This tale of exploration and adventure is a warm account of the people and places around the waters of Southern Massachusetts.

The tale of Crusader, the jet-powered boat of 1952, appears to be a simple one about the ambition of John Cobb and Reid Railton, two unassuming but deeply gifted men, to break the water speed record on Loch Ness only for their efforts to end in tragedy. In fact the story behind that fateful outcome - Cobb's death on his first high-speed run - is a complex web of clever design and inspirational endeavour mixed with personality clashes and errors of judgement. After many years of research, including access to a wealth of original documentation, Steve Holter unravels the entire saga of the ill-fated Crusader and presents a compelling detective story.

Nathaniel G. Herreshoff was the greatest yacht and marine designer and builder this country has ever produced. Captain Nat Herreshoff is credited with the introduction of more new devices in the design of boats than any other ma, and the great yachts that he designed for the successful defense of the America's Cup caught the imagination of the world. The period of his greatest activity from 1890 to 1920 was known as "the Herreshoff Era," so greatly did his personality and the yachts he designed dominate the sport. He was a man of manifold talents and unusual genius and his career makes one of the most fascinating biographies. Many of closely guarded secrets of Captain Nat, the great master, are reveled in these pages which teem with human interest, philosophy and the accumulated wisdom of a long lived genius.

Flares Up is a true story of adventure, tenacity and the capacity of the human spirit to triumph over adversity.Firefighter Paul Hopkins, 55, survives a brain haemorrhage. The experience motivates him to undertake the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge - to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. He teams up with entrepreneur Phil Pugh, who is aged 65but renowned for undertaking extreme physical challenges in honour of his disabled son. They encounter major financial and physical setbacks, which cause years of delays and put a strain on both their marriages. Finally, on 12 December 2019, in a fourth-hand 20ft wooden boat, they set off from the Canary Islands. Violent storms, 30ft waves and equipment failure leave both men seasick, dehydrated and sleep-deprived. Alone on the ocean, they are forced to examine their lives. Was the decision to undertake this challenge brave, selfish or foolish? After 70 days, nine hours and 11 minutes at sea, they cross the finish line, two changed men. Will either of their wives be there to greet them?

Few people would want to test their mettle in an ice-encrusted boat with Ernest Shackleton, sail the Straits of Magellan with Joshua Slocum, or watch with Owen Chase as an angry whale sends his ship to the bottom, thousands of miles from the nearest land. But it's quite another thing to read these true accounts while settled into a favorite chair. Shackleton and Chase persevered in the face of travails that would have given even Job pause. Their stoic accounts are stronger and more dramatic for their total lack of affection, their frankness, and their lack of ego. Their gripping stories are custom made for the imaginative reader who seeks adventure in a more controlled environment, safe and warm, and well fed. "Civilized "readers with their armchairs anchored firmly to the living room floor.
Rich in drama and history, here are fifteen stories that will entertain, inform, and inspire--enduring stories that have attracted generations of readers.
With contributions from:
William Shakespeare
Aaron Smith
Joseph Conrad
Erskine Childers
Joshua Slocum
James Fenimore Cooper
Herman Melville
Richard Henry Dana
Jerome K. Jerome
Edgar Allan Poe
Richard Hakluyt
Robert Louis Stevenson
Owen Chase
Ernest Shackleton

