Tropical Cruising Handbook [Hardcover]

Mark Smaalders (Author), Kim des Rochers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2001

The only guide devoted exclusively to low-latitude cruising, Tropical Cruising Handbook arms cruising sailors with the knowledge and skills they need to master the challenges of sailing the tropics. From navigating uncharted reefs to navigating Pacific cultures, from the effects of the tropical environment on boats and gear to the prevention and treatment of tropical illnesses and health hazards, the Handbook covers all the bases.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Don't go cruising ... without it ... Through every chapter ... runs an authoritative current of responsibility, good sense, and good manners." -- The Islands' Weekly (July 9-16, 2002) - review by Leta Currie-Marshall

"I thoroughly recommend Tropical Cruising Handbook, particularly (but not solely) for those beginning their tropical cruising." -- Cruising Helmsman Magazine Boat Books Review, June 2002

"[V]ast and hard-earned knowledge . . . informs every page . . ." -- Tim Queeney, editor, Ocean Navigator Magazine (online review)

... the authors deliver a rare gem — an instructional book as inspiring as it is sensible and comprehensive. -- Cruising World Magazine, November 2002

If you foresee low-latitude voyaging in your future, Tropical Cruising Handbook is sure to be of great use to you. -- Sea Magazine, November 2002

Tropical Cruising Handbook condenses much of the information you'll need into one compact source with some terrific references ... -- Good Old Boat Magazine Newsletter, October 2002

From the Back Cover

Each year, adventurous cruising sailors from around the globe, drawn by the promise of balmy breezes, picture-perfect scenery, exotic cultures, and unparalleled sailing conditions, set sail for the region lying between latitudes 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator. But the majority of cruisers hail from higher latitudes, and while many are accomplished temperate-water sailors, few are prepared for the unique weather patterns, living conditions, and navigational hazards they'll encounter in the tropics.

Tropical Cruising Handbook provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to meet those challenges. Drawing on their years of experience living in and cruising the tropics, Mark Smaalders and Kim des Rochers have written an accessible, easy-to-understand, yet comprehensive reference covering weather and sea conditions, tropical seamanship, visual and intuitive navigation, anchoring among reefs, passagemaking, and dealing with heavy weather, as well as boat maintenance in tropical environments, prevention and treatment of major and minor tropical illnesses, avoiding injury from hazardous marine life, safety and comfort in port, and dealing with officialdom. You'll also find helpful guidelines on how to enjoy yourself without harming or offending the environments and cultures you'll encounter. Finally, there is detailed, region-by-region coverage of tropical cruising grounds for use while planning a voyage to rough out itineraries around the vagaries of wind and weather.

Whether you want to circumnavigate the tropics or simply gunkhole the Bahamas, Tropical Cruising Handbook arms you with the expert advice and information you need to plan, prepare for, and realize your tropical cruising adventure.

"What strikes me most about Tropical Cruising Handbook is not so much the wide knowledge and hard-earned experience that inform every page, but the smart, straightforward writing. This book clearly demonstrates that sensible, safe voyaging in the tropics is an achievable goal."--Tim Queeney, editor, Ocean Navigator

The only comprehensive guide to mastering the challenges of low-latitude cruising

Tropical Cruising Handbook provides cruising sailors the knowledge and skills they need to master the challenges of sailing the topics. With the help of more than a hundred illustrations, Mark Smaalders and Kim des Rochers fill you in on

• Weather patterns and sea conditions, generally and region by region
• Reef navigation, anchoring, and other key tropical seamanship skills
• Tropical passage planning and passagemaking
• Equipping a boat for tropical sailing
• Maintaining gear in tropical environments
• Preventing and treating common tropical illnesses
• Avoiding injury from hazardous marine life
• Dealing with officials

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (December 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071372288
• ISBN-13: 978-0071372282
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Oceans & Seas > Coral Reefs

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Practical Guide In One Book, February 22, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tropical Cruising Handbook (Hardcover)

There are lots of books that do their best to guide you toward successful sailing but they never tell the whole picture. They all leave something out so you have to buy several books to get all that you need. This is the best and most complete single book on what it takes to do practical sailing, specializing in the tropics. Everything to think about... food and it's preservation,repairs to the boat, weather(cyclones) and forcasting, tropical diseases and how to stay healthy, and my favorite- pirates..how to stay away from them and be safe...of course much more. It's highly readable,too. If there was a fault I guess would have to say I wish there was more story telling of the author's experiences in his 25 year cruising time.But this book can't be beat for practical teaching and price. So I guess I read stories another time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nearly great, September 12, 2005

By 

---- Neil H. "A Trailer Sailor's Library" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tropical Cruising Handbook (Hardcover)

Too much time spent discussing the environmental damage to corals, and then the state of coral for each destination. If your goal is to dive at every stop, this is the book for you, if not, you can skip many parts of it. The other sections are excellent.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tropical Cruising Handbook, July 20, 2002

By 

Christopher Morton (Cabarita Beach, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tropical Cruising Handbook (Hardcover)

I have been a "wannabe" tropical cruiser for several years. I have read several 'cruising guides' and many magazine articles, but when I do go this is the one that will be on board. It is all there, well presented and in language we all understand. A gold-mine of solid, practical information, excellent value.