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#1
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
wrote in message
ups.com... Is there a good book out there, that a beginner can read to learn basic sailing terminology and methods?? Thanks, Andy I'd second Richard's (cavelamb) suggestion. USSailing uses the Basic Keelboat book. It's not bad, but has some basic errors/omissions in it. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#2
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
"Capt. JG" wrote
I'd second Richard's (cavelamb) suggestion. USSailing uses the Basic Keelboat book. It's not bad, but has some basic errors/omissions in it. I'm thinking about getting myself a copy of BK. What should I look out for, error-wise? |
#3
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
"Ernest Scribbler" wrote in message
et... "Capt. JG" wrote I'd second Richard's (cavelamb) suggestion. USSailing uses the Basic Keelboat book. It's not bad, but has some basic errors/omissions in it. I'm thinking about getting myself a copy of BK. What should I look out for, error-wise? The errors are minor. One omission that I don't understand... not including how to tie a cleat hitch. The other is the calculation for anchor scope. They say 7:1 which is correct, but then say the total in 10 feet of water is 70, but that doesn't include the distance from the water to the deck where the anchor is located. I suppose on a small boat it doesn't matter, but for larger boats it does matter, especially if you're anchoring with less than 7:1 thinking you need less. I can't think of anything else right off. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#4
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
Capt. JG wrote:
The errors are minor. One omission that I don't understand... not including how to tie a cleat hitch. The other is the calculation for anchor scope. They say 7:1 which is correct ... There is nothing _wrong_ with 7:1, but at the same time there is nothing I know of that would lead one to label it "correct." Sometimes it's fine, sometimes too little, sometimes too much. I am assuming of course good, heavy, quality mooring gear and more than a merely nominal amount of chain. -- Good luck and good sailing. s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare |
#5
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
. .. Capt. JG wrote: The errors are minor. One omission that I don't understand... not including how to tie a cleat hitch. The other is the calculation for anchor scope. They say 7:1 which is correct ... There is nothing _wrong_ with 7:1, but at the same time there is nothing I know of that would lead one to label it "correct." Sometimes it's fine, sometimes too little, sometimes too much. I am assuming of course good, heavy, quality mooring gear and more than a merely nominal amount of chain. -- Good luck and good sailing. s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare Well, this is a newbie asking, so I don't like to get so complicated. The version I have doesn't describe the ratio properly. There are lots of considerations when anchoring. He asked about a book. I answered. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#6
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
"Capt. JG" wrote
Well, this is a newbie asking, so I don't like to get so complicated. Thanks, this newbie appreciates forebearance. What I find is that I might learn a few things that I can personally use from a typical sailing book, but the bulk of it tends to be stuff that I can't find much use for considering I do all my cruising on an inland river. For example, knowing how to maintain optimum catenary on my anchor rode is not nearly as useful to me, in my circumstances, as knowing how to hug the bank as a coal barge goes by. |
#7
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
Ernest Scribbler wrote:
"Capt. JG" wrote Well, this is a newbie asking, so I don't like to get so complicated. Thanks, this newbie appreciates forebearance. What I find is that I might learn a few things that I can personally use from a typical sailing book, but the bulk of it tends to be stuff that I can't find much use for considering I do all my cruising on an inland river. For example, knowing how to maintain optimum catenary on my anchor rode is not nearly as useful to me, in my circumstances, as knowing how to hug the bank as a coal barge goes by. I'm glad you understand that much of the advice will be overkill. People here like to discuss how their boat is setup for world cruising. Being prepared for one hurricane is not enough; you half to be prepared to handle 3 in one week! For instance, invoking the very concept the "catenary" is pedantic and not relevant to practical anchoring. The problem is that once a chain has completely assumed the catenary shape, it is virtually fully extended and about to be broken out. The purpose of an all chain rode or a kellet is to minimize the catenary and keep as much of the rode as possible sitting on the bottom. Likewise, the advise to have a duplicate of the primary anchor on hand may be appropriate for the world cruiser who must be prepared for anything, but is perhaps overkill for the "weekend warrior." Better advice might be to size the primary anchor one size up from the store recommendations, and have a second anchor that at least matches the recommendations. (Most boaters only have what cruisers would consider a "lunch hook.") Some people will advise only using all-chain, but if you don't have a windlass this could be a problem. And, on some bottoms chain can actually prevent anchors anchors from setting. The only thing you, as a beginner, can do, is find someone knowledgeable about anchoring your type of boat in your area, and pick their brain. Even then, you should take all advice with a grain of salt! As for books, there have been a number of good recommendations. Personally, I often advise Chapman's Piloting & Seamanship for beginners. It covers many aspects of boating, and although the advice is not very sophisticated, it is a sound foundation for the novice. |
