Handbook of Offshore Cruising: The Dream and Reality of Modern Ocean Sailing [Hardcover]

Jim Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 1998

Every serious sailor dreams of the great adventure of offshore cruising. Jim Howard has been cruising the oceans of the world for many years, and he now has written the book that tells the reality of this dream. For easy reference, this important new handbook is divided into four parts: the boat, the systems and equipment, the voyage and in port. All the important topics for planning extensive offshore cruises are covered: building or buying a boat for offshore cruisign, size considerations, rig and hull design, cruising multihulls, construction materials, spars and rigging, deck layout and equipment, cockpit, below decks, engines, plumbing, electronics, sails, self steering systems, stowage, routine at sea, heavy weather sailing, navigation, safety, harbors and anchorages, security, maintenance, health and psychological aspects of sailing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...Howard is very good at compressing his data into concise, but lively and readable segments. Furthermore, his advice seems unusually well thought-out and non-dogmatic. In contrast to certain well-known curmudgeonly seafaring men, Howard doesn't seem to think that there are only two ways of doing anything: My Way and the Wrong Way....The book is beautifully organized, with excellent illustrations. -- MidGulf Sailing, November 1994

...stands out from the run-of-the-mill cruising books by reason of its rationality, robust common-sense and well thought out organisation. -- Lloyds List, February 1995

Accompanied by superb illustrations by Tadami Takahashi....it addresses an incredible number of the most important and basic issues and gives those new to sailing a wholesome overview of what is involved and how to proceed. It's certainly one of the most thorough primers to come along in quite some time. -- Cruising World, June 1995

For those who dream, as all serious sailors do, about stepping beyond the coast in their voyaging, a book which covers every detail--from idea to casting-off and beyond is a great place to start....This is not a beginning sailor's book or a travel book. It is a guide to the thousands of choices and compromises that must be considered and made in sailing beyond the coast. -- Journal of the American Sailing Association, Winter 1996

Good matter-of-fact advice from one who knows. -- Practical Sailor, December 1995

Here is a book from a prudent, experienced cruiser that is as solid and well found as a good cruising boat. -- Dockside, November 1996

Too often, lots of miles under a bluewater cruiser's keel can mean dogmatic beliefs and a narrow focus. Not so with author Jim Howard, who draws on 10 years and 50,000 miles of cruising experience to write the near-encyclopedic Handbook of Offshore Cruising....If you're dreaming of heading offshore or are already into your first few years of crossing oceans, The Handbook of Offshore Cruising is an invaluable resource. -- SAIL Magazine, July 1995

About the Author

Jim Howard, former research professor of marine geology, began sailing in 1973 in Savannah, Georgia. In 1985 he left the East Coast of the United States to begin a circumnavigation of the world. After some 50,000 miles under sail, he is still in the midst of his voyage, having visited Jamaica, Panama, the West Coast, Hawaii and numerous Pacific islands, as well as Japan, Korea and New Zealand. During his three-year layover in Japan he began writing monthly for two Japanese sailing magazines, Kazi and Cruising World Japan. He has also co-authored two books on cruising that have been translated into Japanese. He has written several articles for Cruising World on cruising in the Far East, particularly Japan, where the Pan-Pacific Yacht Race will take many sailors.

After wintering in Mexico and Central America, Jim Howard plans to return to the South Pacific aboard his Ohlson 38, Denali, and visit Pitcairn and Easter Island, two of the most fascinating destinations in any bluewater cruiser's imagination.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (August 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 092448635X
• ISBN-13: 978-0924486357
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,589,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE FOR ANY SAILOR, February 14, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (San Andres Isla, Colombia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of Offshore Cruising: The Dream and Reality of Modern Ocean Sailing (Hardcover)

Great book, easy to read, you do not have to be an expert to read it. A must have for any sailor even if he/she is not a cruiser. Jim Howard deals with all the aspects of cruising under sail with a lot of common sence and safety. If you are a "wannabe" cruiser this book is of great help to organize your dream.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm no expert, but..., March 20, 2001

By 

DEMackintosh (Aurora, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of Offshore Cruising: The Dream and Reality of Modern Ocean Cruising 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

This book seems to be very thorough, well constructed and executed. I've been collecting alot of cruising books over the past few years in anticipation of a round-the-world cruise (someday), and this book not only answers many of the questions I have, but also is a very enjoyable (and effective) read when your dream needs a booster shot. For this reason alone, it has aearned a place of honor on my nightstand, where it has already, and will I am sure, many times more give "the dream" the neccesary "kick".

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite cruising book, May 6, 2007

By 

Eric F. Kaufman "Captain Eric Kaufman" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handbook of Offshore Cruising (Hardcover)

Nigel Calder's books, although detailed, don't really rub me the right way. Calder tends to analyze boats with everything but a hot tub onboard, and treats HVAC and microwaves like they should be standard issue with a rudder and compass.

Howard, on the other hand, is much more basic and simple with his recommendations, but not nearly as spartan as the Pardey's (who are also excellent authors and sailors). Jim's book is generally the first one I'll read on any given subject, and if I can't get enough detail there, I'll look elsewhere.

But really, this book should be top of the heap for you. The large section on voices in the night speaks for itself, and shows that Howard obviously has many thousands of miles under his keel.