Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat

Now in a new third edition revised and updated by yachting journalist Dieter Loibner, Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat is 20-year sailing veteran Jerry Cardwell's guide to owning and enjoying cruises on an affordable small sailboat according to the basic principle, "You can sail big on a small sailboat far more easily and for much less money than you can sail small on a big sailboat." Chapters offer a basic primer of all aspects of a modest sailboat; how to deal with sailing dangers from physical injury to heavy weather to crew overboard to broken rigging or rudder; what absolute necessities to bring such as distress signals, emergency lights, a global positioning system, and sail repair/rigging tape; how to properly assess the quality of a used boat before spending one's hard-earned money; and much more. Written in a straightforward tone for readers of all backgrounds, Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat is a first-rate primer for anyone interested in tasting the thrill of the waves on a modest budget.

This book was my bible when I went looking for a trailerable sailboat. Hard to imagine making he journey without it, and I'm very pleased with the boat I bought. Essential for others considering this way to sail.

The larger boat crews, in my boating area, discuss construction quite a lot because there is concern that an older racing sail boat isn't strong enough for West Coast of Vancouver Island (British Columbia Canada) duty. My wife ordered "Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat" because she and I have always been concerned about our 26 footer; others being quick to say the boat is to small. Dr. Jerry Cardwell, who wrote Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat, was a Catalina 22 loyal. When Catalina changed the 22 mold, Dr Cardwell was NOT sure that this was an upgrade and did an extensive study of production pocket cruisers. He ended up strongly recommending the Mac26x, our vessel, while giving praise to many trailerable sailboats that owing to the riggors required for trailering are built stronger than many 30 to 60 foot sail boats. He states."A common misconception about sailboats is that 'bigger' means 'safer' That is simply not true. ... In fact, there are sea and weather conditions when a smaller, trailerable sailboat may actually be safer than a much larger sailboat."The book is an especially exciting read for a Mac26x owner (there are over 5,000 of them) because Cardwell spends some time discussing the history of production in fiber glass and the history of MacGregor Yachts.The major finding regarding our vessel from his book is that dealers told Cardwell that the Mac26x has an additional layer of glass fiber throughout the hull than is normal for trailerables. This was done because there was a question about the vibration and pounding the hull would take owing to motoring at wide open throttle with the standard 50 hp engine. Dr. Cardwell was a guy who was to smart to buy new. He expected to purchase his Mac26x after others took the depreciation. He has quite a theory of buying used. I highly recommend the book even though I disagree with the buying used notion. You just do not see that much depreciation in trailerable boats. It is the engines that depreciate. While Cardwell never owned a Mac26x, he did make himself the authority. There are Mac26x factoids through out the work. Its a must purchase item for Mac26x owners but any used boat prospect will benefit because they will come to see trailerable vessels as more seaworthy than the waterbound. Highest rating. Read cover to cover and more than once!

I would suggest Jerry Cardwell's "Sailing Big on a Small Sailboat" to anyone interested in purchasing a new or used trailerable sailboat. This book is not a "how to" book on sailing; but rather is an insightful book on sailing comfortably, and safely, on a 22 to 26 foot crusing sailboat. I really liked this book and wish there were more like it.

This is a wonderful book for those that own or are looking to own a sailboat in the 22' to 25' range. Mr. Cardwell covers all aspects of selecting and outfitting a sailboat of this size.His main point: Spend fewer dollars on a smaller boat and have enough money left over to fully outfit it rather than spend your last dollar on a somewhat larger boat.I really enjoyed Mr. Cardwell's conversational tone and his many anecdotes. This updated edition also gives a short review of the Catalina 22MKII, the Catalina 250, the McGregor 26x and the Hunter 240. I highly recommend this book.Sadly, J.D. Cardwell's wife tells us in the closing note to the book of her husband's untimely death from a heart attack while doing one the things he loved most: Sailing.