The Avon is a great river to dip a paddle into, whether by kayak, canoe or paddleboard. If you are seeking an expedition journey, wanting to just splash about getting wet, or anything in-between, there is something for you here. The riverine wildlife and scenery are always attractive, and at times truly stunning. In the half-century since the Avon was restored as a navigation, the deep channelled waters and the numerous locks, with their white-water interludes, have greened over into precious habitats for a range of flora and fauna. The river flows right through England's past of climactic battles, monasteries, castles, stately homes and the early industry of mills and navigation. The Avon's international fame is, of course, due to its associations with William Shakespeare, and it's impossible for paddlers not to get sucked into a little 'bardolatry' whilst enjoying the river. This book aims to guide paddlers along the Avon and through its many locks and weirs, while also highlighting the river's remarkable natural and historical surrounds.

For readers of Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit" and "Unbroken," the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics
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"Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.
The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious team. They remind the country of what can be done when everyone quite literally pulls together--a perfect melding of commitment, determination, and optimism.
Drawing on the boys' own diaries and journals, their photos and memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, "The Boys in the Boat "is an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times--the improbable, intimate story of nine working-class boys from the American west who, in the depths of the Great Depression, showed the world what true grit really meant. It will appeal to readers of Erik Larson, Timothy Egan, James Bradley, and David Halberstam's "The Amateurs."

This is the ultimate guide to liferaft survival for all boaters and its purpose is to ensure the survival of skipper and crew in the event of their boat sinking. In this essential safety book, expert authors, Frances and Michael Howorth, cover how to be mentally and physically prepared for a sailor’s ultimate nightmare. It includes invaluable advice on the essentials to pack into the emergency grab bag for a short or long cruise, hot or cold climate, coastal or offshore trip. Packed full of checklists and clear diagrams, there are lessons learned from disasters, flowcharts to prioritise abandon ship procedure, sections on first aid and emergency treatment. Featuring some essential content from the authors’ previous title The Grab Bag Book but completely revised and updated, the new Liferaft Survival Guide is what you need right now to stay safe at sea and covers up to date information on the way satellites and beacons work, world monitoring of distress signals and advances in medical practice. Preparation and planning are key for safe enjoyable sailing. Every boater needs to plan and prepare, and every boater should read this book. This unique survival at sea handbook helps you ensure your crew’s survival in a liferaft. Buy it, build your own grab bag and be sure to be prepared!

For readers of Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit and Unbroken, the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics

Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.

The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious

The essential onboard guide to staying afloat and alive at sea-when you run into trouble

Written by a respected marine journalist with over thirty years of boating experience, this practical guide offers immediate solutions to any number of problems encountered while at sea. Addressing such dangers as fire; taking on water; running aground; losing power, mast, or rudder; man overboard; becoming lost; and extreme weather, the book offers clear guidance on gaining control of the situation, along with easily understandable photos and illustrations. Other key

safety measures, such as having a good understanding of first aid, the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS), flares and signals, are also described in detail. This handy, waterproof guide would complete any boat's equipment list.Detailed advice for most emergency situationsA must-have reference for all sailors, power boaters, and motor boatersThe author of numerous books in Norwegian, John Winge has cruised all over world

As important as a first-aid kit, "Emergency Companion" is any boater's

first line of defense against managing any mishap or potential disaster at sea.

Authoritative, practical, and hands-on information on reading and relying on electronic and paper nautical charts

The classic "How to Read a Nautical Chart" explains every aspect of electronic and paper nautical charts: how a chart is assembled, how to gauge the accuracy of chart data, how to read charts created by other governments, how to use information such as scale, projection technique and datum that every chart contains; how not to get fooled or run aground by overzooming. Nigel Calder teaches you how to squeeze every ounce of information out of a nautical chart (on your GPS, chartplotter, or nav station) and understand the limits of accuracy for all charts, paper and electronic, raster and vector. This much-awaited second edition addresses the changes in the world of electronic charting, integrated onboard navigation systems, as well as radar overlays and AIS and their interfacing with charts. A new chapter on the Wiki Revolution explores the mechanisms allowing you to incorporate user-generated content into navigational products and share this content with others--harnessing a user-base never before possible. Calder also explores how 3D-technology and real-time depth and weather information is creating interactive charting capacities that are fundamentally changing how we navigate. Calder's unique, practical insights will help you to navigate safely for years to come.

