Nigel Calder's Cruising Handbook: A Compendium for Coastal and Offshore Sailors Reviews

• The definitive Cruising Book?

  
  By A232QZUII76IGD on 2002-09-01
  Ordinarily,I would not get too excited about another new cruising book,even one by so eminent an author as Calder, whose previous work: Boatowner's Mechanical And Electrical Manual, has become an icon on both sides of the pond. While the cruising genre is a particular favorite of mine, recent offerings seem to have grown a bit redundant for those of us striving to keep abreast of the field.

  This book of Calder's is a whole new ball game.

  First of all: It's a very big book both physically, and in terms of it's diverse subject matter. At just under six hundred pages in an 8 ½ x 11inch format, it is not something I would refer to as a "handbook" unless speaking to a gorilla. The word "encyclopedic" springs to mind, as it is truly monumental in scope and execution...

  McGraw-Hill did a commendable job of putting it all together. It looks like it might last, even in the marine environment where it will most assuredly find a home. It features a water resistant cover and flexible spine, designed to lie flat when opened, a wonderful feature on a pitching chart table, far at sea, where information is scarce and time of the essence.

  It covers nearly everything. It covers it in exquisite detail. It covers it in a manner anyone can understand. There are chapters relating to most any conceivable contingency a cruiser might run in to, from boat selection, equipage, and maintenance, to the more esoteric areas of daily life on a cruising sailboat (and much more than I wanted to know about navigational history).

  Calder remains the quintessential "systems" man and his section on surveying a prospective purchase, with it's attendant checklist, is, alone, worth the price of the book. The section on weather and prediction should be required reading for every television forecaster in the country. There are up to date chapters on shipboard health, and disease prevention criteria for every sector of the world. Nearly every page is clearly illustrated, and at the end of each technical chapter a "worksheet" so that you may evaluate your own vessel or system. Here is a man not afraid to infuse his material with the very latest in technological know how, even though it may at some point appear dated. For the mathematically inclined there are charts, graphs and formulas enough to satisfy the most gifted. And all this, is just the tip of the iceberg.
  
  I have read this book cover to cover and word for word (it took a very long time). Is it the proverbial "One Book Cruising Library" - the definitive work on the subject?

  I think it may well be.
  
  

• A very complete reference

  
  By A2XD56Q2Z7ZQNY on 2003-12-21
  The strength of this book is its readability. Calder writes very well, and he organizes this book in a way that makes it something one can read from cover to cover. Reading his work actually makes you want to be sailing.

  His treatment of yacht design is a fantastic walk through the desireable characteristics of yachts for cruising. If you are buying a boat, read this book before you finalize your decision. Calder acknowledges that every boat is a compromise, and he clearly favors traditional design over modern lines (he repeatedly expresses his distaste for wing keels, for example).

  The book then progresses through different sailing and cruising skills and issues. His discussion of anchoring is one of the best I have seen, and he does an admirable job of explaining marine weather.

  The one thing to keep in mind about this book is that it is rather "blue sky". He describes the ultimate cruising yacht (which looks remarkably like his own) and tends to overcook some of the concerns with "lesser" designs. Not everyone can afford to have a brand new Pacific Seacraft 40 built for them from scratch, but this is the boat Calder essentially lists as the perfect cruising yacht.
  
  

• This is the book you need!

  
  By A1TZQ1N28X4CZ3 on 2002-04-30
  This book goes into the detail necessary to outfit a cruising boat. The pictures and diagrams make the concepts very clear, and easy to implement. Many books have a few great ideas, but Calder concetrates them in one spot. The 18 page "Checklist of Desirable Features" at the end of the first section is worth the price of the book alone!
  
  

• Excellent!

  
  By A8MMTQCTXDHRM on 2001-08-29
  In my point of view, I like the practical and no-non sense approach. It goes beyond the simplistic explanation but still serves beginners, who ignore details, into this subject. A pleasure to read, very friendly written. Realistic explanations, a real gem to follow. Now that I have read it, I will keep it on board. The book starts anywhere, it is all equally atractive and appropriate.
  
  

• Great book for anyone with a boat - power or sail

  
  By ATFUXM9VIDBC0 on 2002-01-31
  I teach vessel handling and I am a private yacht captain. If I had only one book to prepare for an offshore journey (or just wanted to dream about it), this is hands-down the best. Well written and illustrated. A great gift for anyone with a boat - power or sail.
  