#8
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
wrote in message
... On Fri, 7 Sep 2007 15:18:18 -0700, "Capt. JG" wrote: "Ernest Scribbler" wrote in message news:U6qdnSTsEfAGAXzbnZ2dnUVZ_sSlnZ2d@wvfibernet .net... "Capt. JG" wrote I'd second Richard's (cavelamb) suggestion. USSailing uses the Basic Keelboat book. It's not bad, but has some basic errors/omissions in it. I'm thinking about getting myself a copy of BK. What should I look out for, error-wise? The errors are minor. One omission that I don't understand... not including how to tie a cleat hitch. The other is the calculation for anchor scope. They say 7:1 which is correct, but then say the total in 10 feet of water is 70, but that doesn't include the distance from the water to the deck where the anchor is located. I suppose on a small boat it doesn't matter, but for larger boats it does matter, especially if you're anchoring with less than 7:1 thinking you need less. I can't think of anything else right off. Most texts include the freeboard as part of the calculation, but never mention the importance of calculating those figures based on high tide. That's even more important in many areas, where the tide swing may be 6, 8 or even more feet. If you just go by the texts, you might think you can determine how much rode to let out based on what your depth sounder says at the time of deployment. That could be a fatal miscalculation. Since these books and classes are designed for newbies, that needs to be stated emphatically. It usually isn't. There are many other variables as well. Use of a kellet can reduce the scope needed. Weather conditions, bottom type, and other considerations are also very important. I think the 7:1 rule is truly just a very rough baseline to start from. It's a minimum requirement. One rule that is hard to exceed: If you have enough clear swing room, you probably can't have too much scope. Oh yeah... always have at least one extra complete anchor and rode in case you lose your primary. It should be as capable as the primary setup in all regards. If your properly sized primary is a 25 pound bruce, that's what your spare should be. **** happens. Sure thing... all of that. It just wasn't the question. :-) -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#9
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Books on Sailing?
wrote in message
... On Fri, 7 Sep 2007 21:49:50 -0700, "Capt. JG" wrote: wrote in message . .. On Fri, 7 Sep 2007 15:18:18 -0700, "Capt. JG" wrote: "Ernest Scribbler" wrote in message news:U6qdnSTsEfAGAXzbnZ2dnUVZ_sSlnZ2d@wvfibern et.net... "Capt. JG" wrote I'd second Richard's (cavelamb) suggestion. USSailing uses the Basic Keelboat book. It's not bad, but has some basic errors/omissions in it. I'm thinking about getting myself a copy of BK. What should I look out for, error-wise? The errors are minor. One omission that I don't understand... not including how to tie a cleat hitch. The other is the calculation for anchor scope. They say 7:1 which is correct, but then say the total in 10 feet of water is 70, but that doesn't include the distance from the water to the deck where the anchor is located. I suppose on a small boat it doesn't matter, but for larger boats it does matter, especially if you're anchoring with less than 7:1 thinking you need less. I can't think of anything else right off. Most texts include the freeboard as part of the calculation, but never mention the importance of calculating those figures based on high tide. That's even more important in many areas, where the tide swing may be 6, 8 or even more feet. If you just go by the texts, you might think you can determine how much rode to let out based on what your depth sounder says at the time of deployment. That could be a fatal miscalculation. Since these books and classes are designed for newbies, that needs to be stated emphatically. It usually isn't. There are many other variables as well. Use of a kellet can reduce the scope needed. Weather conditions, bottom type, and other considerations are also very important. I think the 7:1 rule is truly just a very rough baseline to start from. It's a minimum requirement. One rule that is hard to exceed: If you have enough clear swing room, you probably can't have too much scope. Oh yeah... always have at least one extra complete anchor and rode in case you lose your primary. It should be as capable as the primary setup in all regards. If your properly sized primary is a 25 pound bruce, that's what your spare should be. **** happens. Sure thing... all of that. It just wasn't the question. :-) I was responding to the mention of how to calculate scope, and the incompleteness on that subject in the book. I know. However, I don't think it would be appropriate to go into a lot of stuff in a book such as that, which is really designed to teach the basics... e.g., the use of kellets. Much of this, even if discussed goes in one ear and out the other for beginners. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#10
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Books on Sailing?
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