Preparing for Cruising

[thistlecap]

I received a personal message asking what I'd recommend for learning chart reading and navigation in preparation for cruising around the world.  Since many may be interested, I'm answering on site.
(1) Again, for a comprehensive nautical education, I'd recommend U.S. Power Squadrons above all alternatives.  The only reason for using other sources would be if you can't find opportunities in your area.  Since USPS is the world's oldest and largest boating education organization, it can serve nearly everyone.  The squadron near you can be found at usps.org.  Basic boating knowledge is required for membership, or you can take their basic boating course, and members can take courses in seamanship, pilotage, advanced pilotage, celestial, advanced celestial, meteorology, engine maintenance, cruise planning, marine electronics, GPS, and others.  The only obligation of membership is the willingness to teach others what you've learned.   This benefits you also, as there's no better way to learn a subject in depth than having to teach it.  Many years ago the curriculum was reviewed by the staff of the Naval Academy, who reported the material met or exceeded the training received by graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy.  You just don't get the college degree and don't have to serve six years in the military.  You'll learn everything you need to take you anywhere, what resources you may wish to use and how to use them, and where to find them.  If you have any further questions on this, let me know.
(2) On what books I'd recommend, I'd first direct you to bookstore.gpo.gov and goodoldboat.com/books, also U.S. Naval Institute.  The Government Printing Office handles all naval and navigation books and reference materials.  GoodOldBoat has a great bookshelf listing.  Their site gives you access to Amazon, and purchases through that site kicks a few cents back to GoodOldBoat to help maintain this resource.  If you're also interested in navigation and naval history, the naval institute will give you access to the same reading list used by all the admirals, the president, and the joint chiefs.  Some recommendations I'd make are:
Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling by Charles F. Chapman (commonly just called Chapman )is the universal bible for an introduction for nearly any subject you need.
American Practical Navigator by Nathaniel Bowditch, (commonly just called Bowditch) is the ultimate authoritative text on all facets of marine navigation.
Dutton"s Navigation and Pilotage (commonly just called Dutton) is the naval academy textbook of pilotage and navigation. It sometimes helps to boil down or give another perspective than Bowditch.
The Atlantic Crossing Guide by RCC Pilotage Foundation, edited by Philip Allen
World Cruising Handbook by Jimmy Cornell
World Cruising Routes by Jimmy Cornell
How to Sail Around the World by Hal Roth
Cruising Handbook by Nigel Calder or any other book written by Calder, such as his Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual
Passagemaking Handbook by John Rains and Patricia Miller
The Circumnavigator's Handbook by Steve and Linda Dashew (One word of caution on Dashew's material. They sail expensive, huge, high-tech vessels.  They have a world of knowledge, but some of it doesn't relate directly to those of us in the real world.)
Living Aboard, by Jan and Bill Moeller
Also, Larry and Lin Pardey have written too many books to list.  Any of them are a great read and offer help for those of us in the sailfar category.  A few of these I've had a long time, such as Living Aboard, so they may be dated, but they give you a subject line to follow.  I hope this helps.
Merry Christmas, Jim

[AdriftAtSea]

Jim—

I'd add the following:

Beth Leonard's The Voyager's Handbook, now in its second edition

Richard K. Hubbard's Boater's Bowditch, The Small-Craft Practical American Navigator—basically Bowditch re-written with an emphasis on what is most useful for small craft navigators

Dave Gerr's The Nature of Boats, which is just a fascinating read on the design and construction of boats

Bill Seifert's Offshore Sailing, which contains a lot of great ideas for making your boat more seaworthy

[chris2998]

Thanks Jim I've got a couple of the books you have listed Hal roth got that dam good book got Jimmy Cornells which is a great book been going through it, US power squadrom I may have to check that one out

[Lynx]

I shoould add a 6 - 9 month cruise in your local waters. Moving the boat every few days. This will go a long way getting everything groved in.