The Capable Cruiser (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author) "Someone once said that even the most perfect marriage is an exquisite compromise..." (more)
Key Phrases: bobstay fitting, soft dinghy, handbearing compass, New Zealand, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Pardeys motto is Ever Vigilant - at anchor, under sail, going aloft, all the time. Over the years their experience has allowed them to see a lot of mishaps. They are to be commended for being so candid about times when they themselves were less than vigilant. With this book they hope to make the reader more vigilant and as a result to make him more self-confident and his cruise safer and more fun. -- Vicki Carkhuff - Sail Magazine, 1989

Product Description

Successful cruising, according to the Pardeys, comes from a combination of the right people on board the right boat, and proper preparation, gear maintenance, and seamanship. A logical sequel to their The Self Sufficient Sailor, here are all the considerations for success analyzed by two genuine and very human experts.

Thirty-three chapters are grouped under general topics such as: Preparing to Go; Maintenance at Sea; Safety Aloft; At Anchor; Choosing Gear; Care of Self and Crew; Seamanship.

The Pardeys analyze disasters such as What happened at Cabo San Lucas, and what it means to all cruising sailors. They even discuss finances and how to pay your way as you voyage. In short, here is what every cruising sailor should know before setting sail.

The Pardeys now have a base in New Zealand from which they sail the world in Taleisin, which they built themselves in California.

The Pardeys make another important point: Marine manufacturers dont usually have a large enough market to enable them to test their products under extreme conditions, but the buyer stands a better than fifty-fifty chance of getting that opportunity. Obviously, some gear passes the test and some doesnt. Over the years the Pardeys have become a sort of one-couple consumers reporting service, and the most valuable portions of this book discuss boats, systems, and equipment that were given the ultimate test and how they fared. Photographs add immensely to this section.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 385 pages
• Publisher: Paradise Cay Publications; 2nd edition (1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964603624
• ISBN-13: 978-0964603622
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,149,282 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These people make it possible, May 11, 1999

By A Customer

I read in a sailing magazine that the Pardey's are known as the "enablers". So I bought this book, liked the title, cause that is what I want to be. This is the first sailing book that does bring cruising within my means, mentally and financially. I will definitely be reading more of the books written by this couple. Informative, easy to read and sometimes even funny. First rate and never out of date.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound advice, February 24, 2000

By A Customer

The Paradays allways have a sound oposite view in a world of more and more technical cruising and sailing where everything is supposed to be bought ready to use. This book is a collection of articles that deal with real world problems for the long distance cruiser. For example: how long does varnish last? I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in more than a race around the bouys.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic, March 29, 1999

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

I haven't read other Pardey books so I can't compare with other titles. However, this book reflects there style (minimalist) and budget (ditto) which I think is applicable to many. Even if you want more luxury it is nice to know that people have done lots of crusing with much less. Book includes thoughts about choosing a cruising boat, equiping it, maintaining it, and actual curising and seamanship information.As a want-to-be soon hope-to-be cruiser I think the book had lots of good practical information. Doesn't cover everything but what it covers is well thought out and clearly explained. I intend to buy other Pardey books as well. Would I buy again. Yes!