'Superbly illustrated and well explained advice regarding all things paddleboarding. A hugely worthwhile read with all the tips and hints you need to get on your board to enjoy it whilst feeling safe.' Glasgow Paddleboarders Co Stand-up paddleboarding is the fastest growing watersport in the world - with only a little knowledge and practice, pretty much anyone can get up and get moving, and then there’s no limit to where SUP can take you. This complete guide gives you everything you need to know to get started, and much more besides. All the basics are here, from fundamental equipment (a guide to boards, including bargain-priced inflatables, as well as paddles, clothing and simple safety gear) to essential techniques (getting on, getting moving and, just as importantly, landing and getting off). Along with challenges and games to play with your new paddleboarding buddies, the book explores places to go and things to see, from rivers and canals to coastlines and travel further afield. The book also explains all the important stuff you might need to understand about weather, tides, waves and currents. However, The Paddleboard Bible then goes much further. It will take you on paddleboard adventures, from night paddles (showing you the world from the water in a way you’ve probably never seen it before) to wildlife-spotting safaris and unique photography opportunities; it even reveals the benefits of fishing from a paddleboard. And it’s not all gentle stuff – for adrenaline junkies there is SUP surfing, riding white water rapids and for the more competitive types, SUP racing. SUP is also great for fitness (you haven't done yoga until you've done SUP yoga) and there’s a booming social side too. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people, join groups, go to events and go on unique tours. However you want to get into stand-up paddleboarding, whether you’re curious about trying it one afternoon, want to dive into it as a new hobby or really get involved in the scene and the lifestyle, then The Paddleboard Bible is the one-stop book that covers everything you need to know about the most accessible and inexpensive paddlesport.

The first edition (0953195619 which went out of print Spring 2007) rapidly became a standard text for sea kayakers. This new edition builds on that success. There are numerous improvements in the explanations and GPS is covered in more detail, reflecting the increased availability and usage of electronic navigational aids. Full use is made of colour photos, diagrams, maps and charts, further enhancing the reader's experience. Exercises to reinforce and self-assess how much the reader has taken on board are provided at the end of each chapter."Sea Kayak Navigation" is recommended as support material for the new British Canoe Union navigation courses that are currently being introduced.

Most sailing vessels and motorboats have a marine diesel engine. This book will help the owner keep this vital piece of equipment going. It covers; how it works, fuel, air, cooling, lubrication, electrics, installation and winter lay up.

This second edition is fully revised and now covers turbochargers and long-distance voyaging (very demanding on engines).

Don Seddon is both an engineer and a sailor. This makes him uniquely qualified to write this book.

This handbook provides a grounding in the principles and techniques of sailing the modern cruising yacht. It includes advice on boat types, sail theory and navigation.

Kayaking is a tremedously wide-ranging sport. You can go for a leisurely paddle on your local pond, travel down a river or experience the thrills of white water. It is trully a sport for life. This lavishly-illustrated, clearly-written guide will have you out on the water fast - and in safety. It covers how to get started, the equipment you'll need, launching, how to control the boat, basic manoeuvres, what to do if you capsize, the Eskimo roll and rescue procedures.

Canals of Britain is the most comprehensive and absorbing survey of Britain's canal network ever published. It provides a fascinating insight into the linked up waterways as well as the isolated cuts and quiet waters which may not be fully navigable by larger craft. Infinitely varied, it passes picturesque open countryside, wild moorland, coastal harbours, historic industrial buildings, modern city centres, canalside public houses and abundant wildlife. Stuart Fisher looks at every aspect of the canals - their construction, rich history, stunning scenery, heritage, incredible engineering, impressive architecture and even their associated folklore, wildlife and art. Enticing photographs give a flavour of each place and places of interest close to the canals are included. Each canal is intricately mapped. For those who are keen to explore that little bit further, the book goes to points beyond which others usually turn back, with information on little-known parts of the system, offering a new insight into this country's unique, surprising and beautiful canal network. Attractive, inspiring and also a practical guide, Canals of Britain has proved very popular with walkers, cyclists, narrowboaters, canoeists, kayakers and others wanting to get the most out of Britain's canals. This fourth edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect the ever-changing landscape of Britain's canals, and includes many new colour photographs to help bring them to life.

