tudorsailor
Well-Known Member
I would like to buy a heavy weather sailing book. There are several out there on Amazon. Any recommendations for a book that is informative rather than scary
TudorDoc
TudorDoc
Which heavy weather sailing book (if any)
- Thread starter tudorsailor
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tcm
...
Much better off with a boat, rather than a book, in heavy weather.
KenMcCulloch
Well-Known Member
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I would like to buy a heavy weather sailing book. There are several out there on Amazon. Any recommendations for a book that is informative rather than scary
TudorDoc
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The Classic Adlard Coles 'Heavy Weather Sailing' is hard to beat in my view. I first came across it in a charter boat which had a copy aboard, about 20 years ago. One of the guys started reading it as we were motoring up the Sound of Sleat in glassy calm; after about an hour he came out of the hatch looking utterly terrified after reading about being pitchpoled in the Southern Ocean.
Enjoy, be informed AND scared!
I would like to buy a heavy weather sailing book. There are several out there on Amazon. Any recommendations for a book that is informative rather than scary
TudorDoc
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The Classic Adlard Coles 'Heavy Weather Sailing' is hard to beat in my view. I first came across it in a charter boat which had a copy aboard, about 20 years ago. One of the guys started reading it as we were motoring up the Sound of Sleat in glassy calm; after about an hour he came out of the hatch looking utterly terrified after reading about being pitchpoled in the Southern Ocean.
Enjoy, be informed AND scared!
stibbles
Well-Known Member
I have pre-ordered the new edition of "Heavy Weather Sailing", which is due out May 08 (if you can wait that long).
Danny Jo
Well-Known Member
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The Classic Adlard Coles 'Heavy Weather Sailing' is hard to beat in my view. I first came across it in a charter boat which had a copy aboard, about 20 years ago.
[/ QUOTE ] I agree, although it should be recognized that what may be good for boats built 50 years ago or so may be unsafe in a modern boat.
Having read a library copy of an earlier edition, I bought the fifth edition, revised by Peter Bruce. This may be more relevant to today's sailors, but is less fun to read. As Peter Bruce writes in the preface:
"In this fifth edition, expert advice precedes the anecdotal text to bring theory before the practice. Moreover, as Adlard Coles' own collection of heavy weather experiences is so widely known and occupies a treasure position upon so many bookshelves worldwide, it was felt that the time time had come to drop the majority of this material. The storms at sea have not changed, the situation on board has. For example, yachtsmen usually know exactly where they are these days, removing one great difficulty experienced in bad weather . . . "
Yes quite, but I wish I could find a copy of Adlard Coles' own book. The fifth edition has 27 chapters: one and a half from the original Adlard Coles editions, six and a half from the fourth edition and 19 new chapters. These later editions may be carrying on his tradition, but I think it is stretching a point to call it "Adlard Coles' Heavy Weather Sailing".
The forthcoming edition needs to be judged on its own merits, but I guess the publishers would prefer purchasing decisions to be driven by the reputation of the early editions. Awful thing to say about such an excellent book, but this practice has about it a whiff of disingenuity.
The Classic Adlard Coles 'Heavy Weather Sailing' is hard to beat in my view. I first came across it in a charter boat which had a copy aboard, about 20 years ago.
[/ QUOTE ] I agree, although it should be recognized that what may be good for boats built 50 years ago or so may be unsafe in a modern boat.
Having read a library copy of an earlier edition, I bought the fifth edition, revised by Peter Bruce. This may be more relevant to today's sailors, but is less fun to read. As Peter Bruce writes in the preface:
"In this fifth edition, expert advice precedes the anecdotal text to bring theory before the practice. Moreover, as Adlard Coles' own collection of heavy weather experiences is so widely known and occupies a treasure position upon so many bookshelves worldwide, it was felt that the time time had come to drop the majority of this material. The storms at sea have not changed, the situation on board has. For example, yachtsmen usually know exactly where they are these days, removing one great difficulty experienced in bad weather . . . "
Yes quite, but I wish I could find a copy of Adlard Coles' own book. The fifth edition has 27 chapters: one and a half from the original Adlard Coles editions, six and a half from the fourth edition and 19 new chapters. These later editions may be carrying on his tradition, but I think it is stretching a point to call it "Adlard Coles' Heavy Weather Sailing".
The forthcoming edition needs to be judged on its own merits, but I guess the publishers would prefer purchasing decisions to be driven by the reputation of the early editions. Awful thing to say about such an excellent book, but this practice has about it a whiff of disingenuity.
