Power Cruising [Paperback]

Claiborne Young (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 1999

Boating enthusiast Claiborne S. Young offers sportsmen a complete guide to the selection, outfitting, and maintenance of a power boat. Young has assembled his firsthand experience with power boats into a step-by-step manual, designed particularly with beginners in mind. Young's guide saves beginners and seasoned cruisers who are stepping up to a larger boat both time and money. It contains a wealth of research as well as valuable inside tips for avoiding common pitfalls. Young begins with preliminary advice to captains who are buying their first thirty- to forty-five-foot boat. Explaining how different types of hulls and designs can affect a boat's on-the-water performance, he helps determine the skipper's needs of size, power, and style. While waiting for the boat to be delivered, Young suggests that cruisers take care of details such as acquiring appropriate insurance, choosing a marina, and taking preliminary courses on navigation or safety. Once the boat has arrived, the most exciting part--outfitting--begins. Young lists the basic necessities as well as practical and optional accessories that can facilitate on-board tasks. His emphasis is on safety as he discusses flotation devices, communication and navigation systems, and the dual importance of reading charts and heeding the warnings of offshore navigational aids. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Claiborne S. Young's books for Pelican have become the gold standard for cruising guides. A resident of Elon College, North Carolina, Young edits the on-line cruising newsletter Salty Southeast.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A resident of Elon College, North Carolina, Claiborne S. Young edits the on-line cruising newsletter, Salty Southeast. Youngís books with Pelican have become the gold standard for cruising guides.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing; 2 Rev Sub edition (April 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565546350
• ISBN-13: 978-1565546356
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,017,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money, January 29, 2000

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power Cruising (Paperback)

At first glance it would appear this book would be a bible for all power boaters. This is not the case. The writer seems content passing his "war stories" off as fact and the only explanation as to why/how certain things happen on a boat. This is the 2nd. Edition and it reads and looks like it was written 20 years ago. Some care could have been taken to make a 1999 publication look like a 1999 publication. Early on in the "Becoming an informed buyer" section there is not one mention of using the internet as an information source. I think Newsgroups (like rec.boats) and other sites should be given at least a mention.

In the equipment section he mentions a 200,000 or 300,000 candle power portable searchlight are sufficient for nighttime cruising. PLEASE! Anyone who has seen/used one knows they are complete junk. In 1999 they sell great 1 million candlepower portables for next to nothing.

Finally the author calls Dock Line, "Rope". Do I need to say more?

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars power cruising:, April 6, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (atlanta, georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power Cruising (Paperback)

This useful basic introduction to the subject was spoiled for me by the lack of intelligent editing. Most importantly, the text becomes highly irritating with the frequent re-iteration of cute phrases such as "first-rate first mate" (for his wife); "very able research assistant" (for two or people who had so served) and "swinging on the hook" (for at anchor). Beyond that, the author's detailed memory for meals eaten aboard serves only to annoy. The addition of this and other, similiarly fluffy material makes one wonder if the intention is to meet a assigned page target. The fault may well lie with the editor, who should have chopped out the redundencies and enough fluff to permit more practical details, particularly regarding "down in the bilge", which tends to get short shrift. In sum, a book for beginners with money to spend which needs editing.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview for owners of trawlers, February 7, 1999

By 

J. Harbison (Las Cruces, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Power Cruising (Paperback)

This easily read book provided great information on a host of topics relevent to a new large powerboat owner. It focused on trawlers and large power boats instead of sail boats. There were great tips and useful techniques on how to buy a large powerboat, outfitting your boat, maintenance, practical accessories, and many aspects of cruising life. There were many useful "tricks" to make daily onboard routines like maintenance and housekeeping more enjoyable. One of the more interesting tips was on "winterizing" your water tanks by adding cheap vodka. While the section on navigational equipment reflects the early 1990's it is still a highly educational and useful section. My wife also found this book fascinating, educational, and enjoyable and has a new more positive perspective about extended periods onboard. I highly recommend it for all new larger powerboat owners.