Dick Posts: 442 6 hours ago

Dick Posts: 442 Hi OCC members I have noticed, in my casual talking and consulting with young and newbie cruisers, how few of them read books. Many refer to u-tube articles as a source of their information. What little I know scares me as I get asked about stuff gleaned from the internet that is clearly inaccurate and sometimes dangerous. An example I do have first-hand was when Practical Sailor (an American well-thought-of print publication where I was 30+ years a subscriber and learned a great deal) went digital and had a “talking head” give lectures in lieu of articles. An early “article” was on the setting up of a preventer and his advice was sometimes just wrong and overall was dangerous. And completely delivered sounding like he had been-there-done-that and really knew what he was talking about. Scary. I hung on for a few months and then terminated my subscription. I envy those who grew up with “salt water coursing through their veins”: but I was not one of them. I am self-taught, but I did not feel alone. I devoured books on the subject and considered many authors my mentors. I learned a great deal from the books I read. 25 years ago, we sold the house and cars and moved aboard: pretty much a “burned bridge” approach. Once the house was sold, we gave an agent the keys and she took care of selling the insides. It was harsh (my tools went into storage, but little else), but there are only 2 items I occasionally miss: my cruising/sailing books (maybe close to 100 books or more) and my vinyl record collection (including 14 inches of Grateful Dead albums) I am interested in developing a suggested reading list of books that are considered essential reading. I tend to think in categories such as: inspirational, practical, destination/voyages, humor, history, safety, survival, design, sails, scantlings, etc. I would clearly also appreciate everyone’s suggestions. If this ends up with a list, I will of course post it on the Forum. Thanks, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy -- Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

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