Intricate Art of Living Afloat

I read this book first excited skipping from chapter to chapter than from cover to cover in about two days. I can only speak of my experience as a dreamer and someone who has a million questions about what it is like to live afloat. The author's years of experience clearly comes through. This book has so much good advice and seems to me quite thorough in its analysis of the needs required for the sailing life. The author also speaks in a practical down to earth manner that is easy to read and enjoyable as well. I thought it a perfect introduction to the topic it covers but again, the author with over 20 years of cruising experience I'm sure has many useful tidbits of information for the experienced sailor as well.

This is a book that has given me personal fits. You see, it's very inexpensive, and yet I find so much of value within the pages that I wondered why it was so cheap. It's gone back and forth between my keeper shelf and the "Sell" section so many times I finally went with my gut. Keep this one! You see, the author (wife, mom, raised and schooled a couple of kidlets aboard) lived aboard this large wooden schooner and that's what on occasion put me off. I'm looking to buy a small Fiberglas sailboat and my space considerations will differ drastically. Plus maintenance too ought to be less aboard a plastic boat, right?! RIGHT? (you're supposed to agree with me here) And well, they chartered too and that's not a goal of mine. BUT, well, we need this book. It's filled with PRACTICAL (read: cheap) advice on how to make the most with little cash flow. I like her advice on cooking, laundry, galley goods, first aid, critters aboard (both wanted and pests) and gosh, well, it's folksy advice. The thing is, she's not advocating a Beth Leonard (think high-dollar cruising ala Voyager's Handbook) lifestyle. I think there's enough useful information this one deserves a place aboard. The Intricate Art of Living Afloat is for families and couples working with limited finances and tight budgets. You're not going to see lists of high-cost electronics "necessary" for voyaging. Buy the book -- you'll see. Oh, and she lives without refrigeration so has some advice on food storage and such you'll find helpful. This is a book closer to the Lyn and Larry Pardey lifestyle, yet, well she's so friendly... I like her, and you will too! Um, I will say I wouldn't pay retail for it -- but then again, I'm thrifty. Used prices are MORE THAN FAIR. Don't wait -- buy it now!