best book on solo Atlantic crossing.

[superawesometeam]

[first time posting - please be kind]

am looking to do the Trade Wind Route next Fall/Winter, but am admittedly a novice sailor at best.

was wondering what would be the best read on practical Atlantic crossings [nothing too deep, IE Moitessier, but more hands-on]

many thanks!

 

[ghostlymoron]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-First-...=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290433845&sr=1-2

 

[ianat182]

Edward Allcard's Atlantic crossing in his yacht 'Temptress' around 1950,is a good read, and his return with a female stowaway(Otilia Freyo as I recall), he took 31 days outward from the Canaries, and slightly longer coming back.............!!
I met him in Gibraltar just prior to his first departure, as an impressed 16 year old crew on a 72 ft HDML "Fenella" which he visited.
As I recall the Temptress was a 34ft yawl. What size are you intending to sail across?

I'm sorry I don't remember the actual titles of the two books, but no doubt Amazon will have a record.Edit: " Singlehanded Passage" and "Temptress Returns" and Google search 'Edward Allcard'.

ianat182

 

[oldvarnish]

Edward Allcard's Atlantic crossing in his yacht 'Temptress' around 1950,is a good read
As I recall the Temptress was a 34ft yawl. What size are you intending to sail across?

And Temptress is still afloat and in good nick, in Falmouth I think, and owned by Mark Fishwick - he of the pilot books and YM

 

[oldvarnish]

This is pretty good:

http://www.rccpf.org.uk/publicat/ind_book/axg/pub_axg.htm

 

[Searush]

Ann Davison "My ship is so small" was the first female solo transatlantic. Very slow passage because she hove-to for a good night's sleep every night.

Humphrey Barton wrote a book summarising all transatlantic voyages up too the late 50's which might be helpfull.

A more recent attempt(s) were made by Trevor Wilson "Sailing alone across the Atlantic- a Pensioner's Tale" Trevor has had a few attempts & not yet made it so it's a very good read to help you understand what can go wrong.
Clicky here

 

[Boo2]

Very slow passage because she hove-to for a good night's sleep every night.

Is one supposed to hoist the anchor ball if one does that ?

Boo2

 

[Poignard]

'The Ship Would Not Travel due West' by David Lewis

'Up That Particular Creek' by Val Howells

Both enjoyable reads whether you make a crossing or not.

 

[superawesometeam]

!

apologies for just now getting back to you [all].

ghostlymoron - thanks! ordered.

ianat182 - will do an Amazon search tonight. I'll be in a 24' sloop [Achilles]

oldvarnish - did a bit of research on that and it's getting some low reviews... you used it yourself? not that I usually mind, but it's $100 on Amazon, so would want to make sure it was worth it...

searush - will order it, but might need to sandwich it between two more... positive books, ha.

parsifal - much appreciated!

 

[Wunja]

You might want to add "Big bloke, small boat: Voyage of a madman" - William Garnier to your list, though I must confess that I've only read the introduction so far (I've been banned from reading it until Christmas!)

 

[nigelm]

surely "Shrimpy" by Shane Acton is worth a mention , just for entertainment value if nothing else ........................................................................

 

[Little Five]

Do buy Alaistar Buchan's Sailing an Atlantic circuit in which he tells of his voyage in a Hurley 20. He also wrote another one (cant remember the title) of another atlantic crossing in a 27 footer.
His books are well written and full of brilliant info and so so sensible.

 

[Pleiades]

Great book!

"Hands Open" by Leslie T Powles, delightfully recounting a few of his solo circumnavigations in Solitaire - a great read by one super tough but very modest gentleman. Les is awaiting print of an updated book which adds in his most recent circumnavigation. I think there may be an article about Solitaire's exploits in a future YM.

Robin

Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5

 

[LittleSister]

surely "Shrimpy" by Shane Acton is worth a mention , just for entertainment value if nothing else ........................................................................

Seconded. Not just for entertaintment, though.

 

[superawesometeam]

?

banned? this sounds like a good story.

 

[Joker]

Paul Heiney's 'Last Man Across the Atlantic'.
Here

 

[multihullsailor6]

Slightly off topic, this IMHO is an excellent book on short handed sailing in general:
SHORT-HANDED SAILING by Alastair Buchan
This one is coming up on ebay UK soon:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SHORT-HANDED-...0490111310?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item45f69b394e

Planning the trip myself and also solo for next year in my 34' cat.

 

[TQA]

Another vote for Shrimpy here.

Any time you feel a bit scared / overwhelmed / have I got enough boat / supplies / communications etc read a bit of how Shane Acton did it and get reassured.

 

[RobF]

Could also try
RCC Pilotage Foundation - The Atlantic Crossing guide. I've got this book and it's v good. Just wish I had time (and an appropriate boat) to do this.

Not sure if it's still in print, but Mulville's - Single handed sailing is a very informative book, although a bit dated now.

 

[mattonthesea]

John Beattie's "The Breath of Angels" is a good read. He gets it all wrong, learns from it (eventually) and goes on to have quite an adventure. It's the book wot inspired me to get to Las Palmas (so far!)

I think on Amazon for a few quid http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breath-Angels-John-Beattie/dp/1851586970