  
• Really good!
  By on 2002-05-29
  This book covers multiple sailors' topics of interest, not just for the serious cruising sailor, but for anyone with a sailboat who weekends. (There isn't much about "racing" as in optimizing speed, racing tactics, etc. though.) I really recommend it!
  
  
• A must have for sailing cruisers
  By AK9GL0YOJXLTW on 2007-01-22
  I wish I had bought this book before I bought my newest old boat - my personal survey would have been much more effective.
  
  This book covers so much, so well. Mr. Calder obviously not only has the knowledge but the motivation to really think about what should go into each area. He covers choosing, maintaining, upgrading, and cruising a boat to just the right degree that if you had no other resources, this book would usually suffice. And he does this in such a relatively small book.
  
  
• It's a Beauty
  By A20Y07C6ZWDXCU on 2003-01-12
  Nigel has great credibility and this book adds to this. His approach to writing about the stuff cruisers need to know is clean, clear and spare. The illustrations are good. The index is outstanding.
  This book is a great add-on for those who already have his earlier maintenance book
  
  
• mostly about calder's boat
  By A366RYCNT87FSM on 2006-12-11
  this is book about cruising in a sailboat but is mostly filled with pictures and references to his sailboat and what a great boat it is. i wanted a book about cruising after you have a boat.
  
  
• A "MUST READ" before you make your commitment
  By A1M8VWW3NLCTHV on 2002-03-25
  Nigel tries to be very objective, but also makes his preferences and recommendations well known. After digesting this book, you will have a much better basis for making the multitude of decisions and tradeoffs that are inevitable in selecting and commissioning your "ideal" crusing boat.
  
  
• Nearly best book
  By A3QR8LPD8TBN5C on 2005-09-20
  After my 22000 nautical miles bluewater sailing and cruising life still I feel myself really beginner.
  Great book,and many thanks to Nigel Calder.
  
  
• Good manual and info on sailing
  By A3N7FVJWBME6PR on 2006-12-11
  Well thought out and good graphics/photos. Solid marine related information and guide. A good book for the sail oriented seamen.
  
  
• Really essential
  By AY7PBPSV57NUD on 2006-04-06
  Quite a bit of good info here although Nigel does let his rather strong opinions shine through in some areas. Smile.
  
  
• The Cruising Handbook is the reference manual to have
  By A3LQYEA8078IRC on 2006-10-28
  For cruising, Nigel Calder's book is the one that offers the most good information about a variety of cruising-related subjects. If I had to choose to keep only couple of books for boating, it would be this and Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship. This Cruising Handbook is especially geared for sailboats and covers all boat systems and the issues you are likely to encounter.
  
  
• Nigel Calder's Cruising Handbook
  By A4W8VSFIJJZQ1 on 2005-07-20
  Outstanding book on cruising. Written primarily for sailboats, the day-to-day cruising information provided applies to power boaters also. This is one book cruisers should have onboard for quick reference.
  
  Nigle is one of today's best marine authors giving clear descriptions of the many boating tasks.
  
  
  
• Great book
  By A28WX129QU88IP on 2005-09-12
  Lot's of sailing info packed into one book. Covers many different aspects of sailing.
  
  
• Gotta Get It!
  By A37F0UON54WK5H on 2007-07-16
  My husband and I currently own a CS30 that we race and cruise on the Chesapeake Bay. We have been seriously considering moving up to a 37-40 ft cruiser. We bought this book (among several others) to prepare for cruising. It is fantastic. He covers every topic imaginable in an easy to digest format. It is a resource you don't want to be without!
  
  
  
  
• Nigel Calders Cruising Handbook
  By A20HBIBRRTG8RS on 2008-02-29
  I took this book out of the library, then renewed it for a second two weeks and still decided it had so much information I just NEEDED a copy of my own on board. Don't sail without it. An encyclopedia of information.
  
  
• Simply the Best
  By AR1259P6XSHKX on 2008-04-05
  Skip the rest. Read the best. After purchasing several hundred pounds of boating publications I can definitively say, "Save yourself the trouble and buy this first."
  
  
• Excellent!
  By A8MMTQCTXDHRM on 2001-08-29
  In my point of view, I like the practical and no-non sense approach. It goes beyond the simplistic explanation but still serves beginners, who ignore details, into this subject. A pleasure to read, very friendly written. Realistic explanations, a real gem to follow. Now that I have read it, I will keep it on board. The book starts anywhere, it is all equally atractive and appropriate.
  
  

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