SeaWise for Sailing Yachts provides step-by-step, concise, reliable plans for emergencies at sea that require fast and effective action. Designed for functionality, it has two sides: an Emergency Action Guide with instructions for specific problems, from fire and floods to man overboard and dangerous weather; and Safety Checklists, used to prepare the vessel and crew for voyages. A tab-based flip book design makes the guide easy to use for fast and effective responses, with 26 multi-tabbed sections covering a wide range of topics and situations. Some sections allow boat owners to customize the information to their craft. The information is based on extensive research and personal experience. This guide, the first of its kind, is printed on waterproof paper, packaged in a plastic case with mounting strips, and ready to be placed in an easily accessible location. It is designed for both professional and recreational vessels; a companion guide is available for motor yachts.

Since this book was first published in 1994, it has established itself as the most complete, most reliable, and most-read guide for those planning to sail across the oceans.

Now in a handy paperback, this second edition is both completely updated with reference to the ever-changing technology, especially electronics, and also maintains the clarity of style and organization that won the first edition so much praise from professionals and readers alike.

For easy reference, this important handbook is divided into four parts: The Boat, The Systems and Equipment, The Voyage and In Port. Included are sections on: building or buying a boat, size considerations, rig and hull design, cruising multihulls, construction materials, spars and rigging, deck layout and equipment, cockpit, below decks, engines, plumbing, electrics and electronics, sails, and self-steerage systems. Security, maintenance, health and psychological issues are also covered.

With a focus on the navigational tools invented by each age and civilization, Launer traces the evolution of humankind's navigational skills from the Kamal of the Arabs and the Lead-line first used by the Romans to the radio and satellite communication devices available to modern sailors. He pays homage to the Polynesians who, in the absence of a written language were able to pass down their navigational skills through generations, and to the adventurous Vikings, who managed to find their way from Scandinavia to England, Iceland, Greenland and beyond; but he also covers the practical applications of the complex technologies found on most boats today, such as GPS. Generous illustrations help readers envision the tools in use.

Navigation Through the Ages will appeal to sailors and lay readers alikeanyone with an interest in the history of science and the exploration of our world.

For most sailors, boat tuning may seem a mystery understood only by sailmakers and the like. In this book, sailor, chandler and championship winner, Ian Pinnell, unravels this daunting subject and will help improve your boatspeed as a result. Since most races are won or lost by a difference of less than 2% of racing time, you will soon be moving up the fleet. With hundreds of photos and diagrams to illustrate every point, the book clearly explains what each control does and how to set it up optimally for different conditions. Additional troubleshooting and skills sections take things even further, making this the bible of dinghy tuning.

This illustrated guide will help you plan your journey along the River Spey, one of the UK's classic canoe and kayak touring rivers. The river may be navigated from Loch Spey to Spey Bay, and here this is divided into seven sections. These can be paddled as single day trips or combined into multi-day adventures. Each section is described in detail and includes agreed access points, local attractions, plus accommodation and camping options. To help you plan your trip there are also eight suggested multi-day itineraries, which range from three to five days.Whether you opt for a five-day expedition or a scenic day trip, here you will find all the information you need to prepare for your journey. There is advice on equipment, food and safety, as well as information on wildlife, wild camping and navigation skills. The River Spey is a stunning river that should be on every paddler's tick list and this guide will help you to make the most of your journey.

After an epic journey lasting over three years, Joshua Slocum succeeded in becoming the first man to sail single-handed around the world. This is his account of that voyage in the form of a magical diary.

