currently on sale).

[Sailing a Serious Ocean] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/007170440X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_pBn0CbCSWPKDY) : Sailboats, Storms, Stories and Lessons Learned from 30 Years at Sea - John Kretschmer

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

The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst. 'Cause sailing's not all rum cocktails and tropical anchorages. Crowhurst's story is a tragedy - a fascinating tragedy.

I'd also recommend A World of My Own by Robin Knox-Johnston. It's his story from the same race that Crowhurst was in. (Which is the same race that Moitessier writes about in The Long Way Home previously referenced here.)