We, the Navigators

by Dr. David Lewis

 

Dr. Lewis has produced an excellent work on the navigational methods of the Pacific Islanders. These people often attain very high levels of accuracy during long passages, without using navigational instruments of any kind. The author is a veteran of sailing his 40' (12.2m) catamaran, Rehu Moana. His travels include a round-the-world voyage and several transatlantic crossings. To research this book, he re-enacted the voyages of Pacific Islanders for over 13,000 miles by using an auxiliary gaff ketch, and often relied upon native islanders as navigators. He also built a number of canoes in order to investigate navigational techniques and test their accuracy. Much has been lost of the ancient Pacific methods of navigation. Some have been retained, handed down orally from generation to generation. Dr. Lewis found no trace of a ‘sixth sense’ or any other mysticism in navigation, but he determined that there were sound and practical reasons that a navigator would know where land was located. The moving reference island system (etak) is quite sophisticated.

There is a wealth of detail in this volume, but the reader could be particularly intrigued by de­scriptions and accuracy of figures on the following navigational methods: determining current set by underwater phosphorescence and by flying fish usually heading into the current before re-entering the water; sidereal compass; bearings and course by horizon stars; wave shape and orientation to indicate presence, direction, and distance of land; leeway estimates from wave shapes; zenith stars; wind compass; and forecasting weather by observation of animal habits on land.

This fine book contains anthropological infor­mation on trade and migratory contacts of the Pacific Islanders. It discusses design of their various vessels, commenting  on tacking, speed, windward ability, strength and flexibility, carrying capacity, provisioning, and reasons for voyaging. Two appendices respectively give details on variation of star bearings with latitude and directional marks ashore. Index & list of references are unusually detailed and complete. The many illus­trations are well done and help clarify the systems and methods described.It is recommended for those who sail or plan to sail the Pacific.

 

#200 Softcover, 6" x 9 1/4", 349pp, many illustrations … Eur 35,10

 

 

The Weather Handbook – 2nd Edition

by Alan Watts

 

If you’re frustrated with the local weather forecaster, than this is the book for you.

It explains, in straightforward terms, how to look at the sky and interpret what the clouds indicate about the upcoming weather. With your own observations you’ll be able to obtain the correct assessment of the immediate and future situation, wherever you may be.

 

#374 Hardcover, 160 pp, 6"x9", mostly color photos, descriptive charts and graphs 

…Eur 24,95

 

The Wharram Design Book –

Build Yourself A Modern Seagoing Polynesian Catamaran

by James Wharram

 

James Wharram has designed, built, and sailed catamarans for 30 years.

His experience is vast. More than 6,000 Wharram designs have been sold. Wharram cats have sailed over a half million deep-sea miles without a single capsize by wind or wave action. This safety record is quite impressive.

Contents: Introduction to Multihulls; Wharram Seen By the World of Yachting; Design Develop­ment; Polynesian Principles into Modern Design; Construction; Building Materials; Flexible Hull Connections; Open-deck Catamarans; Interiors; Rigs; Classic Designs; Pahi Designs; and Coastal Trek Designs.

 

#203 Softcover, 8 1/2" x 11 3/4", 63pp, many b&w photos, drawings, spiral-bound …Eur 12,50

 

 

 

World Cruising Routes – Fifth Edition

by Jimmy Cornell

 

    This book is a comprehensive guide to nearly 1000 sailing routes covering all the oceans of the world, from the Arctic and Antarctic. The book is geared specifically to the needs of sailors ans contains essential information on winds, currents, regional and seasonal weather as well as valuable suggestions concerning optimum times for individual routes. Most of the material was gathered during the author's two circumnavigations and supplemented by sailors taking part in Jimmy Cornell's offshore rallies.
    All the necessary information for planning a voyage in any of the world's oceans has been brought together here in a single volume. This thoroughly revised new edition features new data collected by the author on his recent voyage from Antarctica to Alaska via Tahiti and Hawaii.
    To simplify the planning of individualroutes, some 6000 essential waypoints are listed, and specific routing suggeations given to maximize the chances of encountering favorable conditions en route. Because cruising boats now venture further afield, main ports of entry as well as essential landfall information are given with each route to assist the planning of passages from beginning to  end.

 

#207 Hardcover, 8" x 10 1/2", 624pp, charts …Eur 62,45

 

 

 

Wreck and Resurrection – 

How I Made $60,000 Repairing My Sailboat

by David Harris
 

Five days after Hurricane George roared through the Florida Keys in September of 1998, David Harris was on the sea in his dinghy, searching for his boat, Top Cat. The last time he saw the 32-foot catamaran, it was anchored in a shallow, protected cove, ready (or so he thought) to ride out the storm. When he finally found it, the boat was on the shore and upside down, its hull spiked by mangroves – it was declared a total loss by the insurer. Yet, armed with little more than a homeowner’s carpentry, electrical, and plumbing skills, Harris repaired Top Cat. He spent less than half the insurance proceeds in the process, “earning” over $60,000. Best of all, he applied what he learned along the way to improvements and upgrades; after the repairs were complete, the boat was better in many ways than before the wreck.

This book is Harris’ account of the wreck and repair of Top Cat, from his storm anchorage to his struggle to get the insurance claim settled, to his efforts to repair the boat himself. Black and white drawings and diagrams illustrate the text.