This is a must-have compact travel guide to the Canal du Midi, a picturesque waterway in Southern France, popular for boating trips and holidays. The Canal du Midi is recognised as one of the most beautiful and popular waterways in Europe. It is an UNESCO world heritage site and attracts many visitors every year. It's widely regarded as the perfect boating region for wine tasting, sightseeing at medieval villages and cities, and visiting cafes and restaurants. This up-to-date, comprehensive travel guide covers all the practical information and sightseeing opportunities boaters need to know about during their holiday on the canal, including: -Highlights and itinerary for Canal du Midi trips for easy planning -Insider travel tips for your boating holiday: where to stop off, sightseeing highlights, recommended restaurants to visit along the way -Essential practical nautical information such as how and where to charter, locks, bridges and berths and so on -Concise English-French dictionary with the most important vocab -Fantastic photography and useful route maps

This manual takes both novice and experienced boatowner through minor to major repairs of electrical systems, engines, electronics, steering systems, generators, pumps, cookers, spars and rigging. When it was first published in 1990, the Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual broke new ground. It was hailed as the first truly DIY manual for boatowners and has sold in its thousands ever since. There have been significant changes in boat systems since then, particularly electrical systems, and this fourth edition has been fully updated to reflect these developments and expand its predecessor's worldwide popularity. 'Probably the best technical reference and troubleshooting book in the world' Yachting Monthly 'It deserves to come standard with every boat' Yachting World

Boating Essentials references everything a boater needs to know about boating laws, safe operation of water craft (including boats, sailboats and jet skis), useful knots, navigation, signals, weather, boating hazards and emergency first aid. An indispensable reference, it is the perfect companion to have on hand whenever you are on the water. Made in the USA.

An essential guide to tying knots in splash proof ring bound format

This full colour, clearly illustrated book covers cover the top 10 knots everyone should know, plus coiling and throwing a rope, and whipping (stopping the end unravelling). It is part of of Fernhurst's highly popular Companion series.

All "Companion" books feature essential information - colour coded for instant access. Designed to withstand the rigours of on-board use they are splash proof, ringbound and printed on durable laminated card.Everyone needs knots: sailors, fishermen, girl guides, etc.Features the 10 knots everyone should know.Colour sequences of drawings show how to tie the knot, step-by-step.The use, good and bad points of each knot is highlighted.Splash proof ring bound format.

A compact, handy, on-the-water reference guide containing all the essential information about keeping your marine diesel engine running for when you need it most: the perfect quick reference guide to keep onboard. The book covers the parts of the engine and has checklists for monthly, weekly and daily checks. It outlines what to do if the engine won't start, or stop, if it overheats or there are problems with the fuel system. It tells you about servicing, the electrics and winterisation. Splash-proof and spiral bound - allowing you to lay it out flat beside your engine - this little book stands up to frequent use and will be a valued companion when the engine doesn't behave.

No other vessel-sail or power driven-had ever passed through the dangerous straits of the Northwest Passage and completed a voyage round the world before David Scott Cowper's daring journey in the converted RNLI life boat Mabel E. Holland. David Scott Cowper vividly describes his four year circumnavigation by way of the Northwest Passage, detailing his recovery of a boat sunk by Arctic ice and the adventure and hardship of a grueling non-stop voyage across the Pacific in a small power boat. In the annals of small-boat voyages, this one stands out by any measure; not only because of the enormous difficulties and the tenacity with which they were overcome, but because of the extraordinary fascination and unspoilt beauty of the Arctic. The book is enhanced by Scott Cowper's photographs taken during the journey.

A fascinating and original look at how the sea has defined Britain - and decided the course of its history - for thousands of years. Being an island nation is a core part of the British identity. An estimated two thirds of the world's population have never seen the sea, but in the UK that drops to under 10 per cent. Yet most people don't appreciate the impact our position on the edge of a continental shelf has had on our history, going back thousands of years. Our coast neither starts nor ends at the beach, and this eye-opening book takes a look beneath the surface to explore the forces of nature that have made Britain what it is. We experience some of the highest tides on the planet and we are battered with waves that have travelled halfway around the globe before they get here, but most of what we understand about our unique waters has only been discovered in living memory. In this fascinating guided tour of the fantastically varied British coastline, Professor David Bowers combines oceanography with maritime history, explaining tides, currents and waves in an accessible way whilst revealing how they have been responsible for both salvation (the Channel alone checked the Nazi advance in 1940) and disaster (such as the catastrophic 1953 flooding that led to the ingenious development of the Thames tidal barrier). He covers everything from how ocean swell waves were first recorded here in preparation for the D-Day landings, to how the first underwater light measurements paved the way to modern ocean satellite observation. This is a story 8,000 years in the making, ever since the country broke away from mainland Europe in the Mesolithic era, and in his insightful and irreverent telling of it Professor Bowers shows that the British Isles are defined by the sea, regardless of whether you look at them from land or water. With exclusive photos and specially commissioned illustrations, the book encourages you to visit all the places it explores, but when you stand on the beach or clifftop you will never think of Britain in quite the same way again.

