Customer Reviews

Chapman Piloting: Seamanship & Boat Handling

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the most comprehensive book on seamanship that I have ever seen. It includes almost all topics related with boating. Very nice print quality... Every boater must have one...

Our most frequently asked question: "What's the one book you'd recommend for a boater?" Our answer every time: "Chapman's."

Whether you're a new boater just getting started or an old salt needing a little refresher, this is your dependable one-volume reference. When we need material for our "Boating/PWC Basics" course, this is where we go.

The book is continuously updated and fresh, with new information on topics like GPS and how to use it and Digital Selective Calling (DSC) for your marine radio. It continues to present essential and complete information on preparing to get underway, operating and navigating your boat, the practice of good seamanship, docking or mooring your boat, and how to put it away for the winter (which some of us have to do!).

Chapman's has been a fixture in our library (and on our boats) since the 50th edition in 1972. And even though we pay a little more for it now than the $8.95 price in 1972, you'll still find it a great value at Amazon's price shown above.

Our advice: Don't leave home (or the dock) without it.

I know the cost is high, but you cannot go without this book. Go and look at it in the library if you need to in order to be convinced, but save yourself the time and just buy it.

I was taught sailing at the old age of 19 by one of my 12 year-old YMCA campers. Since my first 5 minutes on the water I have been hooked.

Since then, I have sailed, raced, motored and flated thousand of miles on all types of boats and in all kinds of conditions. My advice, buy this book and read it. Then read it again.

It is not the kind of book you can sit down and read straight through. You need to have it handy so when you are wondering about something, you can get right to it and learn. Just try not to do it when you are wondering if you have the right of way...

NOBODY should be without this text on the water. It is second in importance only to the lifejackets. It will make boating more pleasant, and mostly, it will make it more safe. The newbie to the boating world, just as the professional (sail or power, tanker or clinker) must read this book before taking responsibility for any boat (and its crew or the crews of the boats you may encounter on the water). Just buy it. Don't ask questions. Buy. Read. Practice. Boat Safely!

I just started in the world of boating and really was quite clueless to the whole terminology used. I have since read about 3 books and find that I use Chapman's the most. The others were good to get my feet wet, but Chapman's is the one I actually use consistenly. Easy to understand and really the only reference / learning book I have found that covers every aspect of boating I needed to learn. Excellent purchase and I would suggest it to anyone who is just starting out. Can't imagine learning all this without it...

Many nautical books come and go, but Captain Charles Chapman's book has stood the test of time. It's the reference book the U.S. Power Squadron used when I took my first boating course and it now stands dog eared next to the 63rd Edition, but I will never part with it. This is the first book we recommend to all of our boating students...From boating basics through flag etiquette, this book usually has the answer. Whether you're new to boating or a seasoned blue water skipper, this should be part of your nautical library....Captain Sig Trotta

A required book for your nautical bookshelf and worth three times the price. But don't expect to read it in just a few evenings.

The 63rd Edition should tell you something. This is a huge text that has been revised and improved many times. I have three different editions spanning 35 years--including a recent one which had been moderized especially in the area of electronics.

Many people might be daunted by the amount of information in this book. It is presented by topic and not necessarily by the order you should learn this material. If you think of it as a reference and take it one bite at a time, and work your way through the book, you will be a better seaman for it.

The text is suitable for both power boaters and sailors, who own or operate small to large yachts.

Having trouble docking? Confused about anchoring? Buy this book. The explanations for the use of spring lines alone are worth the price of the book, and will help you keep your vessel intact. We don't want to smash the boat up with 50 people watching do we?

Chapman's is still most read, referenced, and by all other means used book on general boating available today. If you could take a class called Boating 101 this would be the textbook. From navigation to knots, protocol to docking, it covers just about every part of seamanship except maybe what to wear. And I wouldn't be surprised if there is a section on that which I just haven't read yet! Overall an excellant book for the new comer to the "old salt."

Chapman's is probably on more boater's book shelves than any other nautical text. While I refer to the navigation sections most often, readers will find comprehensive sections on boat handling, safety, equipment, and marlinspikemanship. Chapman's gives alot of bang for the buck.

If you are into recreational boating, this is the Bible for boating information. This is the best technical reference available for all of the combined topics related to recreational boating: safety, boat handling, etiquette, terminology, navigation, weather and etc. The writing style is easy to read and understand for the beginner but contains much essential information for the seasoned boater as well.