Today’s electronic navigation tools make voyaging easier and more convenient, but they are not infallible. Good seamanship still depends on fundamental, time-tested skills that will keep you safe when equipment fails or conditions change. The books highlighted below offer practical guidance for boaters who want to strengthen their basic navigation knowledge, tackle restoration projects, or plan cruising adventures, particularly in Cuba’s appealing waters.
Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen — Preserving Core Navigation Skills
Traditional navigation remains a hallmark of prudent seamanship, and Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen by Mary Blewitt — updated and revised by Andy Du Port, former editor of Reeds Nautical Almanac and retired commodore of the Royal Navy — is a clear, modern guide to those skills. The 13th edition combines practical examples, helpful diagrams and step-by-step guidance on the theory and practice of celestial navigation.
Whether you’re a novice learning the basics or an experienced mariner refreshing long-unused techniques, this book explains how to use celestial observations as a reliable backup to electronic systems. It covers the principles that underlie sight reduction and position fixing using celestial bodies, the kinds of instruments commonly used at sea, and how to interpret charts and almanacs. Grounding yourself in these fundamentals gives you confidence when GPS, chartplotters or other electronics are unavailable or unreliable.
Practical, clearly written and oriented toward real-world use, the book is designed to be approachable for recreational sailors while still thorough enough for those seeking to refine their navigation skills. (Bloomsbury, $17)
Fiberglass Boat Restoration — Planning and Practical Advice for DIY Projects
Fiberglass Boat Restoration by Capt. Wayne Canning is a valuable resource for anyone contemplating a do-it-yourself boat restoration. Canning, a master boatbuilder and repairer, emphasizes careful planning and staged execution rather than diving in and tearing a boat apart. His approach helps prevent overwhelm and keeps projects on schedule and within budget.
The book walks readers through how to evaluate a potential project boat, identify common problem areas, and prioritize repairs. It includes guidance on planning the workflow, estimating costs, and breaking a restoration into manageable phases so you can work efficiently and safely. While the focus is on fiberglass construction, many of the principles — structural assessment, hull repair techniques, systems upgrades, finishing and routine maintenance — apply to boats built from other materials as well.
For hands-on boat owners, the book is useful as both a reference and a planning tool, helping you anticipate challenges and make informed decisions about whether to tackle particular repairs yourself or hire specialists. (Seahorse Publishing, $17)
Waterway Guide Cuba — Practical Cruising Information for Visiting Boaters
As travel restrictions have eased, Cuba has become an attractive destination for many American cruisers. Waterway Guide Cuba, updated for 2017, is written from a boater’s perspective and provides detailed, mile-by-mile navigation information for those planning a visit. The guide includes marina listings, GPS waypoints, recommended anchorages, and practical advice for going ashore, along with color photographs of waterways, ports and local attractions.
Designed to make trip planning and on-the-water navigation simpler, the guide helps you understand what to expect in the island’s cruising areas, where to find sheltered anchorages and marinas, and how to approach visits to ports and coastal towns. Readers will appreciate its practical orientation: it’s intended to be a hands-on resource that supports safe, enjoyable cruising while allowing you to explore Cuba’s pristine waters, white-sand beaches and historic coastal communities.
Whether you’re plotting a short coastal cruise or a longer exploration of the island’s harbors, a dedicated waterway guide tailored to Cuba can reduce uncertainty and enhance your enjoyment of the trip. (Waterway Guide, $60)
This article originally appeared in the July 2017 issue.