Dragged Aboard: A Cruising Guide for the Reluctant Mate (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "CRUISING-TRAVELING THE WORLD'S WATERWAYS IN YOUR OWN VESSEL-is not new..." (more)
Key Phrases: cruising children, cruising community, freshwater rinse, United States, Cool Change, Confronting Fears (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Here's the fantasy: lots of people dream of sailing the world without a care. And here's the reality: hesitant partners scuttle the vast majority of these reveries. Casey's genial primer, born out of the clash between his own sea legs and his wife's preference for land, is, essentially, a guide for sailing couples, but it addresses issues faced by anyone a little antsy about hoisting anchor. And with gentle, encouraging, and useful advice, it casts doubt off the end of the gangplank.

Casey writes quite nicely of cruising's joys--"To those with sufficient imagination, a boat with overnight accommodations is much more than just a floating second home. It is a magic carpet, a gold pass to the world beyond the horizon"--but this is less an ode than a presentation of pragmatics. Dragged Aboard addresses the fears that attend setting sail, and it explores the emotional ties--and potential eddies--between skipper and mate: "Don't expect sailing to bring out latent good qualities; it won't happen." It carefully ticks off the range of cruising practicalities, from preparation, communication, safety, and first aid to basic seamanship, keeping clean, and traveling with children. "There is no thrill on the planet quite like seeing your destination appear on the horizon after days at sea," he writes, and there is "only one way to truly know what that is like." Better, of course, to know it without being chained to the mast. --Jeff Silverman

From Booklist

Teeming with practical, easy-to-apply advice, for example, "Maneuvering a sailboat is a bit like driving a car on ice," Casey keeps good his word not to get too technical and instead focuses on such issues as confronting your fears and personal safety or how to make a boat as comfortable as your home. He assumes the reader knows nothing, going so far as to list types of fruit to buy and what items to put in the safety kit. Sage advice includes: never discuss drugs, even legal ones, over the radio and use pan-pan instead of Mayday when the emergency isn't life threatening. Despite the title, all newcomers to cruising will learn plenty, including general navigational basics and skills like docking and anchoring. One important caveat: although Casey admits to gender assumptions in the introduction, some patronizing references are hard to ignore, for example, "A man steps aboard as captain" and "Domestic issues fall to the mate." Nevertheless, this book will reassure and enlighten any reluctant mate--male or female. Brenda Barrera

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1st edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393046532
• ISBN-13: 978-0393046533
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #299,703 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Empty promises, February 9, 1999

By A Customer

As a reluctant mate, I found this book disappointing. Despite the refreshing title, once again, we have an enthusiastic male sailor rattling down the same old story. I recommend Diana B. Jessie's "The Cruising Woman's Advisor", in which cruising women, some of whom started out reluctantly, share their experience and give advice. If you're already hooked on sailing, this book does not tell you anything new, and if not, this definitely is not going to convince you of the opposite.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Title says it all, March 29, 1999

By	M. Mitchell (Lake Tahoe) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the third Don Casey book I've read and I like them all. Don has a easy going infomative style that doesn't come of as Mr. Know It All. His other books I've read were on maintenance related issues. This book is all about the emotions and realities of cruising. The chapter tiltes tell it all. "What is cruising really like?" "Confronting fears" "stocking the galley" etc. I have a hard time giving books five stars, but this is definitely a 4-1/2 star. It's only 170 some pages I'd like to see more. Would I buy again? Absolutely- If this title appeals to you the book will deliver. A two thumbs up!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comforting and instructive., October 13, 1998

By A Customer

"Dragged Aboard" is a comforting and instructive book.

Don Casey, who left his banking career to devote more time to cruising and writing, addresses the questions and apprehensions of the reluctant boating mate.

Thunderstorms, sun exposure, going to the bathroom, and even present-day pirates are just a few of the topics that Casey addresses.

He also details what general items you should be sure to take on your cruise, and where you should store them.

And he lists and explains 13 simple sailing terms (from Bow and Stern to Port and Starboard) that will make a reluctant mate's trip far richer and more enjoyable.

Casey's explaination of motion sickness could have been better handled, especially since that's a prime concern of many reluctant mates. Not only is motion sickness not listed in the index (you can find a short paragraph about it under "Sea Legs," on page 92), but when Casey mentions that we can find some effective remedies later in the book, he doesn't say where. (The info, by the way, is in Chapter 10, "Health and First Aid.)

Still, this is a commmendable book. It deserves to be a part of your nautical library, whether you have a reluctant mate or not.