Voyager’s Handbook, Essential Guide to Bluewater Cruising

Publisher: Adlard Coles Nautical, 2nd Edition, £30
Publication Date: 2007

To the author’s self-confessed surprise, it took two and a half years to revise the first, 1998, edition of this book and that reveals the main weakness of the encyclopedic approach to such a many faceted and fast moving subject. Costs, and there are numerous tables, in US dollars, vary on a daily basis and the sections on communications and navigation equipment are already behind the game. With 570 pages and measuring 11 by 9ins (28 by 23 cms) the book is too big, too heavy and too uncomfortable to use, to justify a place on board. An intending voyager will undoubtedly find some nuggets of information but the largely on board snapshot type black and white, or rather dark and light grey, poorly reproduced photos and the quirky typography do not encourage lengthy browsing of this American tome. The numerous text boxes are in a heavy tint of grey which again make for difficult reading. The few line sketches are of varied styles and quality. Not an “enjoyable” book. The yachting press and books specialising on the various aspects of bluewater voyaging could be considered as a preferable alternative. - RHR