Front MatterPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart One: The BoatChapter 1. A Boat for CruisingBasic Design ParametersLength-Beam Ratio; Keel Types; Displacement Calculations; Ballast Ratio; Displacement-Length Ratio; Overhangs; Waterplanes and Immersion; Comfort Factor; Sail Area-Displacement Ratio; Stability Curves and Ratio; Capsize Screening Value and STIX Number; Maintaining Control; Speed-Length Ratio; Buttocks, Diagonals, and Aft Sections; Speed versus ComfortGetting Down to DetailsConstruction Materials; Cored Hulls and Decks; Hull-to-Deck Joints; Structural Reinforcements; Keels; Rudders and Skegs; Skegs and Propellers; Bilge Water and TankageConclusionChapter 2. On DeckRigs and RiggingRig Options; Masts, Spreaders, and Shroud Angles; Holding Up the Mast; Roller-Reefing Foresails; Mainsail; Odds and EndsCockpits and Deck LayoutCenter or Aft Cockpit; Basic Parameters and the Comfort Factor; Steering; Dodgers and Biminis; Cockpit Flooding; Deck Design and Layout; StowageDealing with Ground TackleBow Platform; Deck Layout; Anchor Wells; Chain Locker; WindlassesAddendum: Carbon Fiber MastsLightning and Other Survival IssuesChapter 3. Cruising Accommodations: Fusing Functionality at Sea with Comfort on the HookGeneral ConsiderationsMinimizing Motion; Keeping Things in Place; Insulation; Ventilation; Air Conditioning and HeatingSpecific SpacesNavigation Station; Wet Locker; Galley; Saloon; Forecabins, Quarter Berths, and Aft Cabins; Head CompartmentConclusionAddendum: Carbon Monoxide PoisoningCarbon Monoxide AlarmsChapter 4. Electrical SystemsA Balanced SystemKeeping the Load Down; The Supply Side; Supplementary Sources of Power; Defining the Limits; Miscellaneous DC Systems IssuesDC to AC InvertersSizing an Inverter; DC and AC InstallationsOver-Current Protection and High-Current CircuitsWhat Size Fuse or Circuit Breaker?; High-Current Circuits; Check Your Own BoatLow-Energy RefrigerationEfficiency; Versatility; Insulate, Insulate, Insulate; Enhancing Performance; Effective RefrigerationLow-Energy LightingFluorescent Lights; LED Lighting; Halogen LightsAC SystemsSafety; Corrosion; Miscellaneous AC Systems CommentsBonding, Zinc Anodes, and Lightning ProtectionStray-Current Corrosion and Bonding; Lightning ProtectionConclusionChapter 5. The Rest of the SystemsThe Engine and PropellerHow Big an Engine?; Propeller Sizing; Propeller Matters; Peripheral Systems; Living with an EngineFuel and Water TanksMetal Tanks; Plastic Tanks; Freshwater Systems; WatermakersBilge PumpsFlooding Rates and Pumping Capacities; Improving Performance: Hoses and Check Valves; Improving Performance: Electrical Considerations; Float Switches; Keeping Dry Below DecksThrough-Hulls, Seacocks, and HosesQuality Through-Hulls and Seacocks; HosesPropane InstallationsThe Problem of Refills When CruisingMaking Equipment ChoicesWhat Spares to Carry?Chapter 6. Acquisition StrategiesDefining PrioritiesWhat Size Boat?; To Build or Not to Build; Commissioning CostsUsed-Boat MarketRefurbishing an Older Sailboat; Old Racing Boats; A Survey; Go Sailing as Soon as Possible!Cruising-Boat Questionnaire and Checklist of Desirable FeaturesPart Two: Cruising SkillsChapter 7. Boat Handling under Power and SailManeuvering under PowerClose Quarters Maneuvering under Power; Docking (Mooring) Lines; Docking Situations; The Mediterranean Moor; Getting in and out of Slips; Picking up and Leaving a MooringSailing SkillsA Little Theory (of Sorts!); Going to Windward; Using Telltales; Adjusting