"Offshore cruising" w żeglarstwie angielskim znaczy co innego, niż w Polsce. U nas to żegluga przybrzeżna, u nich - żegluga poza widocznością brzegu, często oceaniczną. Żegluga taka wymaga odpowiedniej wiedzy, przygotowań i rozumienia rozległych dziedzin. Podtytuł książki to "The dream and reality of modern ocean cruising" i autor, Jim Howard (25 lat na oceanach) robi wszystko, by "reality" zbliżyła się jak najbardziej do marzenia, a nie stała się koszmarem. Dzięki praktycznej wiedzy zawartej w książce każdy żeglarz ma możliwość uniknięcia wielu nieprzyjemnych i niebezpiecznych sytuacji.
Dowiemy się, jak wybrać, kupić i wyposażyć jacht. Autor szczegółowo omawia wyposażenie dzieląc je na konieczne, przydatne i zbędne. Dowiemy się, jakie modyfikacje wprowadzić, by nadawał się do długiej oceanicznej włóczęgi. Usłyszymy o planowaniu podróży, zbieraniu pomocy nawigacyjnych, możliwościach, jak to uczynić taniej. O zdrowiu na jachcie, procedurach granicznych, dbaniu o bezpieczeństwo w portach. O sztormowaniu, kotwiczeniu. Autor zakłada, że czytelnik zna prawo drogi, nawigację i inne umiejętności żeglarskie, zatem skupia się na praktycznym ich stosowaniu tak, by rejs odbył się jak najbezpieczniej, najprzyjemniej i najtaniej.
Znakomite recenzje, jakie ta książka zebrała, są w pełni usprawiedliwione. Książka w języku angielskim.
 
Spis treści: Introduction PART 1 THE BOAT CHAPTER 1 Building or Buying a Boat for Offshore Cruising Building on Your Own Partly Finished Boats Buying a New Boat Other Costs Semi-Custom Yachts One-Off Yachts Buying a Used Boat Boat Buyer`s Budget CHAPTER 2 Size Considerations Costs Maintenance Time Cruising Plans Speed Displacement Size of the crew Age and Physical Condition of the Crew Recommendations CHAPTER 3 Choosing the Rig Gaff, Bermuda and Fractional Rigs Sloops Cutters Ketches Yawls Schooners Cat Ketches and Unstayed Rigs The Best Rig CHAPTER 4 Hull Design Considerations Hull and Capsize CHAPTER 5 Cruising Multihulls Speed, Low Cost, and Space Draft Trimaran versus Catamaran Building or Buying a Multihull Multihull Construction Capsize Speed and Responsibility CHAPTER 6 Construction Materials Wood Steel Aluminium Alloy Fiberglass Ferrocement CHAPTER 7 Spars and Standing Rigging Spars Standing Rigging CHAPTER 8 Running Rigging Line Halyards and Sheets Other Working Lines Lines to the Cockpit CHAPTER 9 Deck Layout and Equipment The Deck Bulwarks and Toerails Lifelines and Stanchions Pulpits Deck Cleats and Chocks Bow and Stern Rollers Anchor Windlass Boom Gallows Dodgers Hatches Windows On-Deck Storage CHAPTER 10 Cockpit Arrangement Size Layout and Equipment Visibility from the Cockpit Comfort Safety CHAPTER 11 Cabin Arrangement General Considerations Safety Interior Layout Galley Refrigeration Chart Desk The Main Cabin Cabin Lighting Cabin ventilation Cabin Heaters PART 2 THE SYSTEMS AND THE EQUIPMENT CHAPTER 12 Engine and Propulsion Engine Type and Size Fuel System Cooling Water Exhaust System Engine Mounts and Shaft Couplings Drive Shaft and Associated Hardware Engine Controls and Instruments Engine Alternatives Dealing with Engine Problems CHAPTER 13 PLUMBING Salt-Water System Bilges Bilge Pumps Through-Hull Fittings Fresh-Water System CHAPTER 14 Electrical System Energy Requirements Wiring Diagram Wiring and Connections The System Alternating Current Lightning Protection Bonding Alternative Energy Sources CHAPTER 15 Electronics General Considerations Radios Navigation Electronics Weather Data Electronics Electronic Performance Instruments EPIRBs Miscellaneous Electronics Priority List of Electronics radio Dependence CHAPTER 16 Cruising Sails Sailhandling Sailmakers and Materials Choosing Your Cruising Sails Sail care and Maintenance CHAPTER 17 Self-Steering Systems Mechanical Self-Steering Servo-Pendulum Steering