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 punchesÑhe 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.)
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