Offshore Sailing: 200 Essential Passagemaking Tips

• #27 in Best Sailing Books

22 Reviews

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Ever slap your head and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, there's a good chance Bill Seifert has figured it out and the answer is in this book. But don't misunderstand - this book is not just clever, it's practical, and although the title says "offshore" don't be fooled. The advise here is for all of us, from day sailor to coastal cruiser to offshore explorer. These tips will not only make you a better, safer sailor, they will increase your enjoyment. For example, by following Bill's advise on spring lines and docking I have substantially reduced frustration and tension. And don't leave this book at home! There are 10 pages of recipes from one of the world's best offshore gastronomes.

I rarely bother to write reviews, but I have to add my kudos to the others given here. There is a down-to-earth pragmatism in these pages that I haven't found anywhere else. The authors have condensed an extraordinary amount of experience into 200 very succinct tips that cover a broad range of subjects. Many of their suggestions are low tech and can be easily implemented yourself. They have been there, done that and it shows. I am putting this one right next to Dashew, Calder, Sutphen and Leonard to fill in the blanks.

Having a copy of this book is the next best thing to actually having Bill aboard. I have had the privilege of knowing and sailing with Bill for over 12 years. While I had sailed all my life, I had never done any offshore work until after I met Bill. His teaching prepared me and my family for the satisfying challenges of offshore sailing. He has sailed with me on 4 Marion-Bermuda races including the 2001 race in which we were first in Class A, and 2nd(by one minute) on elapsed time. He is an excllent teacher and a resourceful boat keeper. He is also an outstanding offshore gourmet cook.(That is another story, maybe even a book.) Many of the tips in this book were generated by his experiences on my Alden 50 cutter, Despedida and on her successor, a new Alden 54 cutter. I would not go offshore without having read this book and having it aboard. With this book, all aspiring to sail offshore, can have Bill aboard.

Bill Seifert delivers a lifetime of extremely practical sailing advice in an easy-to-read format. I have made it a habit to read one tip each night and that time has been extremely valuable. Bill is very focused on safe sailing and I'll feel better equipped as I pull away from my slip this spring for having read his work. It is sprinkled with great bits of humor that keep you reading!

Dave Bohl

This book looks disappointing at first because it is a thin expensive hardcover, but it is worth the money. There is very little fluff and the content is well structured and to the point. It covers most things necessary to prepare your boat for offshore sailing including tool lists, weight distribution, polars and VMG, secants and many other useful tips. Lots of pictures, tables and diagrams.

Offshore Sailing: 200 Essential Passagemaking Tips by yachting expert Bill Seifert is a highly practical guidebook, written by a veteran sailor with 30 years of experience and 100,000 offshore miles to his credit. From boat design and safety, including electrical components and mechanical systems, to navigation to at-sea cooking tips, Offshore Sailing has tips, tricks, and techniques for sailors of all skill levels. Written in a warm, friendly, personable manner yet packed with critical and professional know-how, and with the assistance of Daniel Spurr (editor of "Practical Sailor" for twelve years), Seifert's Offshore Sailing is truly a first-rate, "user friendly", core reference for any sailing person's library.

Although the title of the book indicates the 200 tips are for passagemaking, don't be fooled. Many of the the ideas presented are just as applicable for costal cruising, or even day sailing.
The author has obviously spent most of his life messing around in boats. The result is a ton of highly practical, useful bits and pieces of information Seifert has acquired through actual experience, some good, some not so good. This is a book that should be kept on board, read several times, and retained as reference material.

When dealing with the myriad systems and materials on a sailboat, there's no substitute for experience. And no one has more experience than Bill Seifert. His generosity with his knowledge combined with his humor and writing ability make this book essential reading for anyone who sails. Any passage will be more fun and safe if you take Seifert along with you.

Bill Seifert has truly succeeded in identifying and presenting solutions to the offshore yachtsmen's biggest issues. The age-old problem is how to transfer the "great sea-captains" knowledge of the past to the offshore hopeful. Bill succeeds in both words and photo's without the usual noise associated with "how to" books.
Anyone who is thinking of exploring the world away from land should commit this book to memory.

This is a very comprehensive book explaining what you need to know about offshore sailing.

I recommend this book to all novices and many experienced offshore sailors to prepare for the unexpected problems that you need to address or avoid especially when you are so exposed to the extremes of nature, and completely disconnected from any immediate help. Lots of good lessons learned and references.
Chris C.

Outstanding..This book answers many of the questions that have been bothering me. Well worth the first read and as a reference.

So many ideas, most will save you time, some safety tips could save your life.

It would be foolish to think about seriously sailing or cruising without taking Bill Seifert's learned counsel!!

Yes, there is a lot of valuable info there. Yes, author is one of those ultra smart skippers.
The book was written in horible style of humor. It was hard to read. All noobs and starters, even boat ovners are great topic to make a laugh. Everybody is dummy except author. I found it abusive. I definately woun`t sail with him and will have to push myself to finish this book.

Sorry, but that`s the truth.

Having read most of the larger tomes on offshore sailing and passagemaking, I wondered what this author could offer to add to the knowledge base. While some of his tips are not quite unique, they all are presented in a clear and concise manner which makes it easy to decide which tips are of value to you and your boat. My only regret is that the book is monohull-centric, without any tips specific to cruising catamarans. Nevertheless, most of his suggestions are universal to cruising boats, including coastal cruisers, and I've added many of them to the ongoing upgrade list for my Leopard 42. This is a easily carried reference book that I will share when I crew on a friend's boat for an upcoming Pacific crossing.

I have previously spent a year living aboard a Hans Christian 38 on the west coast and in the Sea of Crortez. The sailing bug has hit me again and plan to get out again in a few years. This book rekindled knowledge that I already believed in and offered insights that I wish that I had had before. A true joy to read.

Awesome book with 200 great tips to keep you safe at sea and your sailing with a minimum of problems. Will make this my cruising, and sailing bible.

If you go offshore, even as casual crew, you need to have read this book. Its primary value is the incredible knowledge Seifert has on boat construction. You will see discussions of why it is not a good idea to put tape on stainless steel, why you should never mix steel and aluminum in fittings, how to properly crimp an electrical wire connector, etc. It will come with a very clear discussion of what bad thing will happen if you ignore the advice, and it is straightforward enough that you will do what he says, and know that you are better for it.

Don't own a boat? So what are you going to do when the boat you are on has problems? Note there was no 'if' in the previous sentence. Read this book first.

At one point Seifert made his living as what would now be called a 'Technical Writer'. I happen to admire that breed, and his experience comes through in the clarity of his discussion. This is a thin book, it is not an incomplete book.

After four transatlantic passages on our 46' sloop and many thousands of miles coastal cruising, we read this book and were amazed at all the wonderful tips and suggestions presented in a very comprehensive manner. A definite treasure for any serious cruiser.

I've been a boater all of my life, a sailor for the last 20 years, boat owner for 15 years, racer for the last 7 years and I'm ready to take my boat off shore to do the Newport to Bermuda race. For a costal racer there is a tremendious amount of boat preperation and this book has been my most helpful resource, lot's of great thought staters and direct solutions you can apply immediately without spending huge money. There answeres to questions I hadn't thought of yet and it was an entertaining quick read. I'm reading it for the 2nd time now and then will pass it among crew. I feel confident that you will agree that Bill Seiffert has been there and done that and can keep it from happening to you. Must have for any do it yourself sailor looking to prepare for an open water passage.

THis book has the most concise, complete and useful presentation I have seen on preparing a sailing boat for offshore passagemaking.