Every single boating magazine and reviewer that picked up this book had the same comment - it's impossible to put down. We decided to put that to the test and see just how useful Vigor's book is. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the hype was well justified. It actually was a book that we didn't want to stop reading, and that's not an easy accomplishment when it comes to writing a virtual dictionary about boating.

Unlike many books in this genre, this one is not divided up into chapters. Rather, it's very much a dictionary, covering everything from abandoning ship to sacrificial zinc. Yep - even sacrificial zinc is covered. You really can't ask for a book that goes into more minute detail than this one and many of the tips are life saving ones that you should remember for the rest of your life. We liked the book the book was laid out, since sometimes, you don't want to have to read through an entire chapter just to get to the one thing you needed to know. For those on a time limit, this is the perfect resource. For those that need a true reference book on what to expect with their boat, this is a resource that cannot be used enough.

As if all of that wasn't more than enough, the author added a section in the back that contains useful formulas and tables to make everything even easier. If you've ever tried to calculate a formula on ship and couldn't remember what you needed, this book makes it incredibly easy for even a novice to tackle.

Our favorite section was the one on perception and navigating the water by sight. This is something that not many books cover, but it is a skill that is very important to develop. You can't always rely on your instruments, and the eye does not always tell the truth with what you think you see. Read this section often and test your skills to see how you do. For this one tip alone we would have purchased the book, but this is just the tip of the literary iceberg. Everything you could ever want to know about boating is contained right here.

Bottom line, if you are thinking about buying your own boat, or you are a seasoned captain in your own right, there is definitely something in this book for you. Buy two copies - one for the boat and one for your nightstand. You'll definitely want to keep revisiting it for a refresher course. On the boat, it is like having your own personal manual that can get you through some sticky situations. Well worth the cover price and we highly recommend it to boaters of all skill levels, and especially for those that are just getting into the world of boating. It's vital to do things the right way, and this book will give you a jump start on doing just that.

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