Getting Started in Powerboating

I was moving up from just playing around on a lake in an old 18 ft deck boat, to purchase a 26 ft cabin cruiser for bay and ILW. Knowing there was a lot I needed to know to make this transition, I started reading books. This was the fourth book I bought, and the most useful by far. It clearly explained things I needed to know before making a boat purchase, and afterwards gave me the practical info I needed to stay out of trouble. It is no substitue for basic boating safety course material, but adds depth to the reasons behind the rules (and the likelyhood that the other guy is following them). For me, just its practical explainations of how boats handle in wind when docking was worth the price alone. By far the best book I have seen for someone buying a boat in the small cruiser (22 - 35 foot) range.

An excellent book that gives you a basic understanding of hull types, engine types, boat opeartion, docking, anchoring, safety and more. I still refer to this book on a regular basis. It should be one of the books on your shelf if you are serious about being a good, safe Captain.

Bob Armstrong does a great job explaining what to expect as you get started with a power boat. Much if the information could be available in other places, but this is a great reference.I highly recommend this book to all new boaters who take the United States Power Squadron Boat Safety class I teach because of the first chapter. It poses and explains all the questions one should ask oneself before purchasing a power boat: size, total cost of ownership, type and style, mooring or trailer considerations, etc etc. Understanding and heeding the sound and solid advice in these pages could easily save a boat owner many Boat Units in avoiding wrong choices (A Boat Unit is $1000). It may help you understand what the "Perfect Boat" might be for you, based on your criteria. A definite "Must Have" on your bookshelf.

"Getting Started" is an interesting and easy to read book that will give one the background he or she needs to select the right boat and then teaches him how handle it. The author starts with the basics of boating, like why a boat floats and what makes a quality boat and smoothly builds to more complicated topics like boat handling, docking, proper line usage, and weather emergencies. Surely Bob Armstrong has trained many crews in his lifetime as a professional Captain. His examples, diagram, teaching technique, and language are forward and easy to understand. I have made good use of many of the techniques in this book since I started in powerboating. It has been an invaluable guide and reference. Thanks, Bob!

I purchased this book because it answered basic power boating questions in one convenient book. The answers could have been found by pouring over a multitude of boating magazines. Much that is covered here can be found in the "classic" books. This book isn't as dry and is well written. A classic book like "Chapmans piloting, seamanship and smallboat handling" (an important resource) is awfully daunting to a beginner anxious to get out on the water. Every beginner should read Bob's chapter on, "Why boats don't behave like cars." I especially liked the early on comparison of the 3 hull types and of the power types - these are some of the first questions a new boater must tackle to make an intelligent choice when shopping for a boat. This book also covers the basics of docking and use of docklines. This isn't the only book you'll buy but it is a good start by a competent, organized writer/seaman. Jeff Siddons