The Windvane Self Steering Handbook

Here is the definitive manual for choosing, purchasing, installing, maintaining, repairing, using, and even building a windvane self-steerer, that amazing device that relieves longdistance sailors from the the helm while using not one amp of precious electrical power. This user-friendly guide includes: How vane gears work A clear discussion of how to match vane design with boat Invaluable instructions for how to sail with a windvane-- settings, sail trim, and more A detailed look at nine commercial models, plus plans and instructions for readers to build their own

In Crime is Not the Problem, Franklin Zimring and Gordon Hawkins revolutionize the way we think about crime and violence--by forcing us to distinguish between crime and violence. The authors reveal that compared to other industrialized nations, in most categories of nonviolent crime, American crime rates are comparable--even lower, in some cases. Only when it comes to lethal violence does the United States outpace other Western nations, with homicide rates many, many times greater. London and New York City have nearly the same number of robberies and burglaries each year, but robbers and burglars kill 54 victims in New York for every victim death in London. Why are the risks so much greater that victims will be killed or maimed in the United States? And what can be done to bring the death rate from American violence down to tolerable levels? The authors show how the impact of television and movie violence on rates of homicide is wildly overrated, but emphasize the paramount importance of guns. By making the crucial distinction between lethal violence and crime in general, the authors clear the ground for a targeted, far more effective response to the real crisis in American society. Crime is Not the Problem will reshape the debate about crime control in the United States.

Based on the author's Sailing an Atlantic Circuit, this practical, how-to guide to the planning, preparation and execution of a passage is both a helpful and an inspirational book for all sailors considering an offshore or ocean passage. A vastly experienced Atlantic ocean sailor, Alastair Buchan looks in detail at three specific passages (a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, a passage from the Eastern Seaboard of the USA to the Caribbean, and cruising around the Caribbean itself). The advice, ranging from choosing/refitting a boat, insurance, safety, training crew and route planning to watch keeping, weather routeing, heavy weather strategies and disaster management, is applicable to any other open sea passage and will be invaluable to any would-be long distance sailors. Illustrated throughout with helpful diagrams, maps, and inspirational photography, this is an essential handbook for all sailors aspiring to make an offshore or ocean passage. 'An informative common sense approach...from decades of personal experience' Dorset Echo 'A comprehensive user-friendly guide that will inspire any armchair dreamer...thoroughly informative and entertainingly written' Yachting Monthly

In the bestselling style of the Reeds Handbook series, Reeds Ocean Handbook follows on from Reeds Skipper's Handbook for skippers or crew planning to venture further afield. Complimenting the RYA Ocean Yachtmaster course, this handy pocketbook provides an aide-memoire for all the essential navigation, weather and route planning theory as well as practical guidance and advice on long-distance radio communications, ocean passage-making and risk/emergency preparations. Colour coded sections, for user-friendly accessibility, cover: - World climate and route planning (including world wind systems, ocean currents, tropical revolving storms) - Navigation (charts, great circle vs Mercator routes, time zones, satellite navigation systems, advice on on-passage navigation routines) - Astro navigation (basic theory refresher, practical astro navigation, unique step-by-step instructions for Astro sight reduction plus using and adjusting the sextant) - Passage making (route planning, preparing the yacht, power needs, supplies of water, food, gas and diesel, watch-keeping routines, crew care) - Communications (features and advantages of VHF, MF, SSB and satellite phones, weather fax, email and access to the internet) - Risks and emergencies (preparing for them, equipment checklist, grab bags, emergency scenario procedures) Internationally relevant and with colour diagrams throughout, this handy pocket-sized handbook is an ideal revision aid on shore and the perfect quick reference guide on the boat.

The Pacific Crossing Guide is a complete reference for anyone contemplating sailing the Pacific in their own boat. From ideal timing, suitable boats, routes, methods of communication, health and provisioning to seasonal weather, departure and arrival ports, facilities, likely costs and dangers, the comprehensiveness of this new edition will both inspire dreamers and instil confidence in those about to depart. This new edition has been completely restructured with Part 1 covering thorough preparation for a Pacific crossing and Part 2 covering Pacific weather patterns, major routes and landfall ports, with useful website links throughout. There are completely new sections on rallies, coral atolls and atoll navigation, the cyclone season and laying up, use of electronic charts, satellite phones versus HF radio, ongoing maintenance, and Pacific festivals. Completely updated, expanded and refreshed for the new generation of Pacific cruisers, this is the definitive reference, relied upon by many thousands of cruisers.