Books and DVDs

Often, buying a cruising boat is the realization of a lifelong dream. But with that dream comes financial, logistical and, yes, personal obligations. While all of them can be managed, it’s a lot easier when you understand the realities that go with boat ownership. Doane has owned many boats over the years—his latest is affectionately named Lunacy—and uses his acquired wisdom in an entertaining

So you want to plot a course while watching Google Earth, monitoring fuel efficiency, geo-referencing digital photos, checking the weather, tracking the tide and reading a cruiser’s forum to find a good dinner spot? There’s an app for that. In fact, there are hundreds of apps for all of that.Where once you had to combine information from cruising guides, almanacs, weather stations and

I want you to read this book. Even if you already know about Garry Hoyt’s schemes for simplifying sailing, even if you have your own perspective on a timeline for solar-electric conversion, there’s perspective here you need to consider.Hoyt’s overview of the development of sailing, from a critical national technology to “the backwaters and eddies of a rich man’s sport,” sets up a vision of

This is not your average how-to-sail manual. In The Blue Book of Sailing, Adam Cort (SAIL’s Senior Editor) divides sailing into “The 22 keys to sailing mastery.” The topics are basic but presented an in-depth manner that will provide even lifetime sailors with a deeper understanding. For instance, rather than simply describing the process of a tack, Cort delves into the evolution of tacking

This time of year, with the boats packed up and the waters iced over, we often become armchair sailors by default. There’s no better time to delve into that list of sailing books you’ve been dying to read. Start with these suggestions from SAIL editors and readers, and send us a few of your own. Get cozy – reading season has only just begun.Dallas

“Going places in your own sailboat is one of the greatest travel experiences you can have. And you don’t need to go all the way to French Polynesia to experience the thrill of discovery that sailing offers. Simply exploring secluded coves in an inland lake can be an adventure that you and your family will never forget,” writes Brian Gilbert in his new book The Complete Trailer

When the mailman delivers the latest edition of these cruising guiddes, it’s like getting one of those fruit or candy boxes Aunt Sarah and Uncle George send to celebrate a special occasion: the contents look beautiful, but they taste even better.Both of these guides have been around for more than a quarter century, and each new edition is carefully updated to invlude all the changes and

Cast Off for MexicoIn their second video cruising guide (Cast Off for Catalina was released in 2005) Mark Ritts and Ted Field explain the ins and outs of cruising to Mexico, including what to bring, how to clear customs, and navigational tips. Though thy complete the trip on a powerboat, the video includes some excellent sailboat footage and would be a useful resource for

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

Billed as a “why-to” rather than a “how-to,” Dancing with the Wind immerses you in the beauty and passion of sailing. With an original score, composed and played by the captain himself, and without a single spoken word, this DVD tells the story of an exciting weekend cruise aboard Ed Verner’s Wind Ketcher. From a soothing twilight anchorage to an invigorating sandwich-overboard