Book Reviews
Pass Your Yachtmaster - 5th Edition
CA Library Reference:
Author:
Item Type:
ISBN:
Publisher:
Publication Date:
No of Pages:
Edition:
Classification:
Status:
Author:
Item Type:
ISBN:
Publisher:
Publication Date:
No of Pages:
Edition:
Classification:
Status:
17553
Fairhall, David & Peyton, Mike
Paperback
978-1-4081-5284-3
Adlard Coles Nautical
2012
106
5
D11
In Stock
Fairhall, David & Peyton, Mike
Paperback
978-1-4081-5284-3
Adlard Coles Nautical
2012
106
5
D11
In Stock
Review Date:
10/05/2012
Although claimed to be bang up to date in this its fifth edition, this slim volume (104 pages), first published in 1982, is showing its age. There can't be many yachts nowadays using grid compasses and I don't suppose you've doubled the angle on the bow or constructed a running fix lately. You certainly won't find yourself doing so in any current RYA exam (except perhaps YM Ocean), but you will find them here. Also the style, heavy on text and with somewhat basic illustrations, is looking a bit tired in these days of books abounding in multi-coloured, often three dimensional, visuals such as those published by the RYA itself.
Still, a book that has been in print for thirty years must have something going for it and the idea of providing a crammer for those taking the exam (rather like the one you had all those years ago when you did A level physics) is not a bad one.
Cartoons from Mike Peyton lighten the tone and provide a chuckle as you plough through, though I'm not sure they'll help you pass the exam. On the whole my verdict has to be that you will do better with the course notes booklet published by the RYA and obtainable for about the same money. Indeed it may already be in your possession if you are doing the course.
Mike Ferro
08/05/2012
»
Kealoha 8 (A Seafaring Adventure)
CA Library Reference:
Author:
Item Type:
ISBN:
Publisher:
Publication Date:
No of Pages:
Edition:
Classification:
Status:
Author:
Item Type:
ISBN:
Publisher:
Publication Date:
No of Pages:
Edition:
Classification:
Status:
17555
Holliday, David
Book
978-1-84549-463-6
Arima Publishing
2010
346
1
J2
In Stock
Holliday, David
Book
978-1-84549-463-6
Arima Publishing
2010
346
1
J2
In Stock
Review Date:
01/04/2012 
In 2010, the author entered his Oyster 72 in the World
Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. Some of these legs were deemed racing, and the
author, who admits to being competitive, wanted to win them and did so, coming
first overall. The circumnavigation via the Panama and the Cape of Good Hope took
430 days. Many places were visited for a few days and there are many interesting
and colourful photographs of their main features. They
are usually welcomed by the natives, whose interest was rewarded by Kealoha
8 caps and t-shirts. Unfortunately, some of these stops were so remote that
they do not have supermarkets or diesel therefore careful planning was needed.
There are many interesting appendixes covering various aspects of the trip from
charts used, distance tables, spares carried, maintenance jobs, etc. However,
the reader who wants a pilot type book should use the Jimmy Cornell
publications. The boat is now available for charter see ‘keahola8.com .
Mike Bender
Price: £24.95
»
Firth of Clyde
CA Library Reference:
Author:
Item Type:
ISBN:
Publisher:
Publication Date:
No of Pages:
Edition:
Classification:
Status:
Author:
Item Type:
ISBN:
Publisher:
Publication Date:
No of Pages:
Edition:
Classification:
Status:
17532
Mason, Edward
Paperback
978-184623-368-5
Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson Ltd.
2011
144
1
Q GBS
Reference
Mason, Edward
Paperback
978-184623-368-5
Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson Ltd.
2011
144
1
Q GBS
Reference
Review Date:
01/04/2012 
The Clyde Cruising Club has taken a major step by
merging its well known Sailing Directions with the Yachtsmans Pilots and gone
into partnership with the publishers Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson Ltd. This
is their first offering and in my opinion is near perfect because you get the
best of both. The Pilots were compiled by Martin Lawrence and this new venture
uses text, plans and photos from both publications and many of the photos are
attributed to Martin Lawrence.
It is spiral-bound, so lays flat, in full colour and appears waterproof. There are excellent clear plans with traditional symbols and coloured light sectors and importantly many aerial views which together are a great help to a stranger. My only niggle is that the print for all the light details is rather small and wonder if they could be easily read with a dimmed chart light.
The area covered is the whole of the Firth of Clyde together with both sides of the North Channel and the Solway Firth as far south as Whitehaven. Particularly useful are the details for traversing the Crinan Canal and much sound advice for rounding the Mulls of Kintyre and Galloway also crossing the North Channel. There is an appendix of gaelic for yachtsmen and also extracts from the Clydeport Leisure Navigation Guide which is essential for the Upper Firth. Updates and corrections will be available on the internet.
The introduction is comprehensive, with advice about charts, weather, tides,
anchoring, etc. Each anchorage/marina has detailed entry directions including information regarding tides, lights, berthing, communications, supplies and services. Wisely no particular establishment is mentioned as these so often change hands or quality. Near each major harbour there are listed many occasional anchorages, with full directions for each.
The Clyde Cruising Club and Imray are to be congratulated on a brilliant formula which I hope will be repeated for the other sailing areas of Scotland.
Norman Tricks
Price: £27.95
»
