Voyaging Under Power

This book is a good read even if you are not venturing far. The update has been well done although has come in for some flak from the purists. It gives a snapshot into how far technolgy has come in the 40 or so years since Beebe started writing.

Although I have never ventured beyond the horizon -- fish for blues out to 25 miles offshore--- I have been fascinated with the modern equivalents of Homer's fabled voyager. This book brings Homer's world-travelling explorer into the 21st century. Make no mistake, this is not a tale of imaginary voyages, but an eminently practical guide for those who would cross oceans in engine powered craft to experience exotic and beautiful vistas. Of course you need upwards of half a million bucks to spend on a world-cruising seaworthy vessel. Beebe never envisioned the exorbitant cost of the trawler market when he designed his original passagemaker. He did lay out some very methodical formulae and building guides for follow-up vessels. The epitome of the lessons from the first edition were realized by Jim Leishman, author/editor of the revised edition. His Nordhavn 46, and better, his Nordhavn 62, design are the fulfillment of Beebe's directives. Unlike another reviewer, I did not find that his revisions smacked of a Nordhavn commercial. He included many other contemporary builders' designs and was fair in his assessments of these boats. All in all, the book is THE bible of offshore and trans-oceanic power cruising. The practical aspects of buying and fitting out a vessel, provisioning it for the voyage, and navigating in mid-ocean as well as in shoal waters, are set out in a lively and clear manner.

I had heard this was the best book on the subject of trawlers. The book exceeded myexpectations. While Beebe's original formulas and examples stillwork, I especially appreciated the update, and references to current boats being built.Excellent!

Beebe's Voyaging Under Power set the standard for long distance power boating. Jim Leishman, designer of the popular Norhavn 46 trawler, restates Beebe's thesis that a properly found power boat of 40 to 50 feet is capable of transoceanic travel. Considerations such as hull shape, power requirements, fuel considerations, as well as stablization are dealt with in a professional and easy to understand format. This book is a must is you are considering long distance power travel, or just enjoy the technical aspects that are involved in such an endeavor.

This book is a classic. It debunks once and for all the notion that only sailboats can cruise the the world's oceans. Let's face it, powerboats are easier to handle and more comfortable to live aboard than sailboats. This book shows how even retired landlubbers can enjoy extended ocean cruises and romantic island hideaways. It explains, in great detail, what types of power boats are seaworthy enough to handle an ocean crossing and how they can cruise places sailboats can't. Even if you're just daydreaming about piloting your own boat to those remote sandy beaches, get this book