Draft; Tacking; Reaching; Running before the Wind; Double Headsails; Spinnakers; Cruising Spinnakers; Weather Helm and Lee Helm; Motor SailingTuning a RigPreparatory Measurements; Static Tuning; Dynamic Tuning at SeaChapter 8. Piloting, Navigation, and the Rules of the RoadPaper ChartsChart Construction; Chart Terminology and Symbols; Chart Corrections; Other Nautical PublicationsBuoyage Systems and LighthousesLateral and Cardinal Marks; Lighthouses; Picking out Navigation MarksCompasses and PlottingCompass Basics; Compass Installation and Adjustment; Transferring Bearings to and from a Chart; Plotting PositionsBasic PilotingDead Reckoning; Estimated Positions, and Set and Drift; Fixes; Plotting Conventions; Tides, Tidal Currents, and Currents; Keeping a Logbook; Expanding the Piloting Repertoire; Complex Situations, Fog, and CoralElectronic NavigationChart and GPS Datums; Electronic Charting; Radar NavigationRules of the RoadBasic Rules; Sound (and Light) Signals; Navigation LightsIn PerspectiveAddendum: One Person's Ellipsoid Is Another Person's ShipwreckNewton versus the Cassini Family; From Sphere to Ellipsoid; From Ellipsoid to Geoid; A New Age; Nautical Peculiarities; Avoiding ReefsChapter 9. Anchoring, Running Aground, and Kedging OffGround TackleCalculating the Load; Matching the Components; Chain Rodes; Rope Rodes; How Much Rode?; Anchor ChoicesAnchoringAnchoring Routine; Setting and Retrieving an Anchor under Sail; Setting More than One Anchor; Retrieving (Weighing) an AnchorRunning Aground and Kedging OffRunning Aground under Sail; Running Aground on a Rising Tide; Running Aground on a Falling Tide; Running Aground in Tideless Waters; Towing and SalvageChapter 10. The Ditty BagModern RopesA Look at Construction; Caring for RopesMarlinespike SeamanshipKnots; Eye Splices; Seizings and Whippings; RatlinesSailsMaterials and Construction; Maintenance and RepairsDinghiesHard versus Inflatable; Inflatable Options; Getting a Dinghy on and off a Boat; Miscellaneous Dinghy ThoughtsFoul-Weather GearFeatures; Layering and the ExtremitiesSafety-Related EquipmentLife Jackets and Harnesses; Crew Overboard Maneuvers; Fire ExtinguishersChapter 11. Weather Predictions and Heavy-Weather SailingBasic TheoryAdding Wind and Putting a Spin on These Processes; Pressure Changes, Isobars, and Wind Direction; Relative Humidity, Air Masses, Stability, and Instability; Frontal Systems; The Jet Stream and the 500-Millibar Chart; The Big PictureCoastal Cruising: Putting Theory to UseOnshore and Offshore Winds; Thunderstorms; FogOffshore Cruising: Putting Theory to UseThings to Monitor; Signs of Change; Ocean CurrentsExtreme Weather SituationsHurricanes and Typhoons; Rapidly Intensifying Lows (Meteorological Bombs); MicroburstsHeavy-Weather SailingBeing Prepared; Heaving-To; Lying Ahull; Running Off; Sea Anchors; Dealing with Flooding; Abandoning ShipConclusionChapter 12. Extended Cruising and Staying in TouchLogistical ConsiderationsProvisioning; Ensuring Safe Water; Environmental Issues; Finding Crew; Financial Matters and Insurance; Bureaucracy; Children OnboardStaying HealthySeasickness; Good Health in Tropical Climates; Diarrhea; Childhood Infections and Infestations; Avoiding Mosquito-Borne and Other Transmittable Diseases; Cuts, Scratches, Insect Bites, and Marine HazardsStaying in TouchBig Ship Developments; VHF Radio; Marine SSB and Ham SSB Radio; Inmarsat; Satellite and Cell (Mobile) Phones; E-Mail; Making Decisions; Snail MailPostscriptBibliographyMetric Conversions and TrademarksIndex