The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook [Paperback]

Shelley Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2001

The Complete Sea Kayaker’s Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the full sea kayaking spectrum, bringing a fresh approach and a dynamic voice to the subject. Author of the critically acclaimed Sea Kayaking: A Woman’s Guide, Shelley Johnson covers all the bases for beginning to advanced sea kayakers. It’s all here, from selecting the right kayak and gear to preparing and making an extended tour, mastering the strokes, rolls, and exit techniques; navigating; and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Wherever you want your kayak to take you, The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook will get you there.

What makes this book good is its comprehensiveness, what makes it great is Shelley Johnson’s passion for the sport and her ability to share that passion, honed by twelve years of guiding trips and teaching courses throughout the United States and Canada. Shelley's practical advice and clear explanations ring true because she knows they work--she and her students have tested them all for you. Now you can benefit from her hard-won and time-tested experiences, and learn everything from basic paddling strokes and rolling techniques to advanced navigation and trip logistics.

"Shelley's approach to sea kayaking is thorough and erudite. It provides an excellent introduction for neophytes as well as abundant reminders for experienced paddlers."--John Dowd, author, Sea Kayaking: A Manual for Long-Distance Touring

"Shelley's straightforward book will be one of your most important items of kayaking gear."--Lee Moyer, founder and designer, Pacific Water Sports, author, Sea Kayak Navigation Simplified

"Everything you need to know to get started in sea kayaking is here in Shelley Johnson's new book, from choosing a boat to developing the paddling skills you need, to making field repairs and planning your dream trip, all told in Shelley's knowledgeable and conversational style."--Robin Stanton, managing editor, Canoe & Kayak

About the Author

Shelley Johnson is a contributing editor to Canoe & Kayak, an American Canoe Association - certified instructor, a member of the Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors, and a Registered Maine Guide. She is a frequent contributor to Atlantic Coastal Kayaker and Kayak Touring and the author of Sea Kayaking: A Woman's Guide and Sea Kayaker's Pocket Guide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (December 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007136210X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071362108
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Kayaking > Sea Kayaking

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great comprehensive reference for new sea kayaker, September 6, 2006

By 

Christopher Baughman (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook (Paperback)

Prior to getting this book I had one lesson and had paddled five or six times mostly in ocean harbors and estuaries. I have paddled several times since. I have done a fair amount of small boat sailing and canoeing before taking up kayaking.

The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook did a great job helping to fill in my knowledge of kayaking in general and to help "remind" me of some of what I learned in my lesson. It is well put together and has a nice mix of anecdote and information, with more of the latter. The book is specific to sea kayaking which I also appreciated. I am not terribly interested in white water kayaking and didnt want a book that wasted my time with more then casual information on the subject.

Hightlights for me:
- Detailed and well presented information on kayak design and construction.
- Nice explanations of paddle technique I was actually able to apply after I read the book (as a supplement to my lesson).
- Informative chapters on navigation and logistics without belaboring the subjects.
- Interesting side-bars going into more detail on one point or another throughout the book.

I think the best thing about the book is Shelley's easy going yet informative writing style. The illustrations and photos were clear and useful. The tone of the book was that of a very well informed friend rather then some kind of uber-kayaker. This book worked for me. Good luck in your paddles!

Regards,

Chris

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book before purchasing a kayak, April 2, 2007

By 

Gremlin (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook (Paperback)

I like to browse the boating sections of outdoor stores and listen to the staff recommend equipment to people just getting started in kayaking. It can be a terrific learning experience and the best stores will always recommend good instructional manuals and the importance of taking lessons. The one book they always seem to suggest is Shelley Johnson's Sea Kayaker's Handbook. It covers all the basics but goes one step further. For instance; it is commonly explained that "the longer a boat is the faster it will go and the better it will track". There is a sidebar entitled "It isn't so simple" which carries the explanation a little further. Another section covers how to handle wind. Reading this section would be very helpful to a new paddler purchasing their first boat because one of the basic decisions is whether to have a rudder or skeg. A little knowledge here could save a lot of money and make the sport much more enjoyable. Read this book, ask questions of a knowledgeable salesman, buy a boat, take a lesson or two, have fun, see you on the water!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Those New to Kayaking, June 10, 2009

By 

N. Garrett "River Rat" (Ocean Gate, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook (Paperback)

This is a great book for the beginning kayaker. I have canoed and sailed for close to 40 years and just recently took up kayaking. After several lessons and going out on my own a few times I bought this book. It filled in a lot of the blanks and is a very balanced presentation of the subject matter.

The kayaking instructor that I went to is definitely a knowledgeable individual but he is, as I have found many in the sport to be, very opinionated. Had I not read The Complete Sea Kayaker's Handbook I think my knowledge of the sport would have been limited to what I learned by trial and error on my own and the limited presentation I got from the instructor. The book is pretty neutral on subjects that are more personal preference like boat selection, skegs vs. rudders vs. neither, paddle selection, etc. There is good coverage of the safety aspects and equipment, beyond what was in the lessons I took.

Overall the book is a really good supplement to lessons and paddling experience. I find myself going back and rereading sections of it after each time I go out paddling. I am sure that will change with experience but it is a great reference.