Tom Cunliffe

This book is one that came up in my recommendations on Scribd - it turns out to be a selection of Cunliffe's advice articles written for Yachting Monthly, giving his views on a variety of practical questions, some of which you might never have dared to ask - how to sail as a couple without putting your relationship in danger; some of which you might hope never to need to ask - what to do in case a casualty has to be airlifted off your boat; and most of which you have certainly faced many times and got as many different answers to - how to get that extra quarter-knot of speed out of your sails, how best to manage mooring lines, how to avoid looking like an idiot in a lock...

The advice, as you might expect, is bluff and straightforward, and as far as I could judge it all looks sensible and practical. The writing is a bit less attractive than the content - there's a bit too much old-fashioned journalistic quaintness ("it behoves...", "what betides", etc.) and a lot too much tedious hearty male yacht-clubbishness and old-sea-doggery (stopping the crew's rum rations, going off to the pub for a few pints, etc. ). But that's forgivable - I've yet to encounter anyone who has worked for any length of time as a trainer who doesn't have a supply of tedious stock witticisms, myself included.

Probably a bit too miscellaneous to be a really useful reference book, but I should think it's a book most sailors will learn at least one or two useful things from.… (meer)

This revised 5th edition includes many colour pictures, charts and tidal streams graphs. The author, known for his RYA training manuals, steers clear of a so-called “user friendly” presentation of the data, in favour of an old fashioned presentation. I, for one, am grateful for this avoidance of bold, italics and other fancy presentation tricks, as I find that reading a general supply of information is part of the fun of sailing into unknown waters.
The pilotage information is imparted in a very clear and precise way, often with photographs providing a general view and Cunliffe makes sure he also provides the reader with the details that will make the stopover easier: shower & toilet facilities, as well as laundrettes, supermarkets and other details important to the weary sailor.
A.B.… (meer)