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.

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 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.

In order to safely navigate Europe's major waterway routes, all boaters need to know CEVNI - the Waterway Code - whose rules, signs, symbols and signals are understood and used by bargemasters and working vessels of all nationalities. This book has been written especially for pleasure craft users, setting out the rules in an easy-to-follow handy pocket-book format. It covers waterway signs, signals, flags and lights, markings on vessels, procedures in tunnels, locks and weirs, overtaking rules, berthing, and explains buoyage and landmarks - and for this 3rd edition there is a handy Quick Reference section grouping signs by colour for easy identification. The book forms the basis of the RYA test for the International Certificate of Competence and is accepted by European countries as the obligatory rules book that must be carried on board all small craft. 'Essential reading for anyone proposing to navigate the continental waterways' Waterways World 'A very welcome reference work for British boatowners cruising through Europe' Motor Boats Monthly 'A must' Little Ship Club 'Cannot be too highly recommened' Nautical Magazine

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."

The Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding is the definitive work on the subject and results from the late Bruce Grant's many years of interest and experience as a braider and writer on the subject. It combines most of the material published in Leather Braiding and How to Make Cowboy Horse Gear with a mass of completely new material. The book's more than 350 illustrations are arranged so that the step-by-step instructions face the picture being described, making it very easy to follow. While the book is primarily for those interested in leathercraft, in nearly all cases the methods of braiding are applicable to many other materials, such as silk, cotton, plastic, catgut, or horsehair. Braidwork takes many forms, and its applications are practical as well as decorative. The combination of beauty and utility lends itself to an array of items-personal gear or clothing, working or show gear for a horse, decoration of plain, carved, or tooled leather work. Truly a book to be used as well as read, Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather Braiding provides all the information needed for this satisfying pastime.

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.

Become an expert judge of used sailboats. Step by step, the author of the bestselling "This Old Boat" shows you how to evaluate the condition of an older fiberglass sailboat - the one you own or the one you'd like to purchase. Don Casey's expert advice helps you: assess the condition of a used sailboat in 30 minutes; prioritize maintenance and repair tasks for a boat you already own; catch potential problems early; know where to look and what to look for (and how to interpret what you see). A professional survey is recommended before purchasing a boat - and usually required for financing - but with "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat", you can consider and reject any number of boats before settling on 'the one'.This book will streamline your used-boat shopping while saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in professional survey fees. 'The perfect place to begin, or to continue your education...As a reviewer of both new and used boats, I own many books filled with advice. I strongly suspect that "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" is the one I will consult most' - "Sailing". 'A complete reference for the boatowner or prospective boat buyer on evaluating the condition of fiberglass sailboats using common sense and proven advice' - GAM on "Yachting Magazine" (Canada). Don Casey is one of today's best and most trusted do-it-yourself boating writers. His nine books include the bestselling "This Old Boat and Sailboat Electrics Simplified". He writes the long-running "Ask Don Casey" column for BoatUS.com and is a monthly columnist for Sailnet.com and a regular "SAIL" magazine contributor.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

With over two-thirds of the globe covered by water, the ability to navigate safely and quickly across the oceans has been crucial throughout human history. As seafarers attempted longer and longer voyages from the sixteenth century onwards in search of profit and new lands, the tools of navigation became ever more sophisticated. The development of instruments over the last five hundred years has seen some revolutionary changes, spurred on by the threat of disaster at sea and the possibility of huge rewards from successful voyages. As this book shows, the solution of the infamous longitude problem, the extraordinary impact of satellite positioning and other advances in navigation have successfully brought together seafarers, artisans and scientists in search of better ways of getting from A to B and back again.

Every yachtsman or motorboater has at some point entertained the idea of catching their own supper, but until "Sea Fishing" there hasn't been a book to guide them through it. This unique handbook fills the gap. Fishing whilst cruising along the coast or at anchor isn't as easy as it might at first seem, but this practical, photographic guide shows the novice how to set up their tackle, bait the line correctly and how to work with the tide to best effect. Different fishing techniques, tackle, weights and (importantly) bait are required when sailing at speed, drifting along the coast or fishing whilst at anchor, and this book presents them all with helpful step-by-step photos and diagrams. It also details how to kill, de-scale, fillet, skin and cook your catch. There is also a fish identification section that shows every type of fish that can be caught between Scotland and Gibraltar. Updated for the second edition, there is a new section on wreck fishing, and a wider range of fish is covered. With this book, some perseverance and a little luck, anyone trying their hand will soon be able to plan for the pleasure of fresh fish cooked aboard.

The Big Book of Boat Canvas is a thorough revision and updating of Karen Lipes two popular earlier books, Boat Canvas Cover to Cover and More Boat Canvas, combined with a whole new section on below-decks sewing projects. In this latest volume Lipe ranges well beyond the boundaries of traditional canvas work to create a comprehensive guide to fabric work on board. Youll find dozens of traditional canvas projects--sail covers, awnings, duffel bags, dodgers, and Biminis, wind chutes, winter covers--all with clear, step-by-step instructions, generously illustrated. Youll also find dozens of not-so-traditional fabric projects to add comfort and a touch of elegance to your below-decks spaces: custom interior cushions, fitted sheets and daycovers, privacy curtains, lee cloths, even a tablecloth to fit your varnished table. Lipe offers a veritable minicourse in interior yacht decoration, dozens of useful sewing tips, a careful detailing of materials nad tools needed for each project, and an extensive discussion of modern fabrics appropriate for exterior and interior use. In short, this handy book covers everything you need to know to sew comfort, utility, and style into your boat.

