Handbook of Trailer Sailing [Paperback]

Robert Forrest Burgess (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1992

Increasing competition for mooring and dock space has driven the price of their favorite sport out of reach for far too many sailors. The solution? Downsizing to an affordable boat stored between sails on a trailer. Not only is the boat safe and convenient, but cruising options expand dramatically--the whole continent becomes available at 55 miles per hour dead to windward. Whether you're a new sailor just starting out or an old hand choosing the '90s phenomenon of "downshifting," this completely revised and updated edition of Bob Burgess's Handbook of Trailer Sailing, first published in 1984 and widely acclaimed as the trailer sailor's bible, will chart your whole course. There's detailed information on finding your dream boat, outfitting and setting up, trailers and trailering, elementary and advanced sailing, anchoring, customizing for comfort, taking care of your outboard motor, sail camping, cruise planning, and more.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

``If you know someone who fits this target--first-time boat-owner of a trailerable small cruiser--give this to them as a launching gift.'' (American Sailor )

``It's the book to have if you think trailer sailing might be for you.'' (Offshore ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Intl Marine Pub; 2 edition (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877423431
• ISBN-13: 978-0877423430
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,806,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference for the trailer sailor, March 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Handbook of Trailer Sailing (Paperback)

This is the third highest rated book in our Ensenada 20 library, just below "Frugal Yachting", which is just below "The Complete Sailor".

I would strongly recommend any would-be sailor whose considering to take the plunge, to get all three, read them cover to cover, and keep them close at hand always.

The Handbook of Trailer Sailing provides rafts of information that would otherwise be difficult to aquire for those who are considering purchasing a trailerable sailboat.

While it could provide more depth on the trailering aspect, it compensates with lots of real life experience in all the places a trailer sailor may end up going.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK book, but it's more about sailing than trailering, March 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Handbook of Trailer Sailing (Paperback)

This book contains a lot of practical advice about small boat sailing, and some information about dealing with transportation of the boat on a trailer. I was disappointed because I wanted more information about the actual trailering process - the book doesn't even touch on tow vehicles, and needs more on things like launching and retrieval, trailering different sizes of boats, safety with the trailer (like don't climb on the back of a boat on a trailer and tip it over backwards!), and so on. I'd also like to have seen more of an approach where there would be a statement of the problem, then here are different options to solve it, rather than Mr. Burgess' (admittedly inexpensive and effective) own way of solving the problem. I have to say this is the best book on trailering sailboats that I have seen, but there's a lot more that could have been included.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent "how to have fun on a small sailboat" book., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Handbook of Trailer Sailing (Paperback)

If you have, or are considering buying or borrowing, a sailboat, then this book is for you. While the focus of the book is on trailerable boats up to about 28 feet, many of the activities suggested are fun with a boat of any size. But again, the key here is how to wring the maximum enjoyment out of a boat that most people can actually afford. Mr. Burgess has had plenty of experience with this. He shares those experiences eloquently and with an eye for frugality. In fact, this book is a much better reference for sailing on a budget than "Frugal Yachting". This latter title focuses heavily upon boat selection. In "Handbook of Trailer Sailing" Mr. Burgess will tell you how to enjoy your boat no matter what the size. Best of all, he tells you how to inexpensively enjoy all of the activities which are possible from a small sailboat, not just how to sail cheaply. Whether you sail, want to sail, or just are curious as to what sailing has to offer, then you will enjoy this book.