Those planning an ambitious boat-repair project will find the book both a resource and an inspiration. Readers who enjoy a true tale of large challenges determinedly met, and inventively mastered, will be entertained by Harris’ account of the boat wreck and his salvage and repair experiences.
 

#353 Black and white illustrations and diagrams …Eur  20,35

 

 

The Yacht Designs of Simpson Design

by Roger Simpson
 

Simpson’s opening statement is: If you are busy collecting design brochures from designers before making your final choice:

“You should collect them all. You’ll note our approach is somewhat different and we indicate those differences.” He stresses simplicity... and explains the difference between hi-tech versus “appropriate technology.” For learning the strip-planking technique he offers the 15' Skid Row Canoe. You make all your little errors on this before you start your dreamboat.

Then he shows numerous of his cruising designs, which he is so well known for. Roger Simpson has a knack for explaining – with great clarity – which is what makes his other book “Simpson On Boat­building” so sought after (also available from MM).
 

#276 Softcover, 8 1/2" x 11 3/4", 46pp …Eur 16,00

 

 

Yacht Hi-Jack

by Ralph Stephenson
 

An explosive cocktail of sex, drugs and danger on the high seas...

Newlyweds Linda and Martin Firth set out to track down Linda’s beautiful but wayward older sister who had disappeared under mysterious cir­cumstances while crewing as an extra hand on the yacht Milady’s return from Baltimore in the U.S. to Plymouth, England. They soon find themselves embroiled in the dangerous and murky world of drug-running.

Ralph Stephenson was born in New Zealand and started sailing in Hong Kong. He worked as a civil servant, and then in London for the British Film Institute. He is an author of thrillers as well as books on sailing and the cinema. Most familiar to multihull enthusiasts through his book “7000 Miles in a Trimaran.”
 

#246 Hardcover, 5 1/2" x 8 3/4", 171 pp …Eur 27,20

 

 

Yachting Guide To The ABC Islands – 1997/1998 Edition

by Gerard van Erp
 

The new Yachting Guide to the ABC Islands efficiently provides the visitors and cruising sailors with the “local knowledge” and sailing instructions they appreciate.

The ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, are being more and more frequented by visiting yachts, so the color reproduction of the official Dutch marine charts (with permission), are most useful. Although marked “not for navigation” the detail – especially the harbor charts, allow the frugal sailor to avoid purchasing full-sized charts.

The appendices list useful GPS coordinates and a handy conversion table for wind speeds, com­paring Beaufort references to knots, km/h, mph and meters/second. Curaçao has an excellent hurricane hole and the only haul-out facilities on the three islands.
 

#257 Softcover, 6 1/2" x 9", 96 pp, with colored Dutch marine charts

 …Eur 21,20   

 

Yachting Signal Book

by J. R. Collier
 

The art of communicating at sea with speed and precision developed quite early, in response to necessity. In naval history, it can be said that the development of code flags was every bit as important as the development of the cannon.

Even today warships continue to maintain national signal codes, and all merchant vessels are equipped to use the International Code of Signals.

However, among the principal users of signal flags nowadays, are pleasure boaters. In addition to electronic communications, members of prestigious yacht clubs that are steeped in nautical tradition, use flags widely, as do race committees wherever boats are raced. Anyone who has witnessed a yachting event will attest to the fact that these colorful silent signals are not only displayed with gusto, but also heighten the pageantry of the event.

Until now there has not been a universal code of signals for the recreational boater. The Yachting Signal Book uniquely provides just that. Its particular emphasis is on encoding and decoding flags and radio signals to relay messages between vessels, individually or in group formation.  It also includes such topics as the techniques of signaling, protocols of flag usage, signaling about administrative matters and social affairs, and maneuvering instructions for racing and ceremonial events. It deals with emergency situations and their relationship to the Inter­national Code of Signals and the Rules of the Road.

This thorough and comprehensive book will deservedly take its place in the libraries of sailors and other nautical-minded persons, and will become an indispensable guide for the increasing number of people who enter and enjoy the wonderful world of yachting.

About the author: Capt. James R. Collier, USN (Ret.), commanded amphibious forces, a service force, and destroyer type ships and units in WW II, Korea and Vietnam.

He has participated in sail racing and in organized cruising, as well as in major yachting events in the Puget Sound area. He was one of the founders of the Chicago to Great Lakes Cutlass Race.

 

#443 Hardcover, 118 pp …was: $17.50 …NOW: Eur 13,15

 

 

 

 

Yachtsman’s Ten Language Dictionary – Revised Edition

by Barbara Webb & Michael Manton
 

This new edition has been extensively revised, updated and expanded to meet the needs of today’s cruising skippers. English, French, German, Dutch, Danish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Greek and Turkish. There are over 600 new terms for electrical/electronic and mechanical equipment and fiberglass boat construction. Carefully arranged chapters: Emergencies, Formalities, In Harbor, The Boat, The Engine & Drive System, Steering, Refrigeration, In the Shipyard, At Sea, Navigation and General Reference.

 

#469 Softcover, 8 1/2” x 6 1/2", 224 pp …Eur 14,50  (NL Uitgave/edition)