Customer Reviews

Boater's Bowditch: The Small-Craft American Practical Navigator

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2 star:		(1)
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A reference work such as this should have one, overriding goal: to
make the explanation of each subject as clear, concise, and above all
accurate as possible. That goal is even more important since this
book is aimed at novices, who may not have the experience and
background knowledge to detect errors and understand muddled
explanations. Unfortunately, this book fails miserably at this goal.
The topics are riddled with inaccuracies and the explanations, where
correct, are overly long and confusing. As one example, the
explanation of the origin of tides is both confusingly written, and,
when deciphered, wrong....And so I recommend the same to potential
readers: skip this book, and go right to the real American Practical
Navigator, which, coincidentally enough, is available from Amazon!
For an introductory book which has been around for years and is both
complete and accurate, I recommend Chapman Piloting : Seamanship &
Boat Handling, which is available for just a few dollars more and is
in its 63rd edition. Disclaimer: I am not associated in any way with
any of the publishers or authors of the books mentioned here, except
as a pleased or disappointed reader.

Both the experienced navigator and the neophyte will find this book very useful. Through clearly written explanations and useful diagrams, Hubbard makes difficult concepts simple and easy to understand. His treatment is among the most up-to-date in the field of navigation (which is important in these days of rapidly advancing technologies) and he writes with the requisite authority (his professional credentials are impeccable). This is a clever adaptation of THE book on navigation (Bowditch's American Practical Navigator)--all serious navigators rely on Bowditch for detail and advanced concepts, and Hubbard has adapted the information for popular use while maintaining the integrity of the source. Highly recommended for the beginner and for the old salt who wants to review and update his or her knowledge.

Excellent source for marine information. Chapters cover some important information not found in other places.