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How to Sail Around the World : Advice and Ideas for Voyaging Under Sail
A new classic from one of the world's most respected sailing authors More than 35 years ago, Hal Roth quit his job as a journalist and went sailing. Since then, he's logged more than 200,000 sea miles. Along the way, Roth also has authored eight voyaging classics, including the 1978 bestseller After 50,000 Miles . Taking that book as its starting point, this handsome new volume incorporates the new technologies and discoveries of the last quarter century along with another 150,000 miles of experience. A compendium of mature, time-tested sea wisdom from one of the world's most respected sailing writers, How to Sail Around the World will tell the
- GenresNonfictionTravel
480 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 15, 2019
A few good philosophical points about the "good life" and lots of technical advice. I will come back for the technicalities, reading only is not enough without actually doing it, again and again. E.g. anchoring...
November 13, 2024
A practical guide on sailing! It delivers on its promise for sure, with interesting and useful details on the day-to-day life under the sail, as well as special considerations that I had not thought of before.
My impression of this book was that it struck somewhere between a memoir and a guide. On the one hand, the author gave interesting and fun anecdotes from his own sailing adventures that were both entertaining and useful. On the other, there was a wealth of practical advice and directions for the more technical aspects of long-distance sailing. For a beginner I feel it was appropriate and useful, though it did leave a person with little more than a starting point for the journey. Admittedly this was the aim, but I suppose I would have really liked a next-step recommendation on reading, such as a reference to celestial navigation, or even to Coast Guard resources that will help the amateur along.
The experiences of the author are true enough, but I feel it necessary to observe that the lion's share of knowledge was gained from the 1980s and 90s- much of the information must be combed through and verified to ensure that it's still relevant. As far as re-reading, I'll keep this one on my shelf to reference more technical sections and to compare my sailing experiences to his.
My impression of this book was that it struck somewhere between a memoir and a guide. On the one hand, the author gave interesting and fun anecdotes from his own sailing adventures that were both entertaining and useful. On the other, there was a wealth of practical advice and directions for the more technical aspects of long-distance sailing. For a beginner I feel it was appropriate and useful, though it did leave a person with little more than a starting point for the journey. Admittedly this was the aim, but I suppose I would have really liked a next-step recommendation on reading, such as a reference to celestial navigation, or even to Coast Guard resources that will help the amateur along.
The experiences of the author are true enough, but I feel it necessary to observe that the lion's share of knowledge was gained from the 1980s and 90s- much of the information must be combed through and verified to ensure that it's still relevant. As far as re-reading, I'll keep this one on my shelf to reference more technical sections and to compare my sailing experiences to his.
October 14, 2019
Interesting and very detailed
Reads more like a textbook than a novel. Filled with VERY detailed accounts of small boat sailing from a couple who have clearly spent a lifetime at it. It’s pretty dry for the arm-chair adventurer so I’d recommend only if someone is actually planning on buying a boat and cruising.
Reads more like a textbook than a novel. Filled with VERY detailed accounts of small boat sailing from a couple who have clearly spent a lifetime at it. It’s pretty dry for the arm-chair adventurer so I’d recommend only if someone is actually planning on buying a boat and cruising.
October 16, 2023
3.25 Timeless advice and insights into all things related to blue water sailing. More of a reference for me vs an enjoyable read though there are a fairy number of stories and anecdotes from the author's life.
February 8, 2018
Some good, practical advise from someone that doesn’t appear to have an axe to grind or a philosophy to push. Good reference to other materials as well.
April 28, 2014
This is yet another classic in the required sailor's reading list.
Very clearly written, tackling topics in extreme detail. Hence very dense. It took me forever to get through it. It covers all the key topics I’ve seen before in other texts like this.
And that’s a good thing because:
1) It is good to hear the same topics described in different ways. Each time it all sinks in a little deeper into the old cranium.
2) It gives me hope that the number of cruising topics I need to cover is finite. Sometimes, the more I learn, the more I realise how much I don’t know yet. A bit overwhelming at times. Seeing the same basic topics coming up again and again in cruising how-to books gives me hope.
The key areas this book covers are:
* how to pick a yacht
* sails and sail management
* anchoring
* storm management
* life aboard (food care, dinghies, schooling, foreign paperwork…)
My favourite things in this book:
* anchoring
* storm management – analysed with best practices for each level of storm force. Well explained and documented.
One thing I would have wished for? Hmm. Maybe a few more illustrative anecdotes. I had to push myself to get through a few sections that were really dense. But the excruciating detail is what I liked about it. It was challenging to power through at times though.
Overall: I’ll be coming back to this one and reading it again cover to cover. I’ll get more out if it next time after getting more sea miles in to give perspective. I bought this book because it’s consistently highly recommended. It did not disappoint. A+.
Very clearly written, tackling topics in extreme detail. Hence very dense. It took me forever to get through it. It covers all the key topics I’ve seen before in other texts like this.
And that’s a good thing because:
1) It is good to hear the same topics described in different ways. Each time it all sinks in a little deeper into the old cranium.
2) It gives me hope that the number of cruising topics I need to cover is finite. Sometimes, the more I learn, the more I realise how much I don’t know yet. A bit overwhelming at times. Seeing the same basic topics coming up again and again in cruising how-to books gives me hope.
The key areas this book covers are:
* how to pick a yacht
* sails and sail management
* anchoring
* storm management
* life aboard (food care, dinghies, schooling, foreign paperwork…)
My favourite things in this book:
* anchoring
* storm management – analysed with best practices for each level of storm force. Well explained and documented.
One thing I would have wished for? Hmm. Maybe a few more illustrative anecdotes. I had to push myself to get through a few sections that were really dense. But the excruciating detail is what I liked about it. It was challenging to power through at times though.
Overall: I’ll be coming back to this one and reading it again cover to cover. I’ll get more out if it next time after getting more sea miles in to give perspective. I bought this book because it’s consistently highly recommended. It did not disappoint. A+.
December 20, 2010
Outstanding fact and procedure book from the standpoint of an expert mariner who has sailed around the world 3 times. Written objectively with plain and simple advice. If Hal is stating opinion he says that it is opinion and why he believes it is true. With his extensive experience his opinion carries great weight.
November 1, 2007
Excellent book, very practical and at times poignant. I consider Hal Roth one of the definitive voices on small boat sailing. This solid book answers almost all questions, also has a great, lengthy section on Storm Management.
July 6, 2012
I wish I'd read this book a few years ago. It answered so many questions, plus did so in such a way that I felt like I had enough information to make my own judgements. Fantastic book. Must read for sailors.
February 9, 2013
I was disappointed somewhat in the book because I saw too much of his previous work in it. But you can't deny he was one of the most experienced ocean crusing people around so you can't help respect his authority on the subject.
July 8, 2007
A technical How To Book. Anyone wanna come?
July 2, 2012
this was a very interesting read, with heaps of details on the diferent ports and sailing techniques. Hal Roth also included lots of personal experiences from his own voyages.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews