Stapleton's Powerboat Bible: The Complete Guide to Selection, Seamanship, and Cruising

This was the first book on powerboating I found in the bookstore. The type of boat he favors is much much too expensive to operate for someone of my limited means, though such craft can also be used as world cruisers if you are rich enough and don't mind stopping often for fuel and repairs. He seems to prefer the full on paranoia and modern comfort approach: boats that go fast and have all modern ameneties (air conditioning hot and cold running, satellite TV, radar, sonar, etc etc etc). Beyond this,he does explain the different powerboat arrangements possible, and gives instructions on everything from selecting specific doodads, to navigation, to legality in foreign waters, to boat handling, to radio management to tying knots. Good stuff: if I get a boat, this book goes with it. Amusingly, looking at the boats available in the dealerships, and in use in the marinas, his style seems to be the most popular one for power cruisers. Possibly because it represents a compromise between long range cruising ability, and weekend cruising ability.

I am one builduing a passagemaking vessel and this boat helped me a lot in reviewing some basic concepts. These concepts are in constant change and of course new gimmicks are always coming around but the basics are always the same. Thoroughly enlightening.

Sid Stapleton has written the book I've been looking for. Sid goes through all the required equipment you need for off coastal cruising and doesn't hestitate to give his opinion. He doesn't forget a thing. Everything from negoiating for the best vessel to what equipment is overkill. This book is definately not for people looking to stay near coastal and cruise on weekends. This book lays out everything you would need to live on a powerboat for weeks, if not, months at a time. Besides Sid's excellent experience, he is a great writer and made this book so addictive I couldn't put it down. For those out there curious on what it takes to cruise continent to continent or what kind of budget it takes to live the ultimate lifestyle, read this book. A+!!