Books for a ground floor novice

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JZil

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Hey all, my wife and I are just retired and we are wanting to acquire (we think) a trawler style vessel to cruise the areas from Seattle up to Alaska. We know next to nothing about vessels of any sort and are figuring out the essential first steps to educate ourselves. Any advice is welcome, but I’m looking for book suggestions to begin researching this world. Buying a vessel, understanding the mechanical systems of a vessel, repair skills necessary, navigation training recommendations, etc. etc.

Thanks for any help!
 
When I posted this question the forum popped up previous threads on book suggestions and I’ve now been introduced to the world of Nigel Calder.
 
Good, you have the right material for the boat hardware. You can get your boater card online. You can join your local Power Squadron for safety inspections and on the water training

Welcome aboard and have fun!
 
The definitive practical instruction manual on how to drive a boat:

Boat Handling Under Power: A Motorboat and Yacht Owners' Guide
https://a.co/d/eB7ImMX
 
Welcome aboard TF.
I agree w comments so far... Calder is a well known resource.
USPS aka America's Boating Club has a wide range of courses that are well done. The benefit in joining is you will establish a network of knowledgeable/ experienced resources.
 
Welcome aboard. First take all the classes you can find. In order fot you to get insurance you will likely need to have some training with a captain that the insurance company approves. Good luck.
 
All the above are good ideas, I am sure there will be many more.
So..........How about this one to keep the dream alive while you learn

Alaska Blues by Joe Upton

Ted
 
Hard for me to recommend books now with the internet as a resource.

Any source that gives a broad outline of topics that needs to be learned is valuable...I recommend you take that outline and scour the net for reputable sources of info on the subject.

With a book...you spend a lot of time reading one person's opinion of what the right or several possible paths are the best solutions or choices or whatever the question pertains to. With the net you can cover a lot of territory quickly and not only focus on what the general topics in that area cover...but you can review ongoing questions of boaters pertaining to that specific topic and review a bunch of opinions that with a bit of evaluation can send you off in directions to further the answer to that question. Forums like this are good for that. Lets say a controversial topic like anchoring or how many engines. I don't think I ever read a single book that adequately covered those topics. Because in order to do that, they had to cover all boats, all styles of cruising in all areas of cruising.... the new you can ask a question in a forum and in a day or two have a bunch of opinions that may be much closer to your probable boat, your probable cruising area and style...etc..etc. You can arrow your search of detailed info that will be way more valuable than from some broad stroke book.

Some exceptions are tech books on such topics as electrical, engines & fuel systems, somewhat plumbing.... probably more books/topics but in reality I feel the net will still be a much quicker and better review of nearly any subject. Each new search will lead to new categories you need to ad to that outline of topics you need to know before serious, distance cruising. Buying a boat, daytripping around the harbors or a few mile cruise here and there doesn't need much more than a good dockmate to point you in the right direction. Loops, Bahamas, offshore stuff and beyond is a different story. Those need a bunch of building blocks of study and hands on practice.

One thing that is absolute... rarely believe almost any post or poster without a lot of research into what they offer in a couple paragraph post. No matter their experience, reputation, reported experience an on and on.... there is always more to the story. Embrace that as that is where you will see dated info, personal opinion vs facts, info that doesn't apply to you..... I am sure you get my drift.
 
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A couple books come to mind.

Voyaging Under Power, by Beebe and Leischman (Nordhavn yachts). The book talks about long-range cruising, non-sailing.

Chapman's is an all-encompassing book on safety, seamanship, springlines, knots, and other topics.
 
Ken E. said:
Chapman's is an all-encompassing book on safety, seamanship, springlines, knots, and other topics.
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That is the book to start with. Get a used copy cheap online from some place like Thriftbooks. They sell cheap because they are common as dirt and some consider older copies "out of date". Truth is, Chapman's covers the timeless aspects of boating and was never up to date on the latest whizbang gadgets. Save that for later.
 
JZil said:
Hey all, my wife and I are just retired and we are wanting to acquire (we think) a trawler style vessel to cruise the areas from Seattle up to Alaska. We know next to nothing about vessels of any sort and are figuring out the essential first steps to educate ourselves. Any advice is welcome, but I’m looking for book suggestions to begin researching this world. Buying a vessel, understanding the mechanical systems of a vessel, repair skills necessary, navigation training recommendations, etc. etc.

Thanks for any help!
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Chapman's book on piloting. The Annapolis book of seamanship. Nigel Calder's book on boat maintenance
 
I agree with everyone about trying to learn as much as possible on line, and with books, but in your place I would try and get out on as many boats as possible. If you have friends with boats, ask to go along with them, but you can also look into chartering a boat with a captain - not cheap, but cheaper than buying a boat too quickly - so you can see what you like, and don't like. There are a lot of previous threads right here on TF with links to helpful contacts.
Boat shows, like TrawlerFest, are a good way to see a lot of different boats at one time, and there are often exhibitors who offer charters, or can help find someone who does.
Mostly, though, if you haven't done much boating, you need to make sure you actually like being out on a boat, and on what kind of boat, for a day, and for days at a time.
For me, there is no better way to spend a day than out on the water, but not everyone feels that way. Better to find out before as soon as you can.
You live in a part of the world with some of the most beautiful cruising grounds anywhere, so go out and enjoy it!
 
We were in your shoes 3 years ago - there is a lot to learn - about boats to select the 'best' one as well as seamanship - which will be ongoing.

