Fast Powerboat Seamanship: The Complete Guide to Boat Handling, Navigation, and Safety

By Dag Pike

Book Overview

In Fast Powerboat Seamanship , one of the world s leading authorities on high-speed piloting and navigation shows you how to operate any fast boat for maximum thrill at minimum risk. Dag Pike describes the effects of hull design on performance and gives you a better understanding of how your boat is built. He explains how fast boats respond under a variety of conditions, and he walks you through everything you need to know about engines, propulsion systems, trim tabs, and the other controls that give you complete command of your craft. Pike provides a step-by-step tutorial in the techniques of fast-boat driving and spells out the measures you can take to ensure comfort and safety for yourself and your passengers. He also explores the things you need to know about the sea itself: how waves are generated, how they move, and how to assess and adjust to changing conditions on the water. You ll learn how to adapt to the faster pace of events at 25 to 100 knots; navigate at high speed; and control a high-speed turn. You ll also learn techniques for avoiding collisions, operating in extreme weather, and much more. The better you understand your boat and how to control it, the greater the pleasure you will get from high-performance boating. Fast Powerboat Seamanship is the source for the specialized knowledge and skills you need to get the most out of any fast boat."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071422099
• ISBN13: 9780071422093
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

A fisherman and boat enthusiast's review

Having been around boats since a wee lad with countless white knuckle fishing trips, in sometimes frightening conditions, off the east coast from Key West to Cape Hatteras......I've learned many of the techniques written here by experience. There are a lot of boating accidents each year that could be avoided with a basic understanding of the concepts presented herein, such as using trim correctly, running inlets, surfing waves, etc. Modern fishing boats can reach speeds of over 40 knots in 4-6 foot seas. When you land hard, the force can throw you overboard very easily or plant you into the dashboard. Without an applicable at-sea coast guard or power squadron hands-on course, this book is your best bet!

Good overview about handling and safety

This is a short book to try to cover in deep the areas mentioned in its title. In general the book is a good and serious summary. The chapter explaining the different types of hulls is very interesting. Good print, graphs and explanations, but no colour pictures.