The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Most mass-produced sailboats are based on the coastal cruiser philosophy..." (more)
Key Phrases: protective slick, smart regulator, series drogue, Black Box, Fifth Essential, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Most owners of cruising sailboats wonder whether their boats are suitable for an offshore passage, be it across the Gulf of Maine or the Pacific Ocean, and if not, whether they can be made suitable. This preoccupation arises partly from a latent spirit of adventure and partly from the desire for a seaworthy boat. We all want to believe that our boats can go anywhere and stand more of a beating from wind and waves than we can. Who knows when we might get caught out in the open by bad weather? It's enough to worry about our own responses without also having to suspect that the boat is fundamentally unsafe. Similarly, every potential buyer of a cruising sailboat is told that the boat is capable of sailing around the world. It's very difficult to get good advice and trustworthy facts, and that's where this book comes in. Focusing on production fiberglass cruising sailboats, the book explains, feature by feature, what makes a seaworthy boat. The book leads with an interactive questionnaire that tells the reader whether his/her boat possesses enough of the fundamental design/construction attributes of seaworthiness to make it a worthy candidate for offshore sailing. Having established whether the goal is achievable, Vigor then tells the reader how to get there, covering structural modifications and reinforcements as well as rigging, fittings, engine, systems, and gear. The final chapter outlines techniques for handling a boat at sea in adverse conditions, including heavy weather. This book will interest every owner and potential buyer of a cruising sailboat.

From the Back Cover

What reviewers have said about John Vigor's books. The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge--"The perfect, practical gift to give or receive."--The Ensign. "Since boating involves such a variety of disciplines, finding a single, comprehensive source of instructional information has been virtually impossible--until now."--Rhode Island Boating. The Sailor's Assistant--"An excellent addition to any sailor's library."--Sailing. "Vigor presents an incredible amount of material in a very clear way."--Ocean Navigator. "I recommend it to all readers without qualification. It will probably see more use than any other book in your collection.--The Ash Breeze. Discover if your cruising sailboat is offshore-capable--and how you can refit for worry-free bluewater voyaging. Whether you're planning an offshore voyage or just want to make your boat more stout and safe for sea, this book is the perfect start.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Intl Marine Pub (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071343288
• ISBN-13: 978-0071343282
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,855,260 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST Buy For Anyone Serious About Venturing Off Shore, January 13, 2000

By	Bill Williams (Escondido, CA) - See all my reviews

In The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat, author John Vigor covers the requirements for any sailboat venturing beyond coastal waters. He first defines what makes a boat suitable for offshore sailing, then provides a virtual checklist of improvements that can "harden" a boat in order to meet the requirements for heavy weather sailing. In one chapter there is are 56 questions to test the fitness of any boat. The final score on this test helps the sailor determine whether or not a boat is blue water capable. He also addresses the operation of a boat on a long voyage, and what should be expected in the way of weather. Provisioning is also addressed in this book. An appendix covers the Catalina 27, a model that has over 6000 boats manufactured. His assesment is that this boat is the "Volkswagen Beetle" of the boating world, and is a very seaworthy choice for it's price and size. He tells of Patrick Childress making a solo circumnavigation in a Catalina 27. Any boat owner contemplating a long offshore cruise would be well advised to read this book before venturing out without making the improvements suggested.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Advice, January 22, 2002

By	D Paul "D Paul" (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat: A Guide to Essential Features, Handling, and Gear (Paperback)

You can easily pick up three books on offshore sailing and get three separate opinions of what type of boat you need. A fast boat will get across the pond faster. A big boat adds stability and can carry lots of accessories like auxiliary generators and water makers. John's theory is that you should get a boat that can be handled well by a small crew and tough enough to handle any weather that you are likely to run into. Since his opinion parallels my own, I can only assume that he is obviously a sailing genius. This book is highly recommended for anyone contemplating a voyage over the horizon.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Book, June 18, 2003

By	GEORGE R. FISHER (Boston MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat: A Guide to Essential Features, Handling, and Gear (Paperback)

Even if you do not plan to sail shorthanded thousands of miles offshore it's a very good idea to understand in detail what makes your boat seaworthy in difficult circumstances and to make it so.

This book is a very thorough and very readable treatment of the subject of everything you need to know about a sailboat (except how to sail; that part is assumed). These sorts of things distinguish good sailors from the mass of recreational sailors and I, for one, have an ambition to become the former. If you do, too, then this is a great book to read several times.

The Black Box theory of why some people are lucky and others aren't relates to preparedness and if only once in your life you need it, then it's worth it to you and your companions to have taken the trouble.