The Cruising Life

by Trefethen, Jim

• ISBN13: 9780070653603
• ISBN10: 0070653607
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-12-31
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press

Summary

The Cruising Life: A Commonsense Guide for the Would-Be Voyager, Jim Trefethen. The funniest, drollest, wisest book on the shelf for the would-be cruiser. Trefethen pulls no punchesNtilde;he tells you just what will be involved if you and your family decide to "let slip the surly bonds of earth" and set sail. How to get ready, how to finance the voyage, how to live on your boat with maximum peace of mind and minimum hassle, and what equipment you do and don't need. (What you don't need may surprise you.)

Author Biography

Jim Trefethen is the author of Wooden Boat Renovation (International Marine, 1992) and Inflatable Boats (International Marine, 1996). In 1993 he, his wife Susan, and their two children cut the cord and went cruising. Currently they are in New Zealand.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1: So You Want to Go Cruising

Fantasy versus Reality

Eschew Delusion through Enlightenment

Cruising Mythologies

The Boat Isn't as Important as You Might Think

Chapter 2: Profiles of the Cruising Community

Looking for Brian Lecur

Types of Cruisers

Common Traits of Successful Cruisers

Chapter 3: Should You Go Cruising?

Start Now to Develop Your Plan for Departure

Who Is Going with You?

The Nays

And the Nay Nays

Chapter 4: The Decision to Go

Two Paths Up the Same Mountain

Epiphany

Don't Commit Yourself until You Have to Commit Yourself

Chapter 5: Cruising without a Boat: Meet the Cruising Kitty

Getting Gone

You're on Your Way

The Cruising Kitty

Richard and the Warm Cervezas

The Size of the Kitty

Three Types of Cruising Kitties

Chapter 6: Feeding the Kitty

Start Saving Now

Minimalism--The Key to the Cruising Life

Meet Your New Minimalist Lifestyle

Credit: The Most Frivolous of All Frivolities

Work to Live

Put Your Money to Work

The All-Service Discount Brokerage

Grooming Your Kitty

Risk Management

Investment Vehicles

Dividend Reinvestment Options

Worry-Free Kitties

Don't Cry, Diversify

How Not to Buy Socks

Planning for What Comes Next

Chapter 7: Planning Departure

Uncle Freddy and the Pompadour Kid

Learning to Sail

Learning about Cruising

You're Almost Ready

Susan and the Wonder Cruise

Destinations--The Long-Range Plan

Charts and Guidebooks

The First-Year Plan

Don't Become a Liveaboard

Chapter 8: Life Aboard

An Incident at Aitutaki

Cruising Skills

Noncruising Cruising Skills

Skills You'll Need Ashore

Skills to Sell to Other Cruisers

Skills to Sell Ashore

Chapter 9: OK, Let's Buy a Boat

Delphus and the Doofus

Looking at Boats

A Liability, Not an Asset

Pay Cash

Insurance

A Few Things to Look for in Your Cruising Boat

New Boats versus Old Boats

Let the Search Begin

The Hull

The Engine

What's Your Price Range?

Some Favorite Boats

Making an Offer

Get a Survey

Building Your Own Boat

Chapter 10: Commence Cruising

Let's Get Going

The Rigging

The Electrical System

Batteries and Charging Systems

The Engine

Sea Trials

Chapter 11: Food and the Cruising Galley

The Most Important Part of the Boat

Galley Layout and Hardware

The Kitchen Sink

Storage

Pots and Pans

Galley Gadgets

Sharing the Chores

A Few Fantastic Recipes from 's Galley

Chapter 12: The Electronics Revolution

Electronic Marvels

Electronic Navigation

Radar

Communications

The Internet

Personal Computers

Water, Water, Everywhere

Safety at Sea

Appendix

Recommended Reading

Index