One of the great things about boating is that out on the water you are the captain, you re in charge. You are, so to speak, an island. But what happens when you re a little further down the chain of command? Author Joy Smith addresses that very topic in The Perfect First Mate: A Woman s Guide to Recreational Boating. After years of on-the-boat-training, where she learned to deal with what she calls Captain My Way, Smith has put together a helpful collection of tips to make any outing more enjoyable, whether it s a day trip or an extended cruise. Advice abounds on topics such as packing and storing, food preparation and getting comfortable below deck. Smith s straightforward, conversational style of explaining basic safety, navigation and foul-weather preparation procedures should be of particular help to unseasoned first mates. --Boating World, January 2009
Joy Smith became the perfect first mate the hard way by learning from scratch. In her book, she provides new first mates with practical, time-proven advice that takes the grief out of boating and makes it relaxing and pleasurable. Smith and her husband started with a small boat and progressed through a series of larger boats to their current Freedom 45 yacht, JOY FOR ALL SEASONS, so she has helpful hints for those with all types of boats, from pocket cruisers to spacious yachts.
In her book, Smith covers provisioning, storing food, bedding, wet and dry clothes, avoiding undesirable odors, the stove, the ice chest, and the essential head. She also discusses cooking on board in calm and rough seas, entertaining guests on a rainy weekend, choosing foul-weather gear and boating shoes, avoiding and/or surviving seasickness, and the desirability of having pets on board.
Smith, who has many years of boating experience, stresses the need for the first mate to become comfortable with the boat. She recommends that first mates take USPS boating courses and perhaps a hands-on course given for and taught by women. The first mate needs to be comfortable handling the wheel or tiller, reading a chart, and boating in fog. Docking or catching a mooring is always a challenge, and Smith provides some helpful hints to lessen the anxiety connected with this task. And most important of all, she discusses how best to relate to the captain, especially during times of stress.
All in all, The Perfect First Mate is a book that all first mates can learn from whether they are novices or old hands at boating. This would make a great holiday gift from the captain. First mates, if your captain is not inclined to read reviews, highlight this one in international orange and leave it where he will see it. If that doesn't work and your husband needs more than a hint, buy it yourself and tell him he gave it to you. You will both find that the knowledge contained in this book will make your boating experiences much more pleasurable. --The ENSIGN, October 2000
With 20 years of experience, Joy Smith shares the hard-won secrets of keeping both boat and crew shipshape.
From packing and planning for needs aboard to enjoying life at the dock or under way. This book helps boaters streamline tasks and maximize efficiency, safety and comfort, while above all leaving plenty of time for pleasure.
Its contents cover storage issues, moving and sleeping comfortably below decks, keeping the cabin warm/cool, counteracting boat odour, and dealing with laundry, marine toilets, and trash.
One entire section is devoted to food: provisioning and storage, equipping the galley, and cooking with original recipes included.
The author also provides in-depth discussions on how to protect against the elements, avoid injury, and deal with the logistics of sailing, from planning, navigation and weather to performing First mate duties on deck. --Sailing (South Africa), February 2000
