Books for a trawlers library

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No Mast

No Mast

Guru
Joined
Dec 12, 2014
Messages
816
Location
US
Vessel Name
Moana Huaka'i
Vessel Make
Selene 53
I was thumbing thru an older PassageMaker (Nov/Dec 2013) and they had an article about books for a Trawler's library. Here's their list of books to include in a well stocked library:

- Crossing an Ocean Under Power (10th Aniv Edition) by Ken Williams
- The American Practical Navigator: Bowditch by Uncle Sam
- Radar for Mariners by David Burch
- A Storm Too Soon by Mike Tougias
- Longitude: The True story of a lone genius.... by Dava Sobel
- Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual by Nigel Calder
- The Complete Book of Anchoring and Mooring by Earl R. Hinz
- Advanced First Aid Afloat by Peter F. Eastman, M.D.
- Galley Guru: Effortless Gourmet Cooking Afloat by Lisa Hayden
- The Morrow Guide to Knots for Sailing, Fishing, Camping and Climbing by Bigon & Regazzoni
- Grab Bag: Your Ultimate Guide to Liferaft Survival by Frances and Michael Holzworth
- Margarita Cat: Sketches of the Cruising Life by Bruce Van Sant
- The Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing by Scott and Wendy Bannerot

While I can't claim to have read all of the above, I would include:
- Marine Diesel Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repairs by Calder

How would you revise their list?
 
I like/have aboard:

Tricks of the Trades by Bruce van Sant
The Intricate Art of Living Afloat (Clare Alcard)
Why Didn't I think of That? (1,198 Tips)
Navigation Rules (required if you're 40' plus)

and from Golden Guides:
Birds of North America
Seashells of North America (there is one of the World too)
Seashore Life
Fishes

I've heard my Birds of North America is okay but the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Birds of North America is better. For reference, my Birds and Seashell books are the most referenced "life out here" books I've aboard. I consult one or more of the Golden Guides almost every week.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy is a wonderful reference aka concise one volume encyclopedia -- I've written a review for it on Amazon.

Also, I'd suggest the oldest recipe book you can find. Mine's from the Grange in Maine, circa 1943. The ingredients are common and directions more simple than some of the complicated ones found now. I'm not a fancy chef though, leaning more towards utilitarian cooking versus the more sophisticated presentations many enjoy.
 
I know you want a new answer to your quesiton, but if you do an archives search this subject has come up many, many times over the years. There are probably hundreds of suggestions of good books, non-fiction, fiction, and reference, that have been listed in tons of posts. Do a search using terms like "books," "good books," "boating books," "essential books" and so on, and you'll find a gold mine of information.
 
You guys gotta read this: SEIZED by Max Hardberger

Seized: A Sea Captain's Adventures Battling Scoundrels and Pirates While Recovering Stolen Ships in the World's Most Troubled Waters: Max Hardberger: Amazon.com: Books

My Kids bought it for me, sat in the drawer for a year, then when I eventually got around to picking it up, I could not put it down until I finished it. It's one of those,,,"clear your calendar for 3 days" books, cause nothing else is going to get done until you finish the book. :thumb:
 
No Mast said:
I was thumbing thru an older PassageMaker (Nov/Dec 2013) and they had an article about books for a Trawler's library. Here's their list of books to include in a well stocked library:

- Crossing an Ocean Under Power (10th Aniv Edition) by Ken Williams
- The American Practical Navigator: Bowditch by Uncle Sam
- Radar for Mariners by David Burch
- A Storm Too Soon by Mike Tougias
- Longitude: The True story of a lone genius.... by Dava Sobel
- Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual by Nigel Calder
- The Complete Book of Anchoring and Mooring by Earl R. Hinz
- Advanced First Aid Afloat by Peter F. Eastman, M.D.
- Galley Guru: Effortless Gourmet Cooking Afloat by Lisa Hayden
- The Morrow Guide to Knots for Sailing, Fishing, Camping and Climbing by Bigon & Regazzoni
- Grab Bag: Your Ultimate Guide to Liferaft Survival by Frances and Michael Holzworth
- Margarita Cat: Sketches of the Cruising Life by Bruce Van Sant
- The Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing by Scott and Wendy Bannerot

While I can't claim to have read all of the above, I would include:
- Marine Diesel Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repairs by Calder

How would you revise their list?
Click to expand...

Thanks No Mast, great list indeed.
 
Ship Captans Medical Guide used edition is fine.
 
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