Nautical Terms & Abbreviations [Paperback]

Helene Gaillet de Neergaard (Author), The Near Field Press (Editor), Patti Ringrose (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1994

Small, practical boating dictionary giving the language of boats and boating in its simplest form, easy to use and understand by anyone interested in the sport. Used by dozens of sailing schools throughout the States as it is considered the handiest little book for young sailors.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Condensed from article by Barbara Delatiner, The New York Times, January 23, 1994: Born in France, Author came to the States in 1946 and started sailing at the age of 12. She often crewed on yachts in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, becoming an avid ocean sailor for the past 20 years. She has sailed from Maine to Tortola, from Spain to the Canary Islands and finds her most inspirational moments when at sea. She has also published "The BOAT BOOK: a guide and reference book for ALL Boaters".

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: The Near Field Press (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964214806
• ISBN-13: 978-0964214804
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,724,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Sports > Water Sports > Boating
  • #50 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Sports > Water Sports > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some definitions are suspect., April 1, 1999

By 

Steve Knox (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nautical Terms & Abbreviations (Paperback)

As the final authority that it is, a dictionary has to be above reproach. If one definition is wrong, all are suspect. This dictionary has some problems. Some definitions are outright wrong: a "lee shore" is defined as a "weather shore" which is the exact opposite. A "boomvang" is defined as a "preventer" which is something entirely different. Some definitions use misleading language: The definition of a "knotmeter" incorporates a classic landlubber's mistake: "knots per hour." A "chainplate" is described as "bolted to the deck" when, in fact, it could just as well be fastened to the hull and often is. Decommissioning is defined as a seasonal thing. And the author must have been displaying her sense of humor when she made petcock two words. On the positive side, the book does abound with definitions of abbreviations. We all know the frustration of not being able to bring to mind the meaning of an acronym or abbreviation when called upon to do so. If you want a dictionary for this purpose, this one might be a good choice.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars for a better sailor... for a better reader too!, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nautical Terms & Abbreviations (Paperback)

This book came in handy while I was "armchair traveling" I was reading a series of Patrick O'Brien books, and the book of Nautical Terms and Abbreviations was an invaluable reading aid. It let me enjoy those novels much more, knowing exactly what was being mentioned or described along the narratives. A great asset in your reference library.