Presents a practical A to Z guide to boating, with tips on maintenance, navigation, and seamanship.

The ultimate how-to reference book for sailors of all ages and all levels of ability, from choosing the right boat to high-performance racing, shown in over 800 step-by-step photographs and diagrams.

“Vigor is one of the finest boating writers of our time.”--Cruising World “You name it, it’s in here. Covers every boating situation. This book is both informative and entertaining.”--Latitudes & Attitudes “John Vigor is the answer guy if you’re having onboard arguments about nautical terminology or the science of sailing in general, and his new book lives up to the promise in its title.”--Good Old Boat Whether it’s boat maintenance, navigation, boat handling in all kinds of weather, or the physics of how boats function, every sailor and powerboater needs a comprehensive go-to source for specialized information. Now you have it with The Practical Encyclopedia of Boating: Addresses virtually every aspect of powerboating and sailing in 500 entries Covers seamanship and boat handling, navigation, routine boat maintenance, boat design and building, and nautical reference data Ranges from vital techniques--such as recovering overboard crew and measuring distances off--to essential concepts like reading the water and sky and evaluating a boat’s seaworthiness Includes numerous cross-references and an exhaustive index to direct you quickly to the right entry and to unify related topics Makes delightful browsing as well as a source of sound guidance for practically any boating situation

Aimed at sailboat owners of all kinds, this reference book contains 200 entries packed with solid practical advice and valuable tips. Each entry is categorized alphabetically and prefaced by an arresting statement, such as "People always lie about how fast their boats are." The reference format offers readers the opportunity to open the book at any page and browse endlessly. Cartoons by SAIL Magazine cartoonist Tom Payne enliven the text. A comprehensive appendix covers some 50 technical topics. Includes a Foreword by Don Casey. "...it is always interesting and very readable." —Sailing "Filled with practical advice, this book is a winner." — The Ensign "Vigor, who's written for several boating magazines, has brought his experience and sense of humor to bear on the less than ideal experiences of sailing—and he's even alphabetized them...It's fun to page through and you just might learn a thing or two." —Soundings: An Interdisciplinary Journal "This book is easy to read. It imparts some very valuable information in a fun package." — Good Old Boat "This is a great reference book for those just entering the world of sailing, and entertaining." — Latitudes & Attitudes "Vigor, who's written for several boating magazines, has brought his experience and sense of humor to bear on the less than ideal experiences of sailing—and he's even alphabetized them...It's fun to page through and you just might learn a thing or two." — Soundings

For the first time ever, a comparative survey of 95 percent of the fiberglass pocketcruising sailboats ever built Author Steve Henkel has researched hundreds of cruising sailboats less than 26 feet long--pocket cruisers--to create this definitive gallery and handbook of the small cruising sailboats built in the last 45 years. With detailed plans, specifications, performance indexes, and commentary for every model the author could find (360 in all!), The Sailor’s Book of Small Cruising Sailboats is your ideal core reference for the used and new boats you see on the water.

Aimed at boaters, this book is about building things of wood. Written by an experienced boatbuilder /designer, it presents joinery techniques and gimmicks that were born of trial and error. It provides alternative procedures for many of the projects, telling how to make them by Method A, Method B, and Method C.

Completely revised and updated to address changes in technology and safety standards, this new edition is the definitive guide to the art and science of sailing. Since the publication of the first edition in 1983, The Annapolis Book of Seamanship has set the standard by which other books on sailing are measured.

"An invaluable resource. [Vigor's] practical wisdom gives you the know-how and confidence to prepare your boat for the sea."--Cruising World. Here is the book that answer the sailor's fundamental question--"Can my boat take me offshore safely?"--then shows how to make it happen.