A treasure of functional and fanciful projects you can sew yourself.--Multihulls

Youll find this book of the utmost practical help.--The Ensign

It passed what is for me the acid test of a how-to book: The Big Book of Boat Canvas made me want to get at some long-neglected projects and even to try some that I never thought I could manage.--SAIL

This work is significant. It is the first to include a method of assessing structural strength in the context of the modern marine environment.
--Commander M. C. Cruder, U.S. Coast Guard

Acclaimed author and naval architect Dave Gerr created this unique system of easy-to-use scantling rules and rules-of-thumb for calculating the necessary dimensions, or scantlings, of hulls, decks, and other boat parts, whether built of fiberglass, wood, wood-epoxy composite, steel, or aluminum. In addition to the rules themselves, The Elements of Boat Strength offers their context: an in-depth, plain-English discussion of boatbuilding materials, methods, and practices that will guide you through all aspects of boat construction.

Now you can avoid wading through dense technical engineering manuals or tackling advanced mathematics. The Elements of Boat Strength has all the formulas, tables, illustrations, and charts you need to judge how heavy each piece of your boat should be in order to last and be safe. With this book, an inexpensive scientific calculator, and a pad of paper, youll be able to design and specify all the components necessary to build a sound, long-lasting, rugged vessel.

What reviewers have said about Dave Gerrs books:

Propeller Handbook

By far the best book available on the subject.--Sailing

The best laymans guide weve ever read.--Practical Sailor

Dave Gerr and International Marine made a complicated topic understandable and put it into a handbook that is easy to use.--WoodenBoat

Without doubt the definitive reference for selecting, installing, and understanding boat propellers.--Royal Navy Sailing Association Journal

The Nature of Boats

If you are not nautically obsessed before reading this book, you will most certainly be afterward.--Sailing

Fascinating potpourri of information about todays boats, modern and traditional.--WoodenBoat

John Quirk loves history, drawing and boats and these three elements come together in this attractive and entertaining book. He has sought out obscure episodes or familiar events from the past and written engagingly about them, illustrated with his excellent colour cartoons. Where possible he relates the historical happenings and maritime moments to the present day, be it when tracing the history of the screw, misinformation (fake news) during the Second World War, plague ships in the fourteenth century, or Russia's ill-fated war with Japan in 1904. The events covered range from Henry V's invasion of France in 1415, consisting mainly of chartered French ships and paid for partially by Dick Whittington, to episodes in the Second World War, like the Somali Camel Corps capturing a German U-boat. Other historic figures involved include Horatio Nelson, Napoleon, Rudolf Diesel and Lawrence of Arabia. The 25 stories and over 100 cartoons are a treasure-trove of compelling, salt-infused, tales told with imagination and humour, with an eye on the present day, which will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in maritime history (or even just history).

This is a handy-sized logbook, ideal for slipping in the pocket on deck to jot down the essential facts whilst underway. In a convenient spiral binding with neat rounded corners and a splashproof cover, both skippers and crew will find it perfect for noting down the essential information on passage prior to transferring it in expanded form to the main logbook at a later point. This is a well designed, practical logbook for on-deck use. Sailors and motorboaters alike will welcome its arrival.

In June 1972, the 43-foor schooner Lucette was attacked by killer whales and sank in 60 seconds. What happened next is almost incredible. In an inflatable rubber raft, with a 9 foot fiberglass dinghy to tow it, Dougal Robertson and his family were miles from any shipping lanes. They had emergency rations for only three days and no maps, compass, or instruments of any kind. After their raft sank under them, they crammed themselves into their tiny dinghy. For 37 days—using every technique of survival—they battled against 20-foot waves, marauding sharks, thirst, starvation, and exhaustion, adrift in the vast reaches of the Pacific before their ordeal was ended by a Japanese fishing boat. The Robertsons' strong determination shines through the pages of this extraordinary book which describes movingly their daily hopes and fears, crises and triumphs, tensions and heartbreaks.

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

The Baltic was northern Europe's best kept secret - but word has got out to sailors from across the continent and beyond. The lively seaside towns, beautiful wild coastlines that stretch for miles, serene and secluded bays, remote islands, and friendly people are driving a boom in cruising and chartering. This is the perfect cruising guide for anyone who wants to explore the Baltic Sea, whether pottering around Denmark and Germany, crossing to Sweden or cruising further afield, into Eastern Europe. It includes suggested routes for trips of all lengths, from short trips in the Sly Firth or Flensburg Fjord suitable for those with less time or experience, to longer cruises to beautiful locations like Svendborg or Marstrand, visits to busy cities like Aarhus, Copenhagen and Stockholm, and more adventurous tours to islands like Anholt, Bornholm or Gotland. Lavishly illustrated with gorgeous photography, and as inspirational as it is practical, this guide covers all the best destinations to explore, and features navigation advice, including landmarks, lights, bearings, depths and approaches, as well as detailing local facilities and attractions.

This is a book with no practical purpose whatsoever. As any fan of Dave's would probably guess, a book by him won't make you a better sailor, and it won't provide any instruction on boat maintenance. But it will entertain - his light but observational writings tap the rich well of all those things that sailors know but few dare admit. The Impractical Boat Owner is a collection of Dave's columns for Practical Boat Owner magazine, expanded for the book, and with additional 'Lessons Not Learned' hints and tips boxes, all accompanied by Jake Kavanagh's wonderful cartoons. Taking us from Dave's first flounderings afloat to more recent, er, flounderings afloat, themes covered include: - first attempts at sailing - how not to sail singlehanded - mysteries of maintenance - how not to sail with a dog - the impenetrable mysteries of navigation and weather - how not to race The Impractical Boatowner is an antidote to all that's written about expensive shiny new yachts, self-improvement, the quest for qualifications and practical skills.