Iain Oughtred is the well-known designer of elegant glued-lapstrake plywood boats, including the Acorn Skiffs, Gray Seal, Caledonia Yawl, Whilly Boat, and more. We have been offering his detailed boatbuilding plans for years, so the book was a natural fit. And, you may have noticed many of his designs in WoodenBoat magazine's Launchings column. With the book in hand, and a set of his plans, you can hardly go wrong. Clinker Plywood Boatbuilding Manual is encompassing enough to guide you through any lapstrake (aka Clinker) boatbuilding project. It covers tools and materials needed, lining off, setting up the building jig, planking, interior work, and fitting out. There are hundreds of drawings, hundreds of photos, and it's dosed liberally with Iain's pragmatic experience.

Most of us never realize how many words and expressions used in everyday English have a fascinating nautical origin. This charming pocketbook explains the practical ship-board beginnings of over 200 such phrases--colorful, bizarre and surprising--and how they came ashore. For anyone with an interest in the sea & its traditions--landlubbers, boaters, historians, linguists.

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?

A practical and user-friendly guide to the collision regulations, with full interpretations of the rules and clear diagrams. A thorough understanding of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (ColRegs) is essential for a wide range of professionals as well as amateur mariners. Written in legal text rather than easy to understand terminology, it is not a surprise that the Colregs are subject to gross misunderstanding and confusion. This makes this a difficult area for the thousands of mariners who need to learn, understand and remember them. This handbook is the answer. Expert marine training director Simon Jinks provides straightforward explanations of the complex situations that the Regulations discuss. He gives simple and comprehensive interpretation of the ColRegs rule by rule, giving students and professionals the clarity they need for exam prep and dealing with real-life situations. Colour illustrations of all lights and shapes, and clear diagrams provide additional support for students. The handbook also includes chapters on bridge watch-keeping, radar plotting and techniques for answering ColRegs questions in MCA exam conditions. It shows you where other maritime regulations work hand-in-hand with ColRegs. Simon Jinks is an experienced teacher of ColRegs to students who are studying for MCA Masters, OOW, Boat master and Chief Mates exams, plus those who are studying for RYA Yachtmasters and IYT Master of Yacht Qualifications and want to have an in-depth knowledge. The book adapts the author's teaching notes, developed over many years, with added extras around the subject to help in greater understanding.

If youve never experienced the tension of failed equipment aboard or had to explain to guests why there is no more fresh water or panicked when thick fog closed in just after you had forgotten to make note of the last two buoys, you probably dont need to keep a log. But for those more human, its not a bad idea.

Developed and refined endlessly over three decades by longtime cruiser Dale Nouse, The International Marine Log Book is flexible enough to allow to record anything from bare piloting details to names and anecdotes that are valuable and/or enjoyable to recall. It will encourage good piloting, train you to be a careful observer of weather, stimulate you to run through a vital maintenance checklist, and serve as a compendium of interesting information about your boat.

The International Marine Log Book--complete, compact, and durable--will make all others obsolete. Here is a legal record of your boats cruising history; vital navigational aid; concise and accurate weather-forecasting system; daily checklist of your boats mechanical systems; permanent record of your boats important data; journal of your happy times afloat.

"Everything creaks and bends in heavy seas - what will not bend will simply snap. So many times I wondered how much load we could carry in a powerful storm without breaking apart. If we flooded any faster I would drown in seconds." Patrick Dixon spent years working as a doctor at University College Hospital, while his wife Sheila was a magistrate - high-pressure careers that demanded long hours away from their home, family and passion for sailing. It is a frustrating story many occasional sailors can relate to, but unlike most, Patrick and Sheila realised early enough that they could only bend so far before something snapped, they could only take on so much before they drowned. This is their story of how they made changes (some more challenging than others) that they knows other sailors could make too, regardless of where they are at the moment - how they changed their priorities but managed to sustain a new career that fitted in around life rather than the other way round. It is also the story of their personal journey, both physically (across the Atlantic and to little-visited corners of the Mediterranean) and metaphorically - how a doctor who treated cancer patients coped with a partner facing the same battle. Neither of them wanted to let that flood things either. Through their personal story, with plenty of mishaps that led to insights (both about sailing and life in general), and encounters that turned into opportunities, Patrick and Sheila explore the importance of prioritising the right things in life, and the simple benefits of travel. The book is packed with inspiring but practical advice for all those who have salt in the blood.

