Table of Contents

Author's Note on OriginsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Countdown to Offshore SailingChapter 1. A Safe DeckCrew SafetyJacklines and Cockpit Pad EyesSafety HarnessesKnivesCutting Lines Fouled UnderwaterSecuring the DeckKnotsLashing Gear on DeckCockpit Speakers and Other HolesEasy to FloodLeaking Deck Hatches and PortlightsToilet Bumpers on HatchesDuct Tape on Deck FillsClosure of Deck Blower VentsClosure of Chain Pipes Built into WindlassesBedding Deck HardwareAnchors on Bow RollersAll-Chain Anchor RodesCleat GuardsSupports for Cockpit StructuresYacht Defense StrategyClean Your Combination LockReplace Fasteners in Companionway StilesReplace Hatch Hinge PinsDinghy IDTest-Fire FlaresMiscellaneaChapter 2. Rig and SailsRunning RiggingBoom PreventerSpinnaker HalyardRight Side UpMasthead Sheave ArrangementMainsheet BlocksRoller FurlingRunning BackstaysSecuring a Halyard TailWhipping LinesReel Out SpoolsStanding RiggingMagnaflux Test KitBolt or Wire CuttersTurnbucklesTape on TurnbucklesCotter Pins in Clevis PinsSailsStorm Trysail and Storm JibStoring Spare SailsMarking SailsMeasuring SailsSail Repair MaterialsMainsail ReefingOther TricksMasthead BurgeeSpreader Flag HalyardsRigging a Radar Reflector Hoisted to a SpreaderDissimilar MetalsMiscellaneaChapter 3. Interior ModificationsSecuring the CabinHandholdsLocking the CompanionwayRemotely Activated LockDrawersBerth Top Access LidsCabin Sole FloorboardsHingesHolding Down BatteriesConstruct FiddlesPlace FiddlesAvoid the Toilet Seat TossSea BerthsRemovable Sea BerthRoot BerthLee ClothsBerth CushionsClimate ControlFansWashboard VentsCarbon Monoxide DetectorWhat's What and WhereLabelsYacht Inventory DatabaseChapter 4. Electronic and Electrical EquipmentElectronicsInterfacing ElectronicsElectronic and Other Devices That Belong on Every BoatEPIRBsHandheld VHF and Handheld GPSNavtexEmergency Radio AntennasIntelligible Boat NameEmergency Use of Ham Nets (Amateur Radio Networks)Other Useful Radio Services and FrequenciesElectronic Timer and ClockSerial NumbersUninterruptible Power SourceBatteriesTypesDeep-Cycle versus StartingBattery Bank ConfigurationsCharging ProfilesLightsFlashlightsSpotlightRunning LightsAnchor LightLaser PointerGhost in the Machine: Solving Weird Electrical ProblemsWatertight Junction BoxBattery ChargingShore Power ProblemsSpontaneous IgnitionEngine WiringPlaying It SafeMaking the ConnectionLightningMiscellaneaChapter 5. Engine, Mechanical, and Plumbing SystemsEngine and FuelEngine EducationMechanical Oil Pressure GaugeChanging Oil the Easy WayOil AnalysisEngine Water Flow AlarmRemovable StrainersAlarm AnnunciatorElectric Fuel PumpAdding Tees to TanksDiesel Engine SAD SyndromeV-BeltsEngine Space VentilationFuelingMiles per GallonCalibrating TachometersRunaway Diesel EngineFire ExtinguishersCharging RefrigerationEngine BedsProp and ShaftPropeller TypeStopping Shaft RotationCorrect PitchRemoving the Prop Shaft from the Engine CouplingPlumbingHoseCleaning HosesFouled Freshwater TanksBe Alert to Variations in Muriatic Acid ConcentrationSeacocksSoftwood PlugsBilge Pump StrainersAluminum Bilge PumpsEmergency Bilge PumpConserving FreshwaterInsecticide-Sprayer ShowerPipeCopper AlloysTools and MaintenanceLarge ToolsMaintenance LogMiscellaneaChapter 6. At SeaSafety FirstSafety VideoMaintaining Night VisionHeaving-ToDrogues and Sea AnchorsCenterboardsFreeing Lines Under LoadSpinnaker TakedownEvacuation by HelicopterDesign and Loading ConsiderationsSailing and Center of EffortFore-and-Aft Weight DistributionOverall Effect of Adding Weight to a VesselPersonal ComfortApparelSea Bag Checklist for Five-to Seven-Day PassageSea BagsSleepingFoul-Weather GearSeasicknessStanding