NOC Stories describes the Nantahala Outdoor Center's first 25 years, a time of explosive growth in whitewater sports and instruction. NOC Stories by Payson Kennedy and Greg Hlavaty presents a history of the Nantahala Outdoor Center as seen through the eyes of early leaders and some of its dedicated staff. This history spans the years 1972-1997 and approaches the story of the NOC's inception and growth in conjunction with the explosive growth of paddlesports and paddle instruction; in a very real sense, the great strides in paddle instruction and the growth of whitewater sports parallels the growth of the NOC. Many people today see the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for what it has become: a seminal Southeastern paddling hub and profitable business. What they don't know is that the NOC started with a semi-utopian vision, the idea that friends could work together at pursuits they were passionate about, and that this endeavor would not only be profitable for the company, but also life-changing for the individual. That's not something many businesses can say, but in the case of NOC, it's turned out to be true. If you asked current culture-makers and business owners in the whitewater industry about their formative years, you'd find many were previous staff members, clinic participants, and visitors at the NOC. You'd likely also hear that the NOC was instrumental in refining their skillset and in inspiring them to become pioneers in their field. From rafting to river rescue, paddling instruction to Olympic competition, the one thing this diverse group has in common is the NOC. These people are the stories that have become the NOC's legacy, and this book is an attempt to collect and make sense of them. But the book also features a very human element, a tinge of adventure that sets it apart from your standard history text. The stories in this book, in addition to their historical value, offer a testament to the experiential aspect of working at the NOC, that ineffable change that has affected so many staff and that forms the basis for outdoor adventure programs. The NOC was, and is, a dream; these are the stories of its dreamers.

Modern braided ropes have transformed sailing with incredible strength from ever smaller thickness. They are a godsend to the racing sailor who is always looking for strength without additional weight. The nature of these ropes requires different techniques to join them together or make eyes to attach to fittings and this is where this book comes in. It is a guide to the different types of braided ropes - where to use and how to splice them for typical uses on a racing sailboat. It provides clear easy-to-follow photographs and is splash-proof and spiral bound, which means that it is perfect to take into the dinghy park or onboard and use where you need to do your splicing. It lays out flat, so you don't have to hold it open as you follow the sequences with both your hands full of rope and fids!

The Welsh coastline, in all its varied guises, provides a fantastic playground for the sea kayaker. These select fifty-one journeys cover all of the interesting parts of the coast and provide easy sheltered paddles, testing offshore trips for the adventurous and everything in between. Illustrated with superb colour photographs and useful maps, this book is a practical guide to help you select and plan trips. Detailed tidal information also allows the book to serve as a valuable valuable inshore pilot for water users such as stand up paddlers, anglers, windsurfers and sailors. New in 2nd edition: - 1 new inspirational route - A selection of new photos - Sat nav coordinates for access

America's most experienced and renowned sailing instructor has put down in this volume all he knows about his subject. And he has done it in a way that reflects years of searching for and finding the best way to teach sailing. The result is an incomparable book for anyone who wants to become an expert sailor.

For readers who relish the image of clinging to a sinking makeshift raft while fighting off sword-wielding and delirious mutineers wrenching the last cask of water from a sailor's sun-scorched hands (while sharks circle in famished anticipation), "Shipwrecked! Adventures and Disasters at Sea" is an irresistible read. A heady voyage through human suffering at the hands of unforgiving oceans, cruel captains, and implacable fate, this latest collection of Evan Balkan's impeccably researched true adventures details 14 major maritime disasters. Included are such legendary stories as the 1629 maiden voyage of the "Batavia" that ended in mutiny and murder, and the dramatic destruction of the majestic three-masted barquentine "Endurance" in ice-clogged Antarctic waters in 1912. A vast spectrum of human emotion and activity is featured in these exciting profiles, from deadly incompetence and brutish cannibalism to surprising self-sacrifice and quiet heroism.

SeaWise for Motor Yachts provides step-by-step, concise, reliable plans for emergencies at sea that require fast and effective action. Designed for functionality, it has two sides: an Emergency Action Guide with instructions for specific problems, from fire and floods to man overboard and dangerous weather; and Safety Checklists, used to prepare the vessel and crew for voyages. A tab-based flip book design makes the guide easy to use for fast and effective responses, with 26 multi-tabbed sections covering a wide range of topics and situations. Some sections allow boat owners to customize the information to their craft. The information is based on extensive research and personal experience. This guide, the first of its kind, is printed on waterproof paper, packaged in a plastic case with mounting strips, and ready to be placed in an easily accessible location. It is designed for both professional and recreational vessels; a companion guide is available for sailing yachts.