Naming a boat is as personal as naming a baby (even if few male skippers would risk telling the wife that). The culmination of many years of dreaming and penny pinching, the purchase of a boat of any size is a huge event for any sailor, and with that comes serious naming pressure. Many boatowners have a secret fear that someone else got their brilliantly original name first - or ruined it for ever by reducing its reputation to snigger-worthy opprobrium. Sometimes it's so difficult to name a boat that skippers are desperate enough to ask the sorts of people who think Boaty McBoatface would be a good choice... The perfect gift for any skipper or would-be skipper, and featuring hundreds of common and uncommon names, this entertaining little book will answer perhaps the most important question new owners should ask themselves: what will this name say about me? And as everyone knows, once you've named a boat, you never ever change it, so it also answers the question: what is my boat name saying about me? Names will be categorised and listed alphabetically within these chapters: - Pun Intended (some reveal a classic wit, others reveal just how many desperate unfunny dullards there are sailing around in yachts called Seas the Day) - Common as Muck (bad names - Moondancer, Wave Catcher and others that sound like names from a bad children's novel: where they come from, why they're bad, and how to avoid inventing another) - A Bit of Pedigree (good names - but probably too classy for you to get away with copying them) - Don't Even Go There (they might be uncommon these days, but sometimes there's a good reason for that) - Word Piracy (expressions borrowed from other languages - with varying degrees of wisdom) - Myths, Legends and Gods (inspired by heroes and deities of cultures now lost to the past) - The Devil's Own (don't tempt fate by calling your boat Invincible, as the Royal Navy did each time the last one sank/exploded - plus other superstition-violating names) With fascinating history, a fair bit of psychology and a lot of humour, this is the essential guide for all would-be boat owners, and anyone buying a gift for Dad for Father's Day or Christmas.

Navigation with sextant and almanac is as user-friendly as a cornered rat.' Barefoot Navigator introducesus to a unique take on navigation - using the skills of the ancients and technology-free techniques, we learn how to navigate using the sun, sea, wind and stars, and even the flight patterns of ocean birds. The first part of this absorbing book recounts a colourful history of seafarers and their navigation techniques. How did the Polynesians manage to populate an area of ocean larger than North America simply by analysing clouds,currents and wind direction? How did the Vikings routinely travel on the notorious stretches of water between Iceland, Greenland and Scandinavia? The second part shows how to use these ancient techniques to supplement today's navigational hardware, especially in survival situations. Fascinating history, useful advice, enjoyable writing, and different to every other navigation reference out there, this second edition has been beautifully packaged in a hardback format, with new illustrations and thoroughly revised text.

An inspiring guide to activities and adventures to re-energise and boost your mood, by our rivers, lakes and canals. While Britain's rivers, lakes and canals have long been co-opted by fitness enthusiasts for the physical benefits they can bring, it's only relatively recently that we've given much thought to their impact on our mental state too. 'Blue health' - the idea that having access to an area of water can benefit a person's whole wellbeing - is gaining traction. These waterside places are fundamental to the kind of stuff people now realise they need in their lives - exercise, solace, natural beauty and new places to socialise - with so many of them on our doorstep. Just Add Water is your guide to the many mood-boosting and wellbeing activities, adventures and escapes that our inland waterways have to offer. Nearly 200 destinations are featured, organised into 15 core activities, covering the length and breadth of the UK, making this the ideal companion for anyone planning a day trip or boating holiday. Expert journalist Sarah Henshaw explains how the activities can re-energise, inspire and relax, weaving their wellbeing benefits with practical information to help you get the most out of each experience. Accompanied by stunning images, the handbook includes everything from mudlarking to wild swimming, fishing to foraging towpath hedgerows, paddleboarding to learning how to paint canal folk art. There are also inspirational first-hand accounts of the many ways our waterways have made a difference to people's day-to-day lives - including a high-flying exec who finds commuting by water a great way to manage stress. This guide showcases the multiple ways to be on, in, under or next to water, and how it can enhance the whole spectrum of lived experience.

The Adlard Coles Book of Navigation is the perfect reference for anyone following an RYA navigation course, from Day Skipper through to Yachtmaster Offshore and for any seafarer requiring a knowledge of navigation. This highly practical book explains everything the reader needs to know to navigate a yacht or motorboat from one port to another safely and accurately. Using clear diagrams, worked examples and colour photographs throughout, Tim Bartlett explains each stage of navigation, including electronic navigation. 'Excellent bestselling reference...you should be able to do it once you've read this!' Kelvin Hughes "Particularly useful for readers with little navigational experience...will also appeal to anyone studying for navigational qualifications.' The Nautical Magazine 'A must-have for any coastal and offshore yachtsman.' Yachting Monthly