Selecting a Servo-Pendulem Vane Autopilots CHAPTER 18 Magnetic Steering Compasses Anatomy of a Magnetic Compass Legibility Compass Lighting Selecting a Compass Mounting a Bulkhead Compass Taking Care of the Compass CHAPTER 19 Tenders for Cruising Inflatables Rigid tenders (Dinghies) Dinghy Techniques PART 3 THE VOYAGE CHAPTER 20 Trip Planning Weather Shipping Lanes Sailing Aids Sailing Directions (Pilots) Light Lists Radio Publications Tide and Current Tables Cruising Guidebooks Cruising Associations Putting It Together CHAPTER 21 Provisioning Food Water Replenishment Provisioning Ports The Other Side of Provisioning CHAPTER 22 Storage Weight Accessibility Safety and Security Record Keeping Waterproofing Creating Space Food Storage Water Storage Clothing Storage Books and Charts Cameras Electronic Wquipment Spare Parts and Tools Fuel and Flammables CHAPTER 23 Psychological Aspects of Cruising Leadership Potential Problems Voices in the Night Who`s There? CHAPTER 24 Cruising with Children CHAPTER 25 Final Preparations Shakedown Cruise Realities of Departure Saying Good-Bye CHAPTER 26 Routine at Sea Navigation Weather Observations Repairs and Other Jobs Meals Relaxation and Leisure Sleeping Exercise Standing Watch Duties of the Watchstander Watch Schedule CHAPTER 27 Heavy Weather at Sea Preparation Heavy Weather Techniques Post-Storm Conditions Personal Observations CHAPTER 28 Safety at Sea and emergency Procedures Crew Safety Man Overboard Boat Safety Survival CHAPTER 29 Approaching Harbors and Anchorages Condition of the Crew Approach Strategy Yacht Preparation Best Times for Harbor Entry Where to Anchor Before Going Ashore Post-Passage Letdown CHAPTER 30 Anchors and Anchoring Forces Acting on an Anchored Boat Surge Loading How Anchors Work Choosing Your Anchor Anchor Rodes Selecting an Anchoring System Fair Weather Anchoring PART 4 IN PORT CHAPTER 31 Heavy Weather Procedures in Port Safe Harbors To Stay or to Go Picking a Hurricane Anchorage Setting ANchors Anchor Rodes Tying Off to the Land Chafe Boat Preparation Watching Out for the Other Guy Yachts on Land Crew Preparation Non-Hurricane Heavy Weather Levels of Complexity Cabo San Lucas - ACase Study CHAPTER 32 Maintenance and repairs Doing It Yourself Maintenance and Inspection Schedule Manuals and Instruction Books Spares Tools Bottom Paint Selecting a Yard for Haul-Out Repair Charges Haul-Outs On the Hard Security CHAPTER 33 Maintaining Good Health Medical Help Medical Costs and Insurance Seasickness Effects of the Sun Effects of Seawater Inoculations and Illness Pests Dangerous Organisms Taking Routine Medications CHAPTER 34 Security for You and Your Yacht Attitude Theft Visitors Unknown Crew Guns on Board Taking Precautions CHAPTER 35 Formalities Be Prepared Entry Procedures Dealing With Officials CHAPTER 36 Getting Along in Other Cultures CHAPTER 37 Communications, Mail and Money Management Phone, Fax, and E-mail Mail Forwarding Receiving Yacht Equipment Money and Banking CHAPTER 38 What is the Cost of Cruising? Costs that Are Reduced Costs that Increase CHAPTER 39 Employment while Cruising Legal Aspects Boat Work Chartering yacht Deliveries Writing and Photography Miscellaneous CHAPTER 40 Wrap-Up APPENDICES 1Yacht Surveys 2Determining Electric Cable Size for Various Runs 3Ham Radio Maritime Mobile Nets for Cruising Sailors 4Voice Radio Procedures 5Methods for Correcting Compass deviation 6Adhesive Sealants 7Onboard Tools 8Spares and Spare Parts 9Liferaft and Emergency Bag Supplies 10Procedures for Contact with SAR Helicopters 11Sample Checklists for Departures and Arrivals 12Tables and Conversions 13Useful Addresses 14Sailing Aid Publications REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDED READING INDEX
Oprawa twarda, obwoluta. 468 stron. Format 260x180 mm ISBN 0-7136-6225-5