Watch OrdersCrew OverboardFlooding Below DecksAbandoning ShipDeck Log EntriesNavigation and WeatherCompassesPolars on PassagesAltering CourseMaking Best Time on PassagesCosinesCommunication with Southbound II VAX 498, Herb HilgenbergRecording the BroadcastWeather on the WebChart CopiesLength of Degree of LongitudeChart Table CoverDatumsOn Closing with ShipsThermometerBinocularsGround TackleAnchorsAnchor ChainShackles for Anchors and ChainBow Rollers and ChocksChapter 7. Galley TipsThe Beginning of My Cooking CareerProvisioningPlanning and ChecklistsProvisioning QuantitiesFood StorageCardboard BoxesPlastic ContainersPreserving Fresh VegetablesCabbage and the CrunchOutfitting the GalleyBagging ItThe $8,179.95 Bread-Baking MachineCooking in Rough WeatherProtective ApparelOven Width and Height LimitsAbdicating the GalleyServing and CleanupPlates, Glasses, and Coffee MugsWashing DishesGarbageRecipesDessertsBreakfastsDinnersSalad DressingsAppendix 1. Boat SelectionDesignStability IssuesYou Can't Always Get What You WantThe Properly Built YachtFiberglass Hull and Deck ConstructionSteeringDeck Hardware and FittingsElectrical SystemsPlumbingInteriorRigAppendix 2. Cruising PaperworkEssential Papers and DocumentationProof of Yacht OwnershipProof of InsurancePassportsVisasCustoms ClearanceCrew ListYellow CardDriver's LicenseShip Radio Station License and Operator's LicensesLogbookEquipment ListPrescriptions for MedicationUpon ArrivalMoneyTelephonesDealing with Foreign OfficalsKwikpoint CardsMediterranean Market BasketFlags and Country IdentificationBoat CardsMailSecurityAdditional PrecautionsWaiver of LiabilityRelease of Claim Against VesselPhotographs of the BoatAppendix 3. Foreign AdaptationPower and AppliancesTelevision and VCRsCellular TelephonesWater and PlumbingPropanePaper GoodsNuts and BoltsMapsHealthDocking EquipmentAppendix 4. Generic Safety and Spare Parts InventoryMain Propulsion EngineRigging and Deck HardwareLubricantsBedding, Pipe Sealants, and AdhesivesTapePlumbingElectricalDinghy and Outboard MotorInterior HardwareIn Vessel's Canned Goods LockerSafety Gear ListAbandon-Ship BagYacht Outfitting Safety EquipmentAppendix 5. Layup Afloat and Commissioning ChecklistsLayupDeckInteriorMechanicalGeneralCommissioningDeckMechanical and PlumbingAutopilotWatermakerWasher-DryerElectricalElectronicsInteriorMiscellaneaAppendix 6. Maneuvering Under PowerGoing AheadMaking a Tight TurnBackingBacking StraightBacking to PortBacking to StarboardDocking from Start to FinishSpring LinesDockingDeparting a DockDeparting with Restricted Space Available ForwardDeparting a Dock by Backing OutAppendix 7. Contact Information for Suppliers and AssociationsAppendix 8. Radio and Communications TablesHam NetsBBC World NewsWLO Radio FrequenciesU.S. Coast Guard High Seas FrequenciesUSCG Coastal and High Seas ForecastsSSB FrequenciesSSB Frequency PropagationVoice of America, CaribbeanAppendix 9. Metric EquivalentsIndex

About the Author

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Dan Spurr was for 12 years the editor of Practical Sailor newsletter, the Consumer Reports of sailing and one of the most respected boating publications, noted among other things for its new and used boat reviews, which have been published in book form as Practical Boat Buying. He is a former senior editor of Cruising World magazine and author of two highly regarded IM boating books as well as two critically acclaimed books of narrative nonfiction. He bought and refurbished his first fiberglass sailboat (a Pearson Vanguard) in the 1960s, and has since renovated three other boats including his current C & C 41. He is now the editor of Professional Boatbuilder magazine. AUTHOR HOMETOWN: Bozeman, Montana