In addition to above:
- go to boat shows - Seattle's is in early Feb - not a lot of in-water boats - but still worth walking around. They have many free seminars as well
- Trawlerfest in Anacortes (May I believe)
- We went on a NW Explorations course - 5 of us on a 47ft GB - this was invaluable in understanding layout, basic operation and of course actually piloting a vessel of that size.
- Physically get on boats - not necessarily that easy - but boat owners usually love talking about their boat - while most marinas are gated - you can always go down to the public dock at Shilshole for example - maybe you'll see someone and strike up a conversation... next thing you know they'll be inviting you aboard.
- It's not just about power and electronics - space layout - how you as a couple work is important - queen walkaround a must? or twins ok.. galley down a non-starter? Flybridge? How easy it is to get around on the boat - many are 'climb' aboard and only on one side... or complete walk around.. can you both easily get on and off to manage the lines while docking...

The following year - while looking for 'our' boat - we chartered a trawler and hired a captain for the first 3 days - worth every penny - and as others have mentioned - it was important for getting insurance.

Have fun!
 
jwag956 said:
We were in your shoes 3 years ago - there is a lot to learn - about boats to select the 'best' one as well as seamanship - which will be ongoing.

In addition to above:
- go to boat shows - Seattle's is in early Feb - not a lot of in-water boats - but still worth walking around. They have many free seminars as well
- Trawlerfest in Anacortes (May I believe)
- We went on a NW Explorations course - 5 of us on a 47ft GB - this was invaluable in understanding layout, basic operation and of course actually piloting a vessel of that size.
- Physically get on boats - not necessarily that easy - but boat owners usually love talking about their boat - while most marinas are gated - you can always go down to the public dock at Shilshole for example - maybe you'll see someone and strike up a conversation... next thing you know they'll be inviting you aboard.
- It's not just about power and electronics - space layout - how you as a couple work is important - queen walkaround a must? or twins ok.. galley down a non-starter? Flybridge? How easy it is to get around on the boat - many are 'climb' aboard and only on one side... or complete walk around.. can you both easily get on and off to manage the lines while docking...

The following year - while looking for 'our' boat - we chartered a trawler and hired a captain for the first 3 days - worth every penny - and as others have mentioned - it was important for getting insurance.

Have fun!
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Boats Afloat in April and September are by far the better boat shows in Seattle for aspiring trawler owners. The Seattle Boat Show in February is mostly smaller fishing and ski boats.
 
Welcome aboard.

Contact me next June/July. My wife and I cruise from June through October and would be happy to meet you, show you how we cruise on a thriftier budget than most we run across. We haven't made it to Alaska yet but get closer each season.

Best wishes

DJ & Cheri
20240809_084432.jpg
 
JZil said:
Any advice is welcome, but I’m looking for book suggestions to begin researching this world. Buying a vessel, understanding the mechanical systems of a vessel, repair skills necessary, navigation training recommendations, etc. etc.
Click to expand...

Not books, but...

Daily reading here and on cruisersforum.com (sister site) can go a long way toward educating you on various topics. Pick a subject, do a search, read the threads on that... and you get both a mixture of technical input along with sometimes useful opinion (both pros and cons) on the topic...

Along with pointers to other related topics, ad infinitum.

And then, when you're homing in on or have purchased a specific boat, an owners forum -- if one exists -- can get you into the nuts and bolts behind all the systems on the boat, how to access, how to maintain, repair, or replace...

When we began to introduce wifey to water and boats, we (both) took the USCG Aux "Basic Navigation and Boating Skills" (something like that) course. Approx 8 weeks, 1 or 2 nights/ week (can't quite remember), with instructors, etc. Good intro for her, and it was useful to sit in with her so I could also enhance some of those topics for her afterwards.

-Chris
 
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JZil said:
Hey all, my wife and I are just retired and we are wanting to acquire (we think) a trawler style vessel to cruise the areas from Seattle up to Alaska. We know next to nothing about vessels of any sort and are figuring out the essential first steps to educate ourselves. Any advice is welcome, but I’m looking for book suggestions to begin researching this world. Buying a vessel, understanding the mechanical systems of a vessel, repair skills necessary, navigation training recommendations, etc. etc.

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Along with the others - Chapmans, Nigel Calder are great. Take a very basic navigation course so you can get out of trouble by using paper charts when the world around you collapses. Buy a very well equipped boat - good GPS, VHF, radar, and autohelm. Then learn absolutely everything you can about all the stuff in the engine room -where pipes go, basic wiring layout, how to change filters, what all the through hulls service. Where you are planning to go is something like outer space - nobody can hear you scream. I explored that coast in a NorSea 27 sailboat. You can do it.
 
Read Trawler Forum every night, Online use books as someone mention, Try an old book" Living on 12 Volts, Has a Rainbow on cover.
 
Agree with above and would strongly consider hands on, on board training with a “trawler school”…perhaps a winter trip to sunny Fla, or look into a week of instructional charter in your area. You’ll know better after a week on a boat if this is something you wish to pursue further.
 
I picked up Voyaging Under Power by Robert Beebe and Denis Umstot recently. I'd recommend it.
 
Bonedoc said:
Agree with above and would strongly consider hands on, on board training with a “trawler school”…perhaps a winter trip to sunny Fla, or look into a week of instructional charter in your area. You’ll know better after a week on a boat if this is something you wish to pursue further.
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Can you direct me to this trawler school in Fla.
 
It is admirable that you are wishing to learn as much as you can about piloting a trawler. However, I would say don't forget WHY you wish to explore the cruising grounds from Seattle to Alaska. Because it's AWESOME! And so much FUN! There are so many places to go, you will never see them all.

So I highly recommend getting a copy of the latest Waggoner Cruising Guide, commonly referred to as the NW Cruising Bible. It's a great book to read during the dark months, getting you dreaming of all the places you'll go when you get that new trawler.

Enjoy your research!
 
Trawler School Dania Beach Fla is one.
 
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