The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat Author:John Vigor Most owners of cruising sailboats wonder whether their boats are suitable for an offshore passage, be it across the Gulf of Maine or the Pacific Ocean, and if not, whether they can be made suitable. This preoccupation arises partly from a latent spirit of adventure and partly from the desire for a seaworthy boat. We all want to believe that our ... more »boats can go anywhere and stand more of a beating from wind and waves than we can. Who knows when we might get caught out in the open by bad weather? It's enough to worry about our own responses without also having to suspect that the boat is fundamentally unsafe. Similarly, every potential buyer of a cruising sailboat is told that the boat is capable of sailing around the world. It's very difficult to get good advice and trustworthy facts, and that's where this book comes in. Focusing on production fiberglass cruising sailboats, the book explains, feature by feature, what makes a seaworthy boat. The book leads with an interactive questionnaire that tells the reader whether his/her boat possesses enough of the fundamental design/construction attributes of seaworthiness to make it a worthy candidate for offshore sailing. Having established whether the goal is achievable, Vigor then tells the reader how to get there, covering structural modifications and reinforcements as well as rigging, fittings, engine, systems, and gear. The final chapter outlines techniques for handling a boat at sea in adverse conditions, including heavy weather. This book will interest every owner and potential buyer of a cruising sailboat.« less