With aspirations of sailing across the Pacific Ocean and
between South Pacific Islands
we decided that
some education might be in order :-)
May 2005
I purchased
Nigel Calder's "Cruising Handbook". This book has a wealth of information for
anyone who is contemplating cruising. There are well written sections on
everything from boat design and mechanical systems to dealing with injury and
illness. I highly recommend it.
June
2005
I complete the USCG Auxiliary class
"Americas Boating Class". Parts of the class were so basic it seemed like a
waste of time but other parts of the class were informative and worth the time.
July
2005
Claudia buys me
"Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship". Wow, what a great reference book and it is
huge. Whenever I have a question I get it out and read a chapter or two.
November 2005
Claudia
and I complete our first US Sailing certification, Basic Sailing, at USMC
Camp Pendleton.
December 2005
Claudia completes the USCG Auxiliary
class "Boating Skills & Seamanship"
receiving her NASBLA certificate.
January
2006
Nigel Calders "Boatowners Mechanical and
Electrical Manual" is the best book so far. It answered
MANY questions and is worth
every penny. Includes very detailed information on boat systems, different
system strategies,
pros and cons, and maintenance. This is a must-have book for any boat owner and
especially those contemplating cruising.
February
2006
"When There is No Doctor" is packed with
good stuff but it's not for the squeamish! Lots of good information on parasites
and illnesses we don't routinely encounter in suburban life but are common in
the jungles and tropics.
February
2006
"Wilderness Medicine" gives lots of
alternative treatments so you can use the items and medicines available when the
accident or illness occurs. It also goes into Medical Kits for those off the
beaten path including over-the-counter items to prescription drugs one might
want to carry.
April/May 2006
"Maiden Voyage" A biography of Tania Aebi who at 18, and with very little
sailing experience, set off in a 26' boat to circumnavigate the world alone.
Great reading with lots of experiences from her two and a half year adventure.
May
2006
Claudia and I are called up from the
waiting list to take the Basic Keelboat and Offshore Cruising classes at USMC-CS
Camp Pendleton. Claudia was free so she took the classes and passed them.
May
2006
The AARL's "HF Digital" Handbook has a
good sections on "Airmail" which is e-mail over the HF Ham Bands, "WinLink
2000", "Pactor" and other protocols used to transmit digital information
over amateur radio bands.
