10 must have sailing books - Part 1

When it comes to sailors’ Bibles, Tanakh, Qurans, Vedas, Dianetics, Tripitakas, and all the other "(un)necessary" argy-bargy nonsense - don't look any further. Ok, maybe you should look just a little bit further once in a while, out of the box per se, but these are the essentials every single (and married) sailor, or wannabe sailor, needs to have in boat library (library in a form of a converted shelf for spices in the galley. Sorry honey). I'm more than sure that everyone has his/her own Top 10 books for sailing, but this is our TamedWinds.com subjective list that we decided to share with you.

1. Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual: Repair and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems (4th edition) by Nigel Calder, 960 pages
   
   

First and foremost, The Bible!

There were many versions and even more interpretations of the "Bible" during the history, many different authorities were arguing who is right and who is wrong. I’ve heard and read lots of them and I can tell you that this is the real one. The only true one ;) This is a new and old testament together, which is one of the reasons why this last 4th edition has 960 pages. Everything that every believer in sailing must have under the pillow. Every miracle that can be performed on the boat is in there, except walking on the 40-year-old bilge water. Ok, maybe even that is in this 4th revision of the book. If you don't believe me, you can check it yourself by clicking on this link. Amen!

2. Marine Diesel Engines (3rd edition) by Nigel Calder, 320 pages
   
   

Breviary

This is just a little extension of the book in the previous paragraph. It is like a small book full of “prayers”, in addition to the “Bible”. You may ask - why do you need that? Well… If you buy some banged-up fixer-upper older than 10 years, you will definitely spend lots of time kneeling in the praying pose, in front of your engine department, underneath stairs, asking “higher power” to answer all your prayers and fix your diesel engine problems. So, if this humble religious scene is looking familiar to you, and your knees hurt, you should definitely click this link and all your prayers will be answered. Nigel Calder was diesel engine mechanic for almost 30 years. So this fact only should be enough for you to consider having this book in your boat library. There is nothing else to add. Don't tell me later that you have water on your knees from too much “praying”. You’ve been warned!

3. Cruisers Handbook of Fishing (2nd edition) by Scott Bannerot and Wendy Bannerot, 432 pages
   
   

Survival

What can be better than fishing? - You ask. Bluewater fishing is your answer! Also known as Big-game fishing, offshore sport fishing, offshore game fishing, or blue-water fishing. Or, if you only want to survive somehow on a shoestring budget while circumnavigating the world like two of us, two lucky but always hungry weirdos in love. Fish hungry, I mean. If you think you know everything about fishing, and how to catch a fish when you really need one not to die of hunger somewhere in the middle of the ocean - you don't. You just don't. I can guarantee you that. This lovely couple Scott & Wendy and their book will save your life and the life of your loved ones. Trust me. This book is more survival book than fishing. To make things even better, they will also teach you how to prepare and cook fish which you just have caught. An essential must-have. See this link.

4. The Boat Cookbook: Real Food for Hungry Sailors by Fiona Sims, 160 pages
   
   

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach

When you catch enough fish, or if you got bored of constantly eating the fish only, you should check this book for further inspiration. This book is full of very simple recipes. And simple is the best. But not only that! It will teach you how to use all the food leftovers from yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week, or even two weeks ago… Yep, you just can't waste anything from that little amount of supplies you have in your really small galley and storage place. To use all the possible leftovers from previous meals, if you ask me, is one of the most important skills a sailor, or even any decent cook, can (and must) have. I think it's not only the skill, but I consider that as art. I personally had a piece of big luck when I've met the favorite person of my whole life. She is a real artist with leftovers and this book is just an extension to her creative brilliance, just a little bit of additional inspiration when her muse is on vacation. She has just successfully transferred her existing land kitchen skills into the boat galley. She is a genius, I must say. A genius of the simple cooking and recycling leftovers. That is just one of the extraordinary traits she has to offer to me and to the world. You should try her simple chicken recipe one day if you don't trust me. So, for all of you who are not as fortunate as I am in finding the love of your life, with this most important skill on the sailboat as a bonus, you can check this book to help you deal with a headache caused by food leftovers and a grumpy empty stomach. Ok, maybe it will not teach you miracles like how to feed 5000 hungry people with just 7 loaves of bread and 2 mackerel, but it will definitely teach you how to fillet a mackerel and how to make perfect beach barbecue. Bon appétit!

5. The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat: The Definitive Guide for Liveaboards by Mark Nicholas, 284 pages

From daydreaming to reality check

If you are like us, daydreaming for your whole life about a liveaboard lifestyle and about cruising the world on a sailing boat, then you definitely need this book to help you get a clearer picture of what you are up for. It will help you to decide what boat is the best choice for you, it will help you choose the right marina or anchorage, and predict your boat costs. It will help you with your needs and wishes. It will prepare you for this beautiful lifestyle but also compromises you will need to take. It will help you to decide if you want to have children on the boat. Or pets. Or both. You can also find out how to outfit your boat based on your expectations and needs. It will show you what to expect in different climates, teach you about safety measures, and how to take care of sanitation and your health, and much much more. Check this link if you have decided to make your dreams become reality, but you only need just a little bit of help deciding! Good luck!


Like what you've read? Part 2 is coming soon, so stay tuned! If you have your own favorite sailing books, and you want to share them with us, please leave the comment down below. Thank you!

By Eglėpedia

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