AndrewB
Well-Known Member
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Any recommendations for a book that is informative rather than scary
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To my mind a descriptive account may be more helpful than a discussion of tactics. In practice few cruisers employ the active measures in heavy weather that these books discuss. I've talked to a great many blue-water yachtsmen about their heavy weather experiences, in winds of 50 knots and above. Almost the invariable tactic is to lie ahull, or with a small storm jib, and retire below. Even if there is a sea anchor or drogue aboard, it has not been used. That is partly because it has never been tried beforehand - heavy weather is not a good time for experimenting. Lying ahull worked successfully for three yachts that passed through hurricane Vince off Maderia in 2005, whose skippers I spoke to immediately after.
Of course you must prepare properly for heavy weather. Adlard Coles early chapters in "Heavy Weather Sailing" give the best description of any, of what it will feel like the first time you are caught out. This is invaluable to help one to prepare mentally. I hope this hasn't been forgotten in the new edition of the book.
Any recommendations for a book that is informative rather than scary
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To my mind a descriptive account may be more helpful than a discussion of tactics. In practice few cruisers employ the active measures in heavy weather that these books discuss. I've talked to a great many blue-water yachtsmen about their heavy weather experiences, in winds of 50 knots and above. Almost the invariable tactic is to lie ahull, or with a small storm jib, and retire below. Even if there is a sea anchor or drogue aboard, it has not been used. That is partly because it has never been tried beforehand - heavy weather is not a good time for experimenting. Lying ahull worked successfully for three yachts that passed through hurricane Vince off Maderia in 2005, whose skippers I spoke to immediately after.
Of course you must prepare properly for heavy weather. Adlard Coles early chapters in "Heavy Weather Sailing" give the best description of any, of what it will feel like the first time you are caught out. This is invaluable to help one to prepare mentally. I hope this hasn't been forgotten in the new edition of the book.
Cornishman
Well-Known Member
Any book on Heavy Weather is bound to be scary, I would suggest.
Miles Smeeton's Once is Enough is a classic and there are several copies available from Amazon starting at a little over £2.
Having done a little heavy weather sailing I can assure you that it is far worse to read about than to experience, particularly if you have a vivid imagination.
Miles Smeeton's Once is Enough is a classic and there are several copies available from Amazon starting at a little over £2.
Having done a little heavy weather sailing I can assure you that it is far worse to read about than to experience, particularly if you have a vivid imagination.
Talbot
Well-Known Member
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To my mind a descriptive account may be more helpful than a discussion of tactics. In practice few cruisers employ the active measures in heavy weather that these books discuss.
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IMHO an essential part of being the skipper is to have condiered potential risk environments and analysed a number of "what -ifs" so that reaction to an emergency draws on this previous analysis and is more likely to select the correct course of action. However, purchasing equipment that features in your analysis is of little real benefit if you havent tried it!
To my mind a descriptive account may be more helpful than a discussion of tactics. In practice few cruisers employ the active measures in heavy weather that these books discuss.
[/ QUOTE ]
IMHO an essential part of being the skipper is to have condiered potential risk environments and analysed a number of "what -ifs" so that reaction to an emergency draws on this previous analysis and is more likely to select the correct course of action. However, purchasing equipment that features in your analysis is of little real benefit if you havent tried it!
Aeolus
Well-Known Member
You should read as many as you can. Different people have had different experiences in different sea conditions and you won't find everything in a single book. If you don't want to read scary descriptions, then perhaps you should avoid situations where scary happens. Unless you stick to sunny summer days in the Solent, then there is always a risk that the weather and sea will catch you out and the more you know, the better your chances.
However Adlard Coles is one of the more comprehensive books.
However Adlard Coles is one of the more comprehensive books.
alec
Well-Known Member
A book you might like to consider is 'All weather yachtsman' by Peter Haward published by Adlard Coles.
I really enjoyed it. It's about a delivery skipper after the war who delivered many poor old boats, often in diabolical weather.
The accounts of how he coped are a credit to him and his methods. Learnt loads and loads although thank god never really had to put them into practice.
As mentioned by Andrew, lying a hull with nothing up is what he recommends most of the time in the really nasty stuff. I suppose,if you are being pushed to leeward towards a pile of rocks, a drogue or anything you can chuck over the side is going to help.
I really enjoyed it. It's about a delivery skipper after the war who delivered many poor old boats, often in diabolical weather.
The accounts of how he coped are a credit to him and his methods. Learnt loads and loads although thank god never really had to put them into practice.
As mentioned by Andrew, lying a hull with nothing up is what he recommends most of the time in the really nasty stuff. I suppose,if you are being pushed to leeward towards a pile of rocks, a drogue or anything you can chuck over the side is going to help.
damo
Well-Known Member
Here is one in action..
G
Guest
Guest
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Here is one in action..
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I like the glance of fear over the right shoulder. Looking out for a freak wave?
Here is one in action..
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I like the glance of fear over the right shoulder. Looking out for a freak wave?
damo
Well-Known Member
Not that the shot was posed or anything... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
