How to Cope with Storms

Publisher: Sheridan House, $19.95

Publication Date: 1997

CA Library Reference:

Sooner or later all sailors find themselves asking “What on earth am I doing out here?”. There is no doubt at all that confidence in one’s own ability, in that of one’s crew and that of one’s yacht, help enormously to enable us to cope with a storm. This confidence comes from knowledge. This book by von Haeften is a serious study of the knowledge that will help us. A very great deal of thought has gone into it. There are just a few reasonable black and white photographs but the book is full of very clear sketches and tables on every subject.

Starting with the birth of storms in the atmosphere, measuring the strength of winds from the isobars, (which must assume the availability of a suitable weather map), and the effects of nearby land, there follows the study of waves, their formation and their effect on the yacht itself. Running for shelter, being caught in harbour and maneuvering there. It is full of the knowledge you need to know. It is not a light hearted book but then neither is its subject.

It is an amazingly successful attempt at putting a vast subject into a small readable book. It is very comprehensive indeed and I thoroughly recommend it. - RPY.