A REVIEW OF SOME NAUTICAL BOOKS FOR WINTER READING

Heavy Weather Powerboating:
Hugo Montgomery-Swan
ISBN: 978-0-7136-8871-9

Adlard & Coles, the renown publisher of nautical books, has once again succeeded in bringing to the forefront an area of seamanship which, until now, has been sadly missing. To complement its authoritative offshore sailors bible of Heavy Weather Sailing this latest book brings together Heavy Weather Powerboating experiences, considerations and techniques.

This first edition contains seven sections and eighteen chapters written by some fourteen leading–light authors, brought together and edited by Hugo Montgomery-Swan. It shares knowledge learned by skippers of powered boats from coxswains of the RNLI, professional skippers from a varied set of disciplines through to committed power boat enthusiasts. All in all a remarkable publication which is destined to become a best seller alongside the classic heavy weather sailing books focused mainly towards sail boat skippers.

This is an exceptional book written by exceptional people. It is one ‘bible’ which should be read by any self-respecting power boater, then berthed on the bookshelf for sober regular reference.

Price: £25.00
Offer Price: £18.75 - Buy Now

The RIB
David Sutcliffe
ISBN: 978-1-85757-103-5

In 1962 an International Sixth Form College was opened in St Donat's Castle in South Wales. It was named the Atlantic College and was the birthplace of the rigid inflatable boat.

The College was situated on the edge of the Bristol Channel. Sailing in this area was considered to be extremely dangerous so an indestructible and unsinkable rescue boat was essential. The Founder Headmaster, Desmond Hoare, plus the original 50 or so students at the college set to work and the B-Class Atlantic Inshore Lifeboat was born. It was sold to the RNLI for the princely sum of £1. The Atlantic 21 was introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1972 and became the prototype for a new range of high speed boats to be used in both leisure and industry all over the world.

The RIB is a book covering the historical background and early years of the college, the opening of the RNLI station and some of its early rescues, training and developments, and a final chapter on the rigid inflatable boat today. It is illustrated with some photographs from the early days to the present.

Price: £tba

Doctor on Board
Dr J Hauert
ISBN: 978-1-4081-1272-4

This is a soft back, A5 size book, ideal for keeping on board for quick reference if an unforseen medical situation arises. The book is described in its opening pages as being a 'practical guide to medical emergencies at sea' and aims to go beyond simple first aid. It covers a wide variety of situations, from the serious and potentially life threatening eg heart attack, poisoning and near drowning, to dealing with more common complaints like headache and sore throat.

Coping with an emergency successfully will usually rely on having access to a properly stocked first aid kit and advice is given about what should be included. In addition there is a useful list of medication which includes generic name, example brand name, uses and warnings.

This is a useful little reference book which should help to identify symptoms swiftly so that treatment can be administered quickly and effectively. Because prevention is always better than cure there are sections on general wellbeing aboard, immunisation and preventative healthcare. A copy of Doctor on Board deserves a place on all small craft trips.

Price: £12.99
Offer Price: £9.74 - Buy Now

Reeds Small Craft Almanac 2011
Practical Boat Owner
ISBN: 978-1-4081-3015-5

In a practical, handy format the Reeds PBO Small Craft Almanac contains many unique features for small craft sailors and represents excellent value for money. Its compact size makes it especially suitable for keeping on board a RIB.

Meticulously researched, this popular almanac contains a wealth of information presented in an easy to find, quick reference manner for practical on board use. The Reeds PBO Small Craft Almanac covers the whole of the UK and Ireland and the west coast of Europe from Denmark all the way to Gibraltar.

Information covered includes secondary port differences, tide tables, tidal streams and tidal gates, radio data, weather information and IALA buoyage.

Price: £15.99
Offer Price: £14.39 - Buy Now

The Atlantic Crossing Guide
RCC Pilotage Foundation
ISBN: 978-1-4081-1380-6

The Atlantic Crossing Guide has been an established reference for over twenty five years for the sailing fraternity. Now in its 6th edition the book is packed with information. This is a book for the serious offshore ribster...!

This new edition has a much wider geographical scope and has been refined and developed. It is divided into two sections, a Preparations section which covers boats and equipment, electronic navigation, paperwork, provisioning, watchkeeping and safety, and a Passages and Landfalls section which gives useful information on wind and weather, currents and tides, and the selection of ports for destinations on both sides of the Atlantic.

The book is well illustrated with colour photographs and plans. There is also a useful set of appendices which includes information on charts, meteorological terms, weather forecast areas and weights, measures and conversions.

This is quite a large book, and in hard back form, but it would be very useful reading and a good reference for planning and during any transatlantic trip.

Price: £50.00
Offer Price: £37.50 - Buy Now

Dec 2010