Books+Media

Light Amusement

by Sail Staff, Posted October 10, 2006

Part of the fun of sailing at night is learning about the light combinations displayed by other vessels. “Two whites one above the other, plus a green and a red, that means—aaarggh!” The novice crew aboard will probably feel much more relaxed with a LIGHTrule in the cockpit. This $24.99 quick-reference tool shows 60 different light configurations as you’ll see them from the cockpit and includes a

An Accidental Sailor

by Lisa Gabrielson, Posted November 28, 2012

Witty, charming and downright funny, author Kathryn Lasky Knight writes about what happens when you marry into sailing in Atlantic Circle, taking readers through her first Atlantic crossing and the extensive European cruise that followed in the process.

Sea Change

by Sail Staff, Posted February 20, 2008

When Mary South quit her job, sold her house, and floated her life’s savings on a 40-foot steel-hulled trawler, she abandoned her landlocked reality in search of adventure, purpose, and peace at sea.The Cure for Anything Is Salt Water is South’s account of her transformation from successful publishing executive to eager seamanship student to beaming skipper aboard her newly

Distant Shores: Cruising the Middle East

by Sail Staff, Posted November 23, 2008

Distant Shores: Cruising the Middle East, a sailing documentary produced by Paul and Sheryl Shard, allows you to enjoy the discovery of new places and cultures from the comfort of your own couch. This three-disk DVD set includes thirteen 30-minute episodes of their sailing-adventure TV series and contains some excellent sailing footage; the focus is on exotic destinations rather than

Review: The Great Book of Anchorages

by Wally Moran, Posted March 21, 2013

Cruisers heading down the ICW have a new navigational tool: The Great Book of Anchorages, from Beach House Publications. Authors Chuck Beier and Susan Landry describe more than 530 anchorages between Norfolk, VA, and the Florida Keys.

Review Special: DVDs

by Rebecca Waters, Posted November 20, 2008

Sail Vicarious

by Sail Staff, Posted November 23, 2008

An amateur film by amateur sailors, Sail Vicarious is a how-to for would-be cruisers. Learn with them as they research, buy, and refit their new boat in this first of a DVD series that will follow Spencer and Kathleen’s circumnavigation. Though fairly basic, Sail Vicarious is thorough and straightforward—a good resource for beginners. Boat walk-throughs help present boating

Knot Tying: Reeds Knot Handbook

by Meredith Laitos, Posted March 29, 2013

If you’re looking for a quick and easy-to-use reference for knot-tying, Reeds Knot Handbook is your ideal companion.

Small Boat Seamanship Manual

by Sail Staff, Posted March 5, 2003

Small Boat Seamanship Manual Edited by Richard N. Aarons $29.95. 2002 International Marine, Camden, Maine Richard Aarons and International Marine have taken the U.S. Coast Guard Boatcrew Seamanship Manual and made it available to recreational sailors. Aarons made only small changes in style and organization, so the Small Boat Seamanship

Gourmet Your Galley

by Rebecca Waters, Posted December 19, 2008

The Yachting GourmetThis book, geared toward the casual cruiser, breaks down every recipe into two parts: home preparation and galley preparation. If you’re new to galley cooking, this could be a good primer. Perfect for a weekend or weeklong cruise.The Yachting GourmetBy Mary Maskal283 pages, $32.95MEM Plublications, 2007