Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 65th Edition (Chapman Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling)

• #32 in Best Sailing Books

22 Reviews

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I don't know how you can make a more comprehensive book about boating.

I'm new to boating, and I've been asking questions of everyone I meet at the marina and at the stores. When I received this book, I read for an hour and found answers to everything I wanted. If I didn't recognize a term, phrase, or technique I read in the book, I didn't have to leave the book to find it.

Knots? It's in here; and it's the most approachable guide I've read. Safety equipment and how to use it? Everything you need to know is here. There's a great chapter on maneuvering, focusing on all the scary bits: at the marina and docking, including casting off and coming back in. The book even includes a section on using ropes and power to turn in tight quarters.

Trailering and sailboating are treated clearly, though sailing coverage might be a little light -- I'm a power boater and can't say.

The book is continually revised and is incredbily current. There's a chapter on advanced marine electronics, including all the new plotters and GPS systems, and the upcoming radio features. The book doesn't neglect the basics; there's a 40-page chapter on compasses, and plenty of information on observing weather, charting, and navigation.

There are colour illustrations throughout, a great index, and a good glossary. Unfortuantely, there are also typographical errors and formatting problems here and there, too. Sometimes, they're enough to make the material confusing or inaccurate.

This volume is giant and a bit intimidating, and you probably can't bring it aboard with you. You can't read it in bed, either.

If you own a boat, even if you're experienced, I'm sure you can use a copy of this book for reference. If you're new to boating, like I am, you'll have great use for the book and its contents. If you don't own a boat yet, you should buy one before you go to the boat show or the dealership; you'll learn more than your salesman probably knows!

This was the required text in my USCG 6 Pax class. And with good reason. I cannot add to the other reviews, only that any respectable school will use this text. One of the few times I felt I got my money's worth, and then some. A READABLE textbook I will keep & refer to over and over again. There is SO much Cool stuff in this book. Like learning how to drive all over again.

Good book, just wish they would update some of the pictures and information. But otherwise, it's a great basic book for new boaters.

I just received a copy of the 63rd edition of this book and to my big disappointment, I realized that the author(s) had no interests in multihulls. This is surprising to me as so much cruising is now done on sailing catamarans. Must say, the book is really good and detailed, if only it was discussing catamarans specifics.
I put 1 star because for a book with the ambition to be the answer to all questions of seamanship and 63 editions, it just is not acceptable.

This book Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 65th Edition (Chapman Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling) was recommended to us when we bought our first boat some 14 years ago, and has become a bible for boating to us. We've given it ever since to good friends in need of some fundamental boating instruction, and they all love it. Not all information might be useful for everybody, but everybody will find some valuable information for their specific boating needs and skills.
It's fun to read, easy to understand and extremely informative. Two thumbs up!

This is the book all new boat owners should be obliged to have. I bought an earlier version in 1978 when I got my first boat and bought this for my son-in-law on the occasion of his first boat purchase. The book covers every conceivable skill required for safe boating, be it sail or power. Everything from knots to rules of the road to approaching docks to securing in slips to weather to navigation to compass compensation, etc. etc.

Hands down the finest manual on all aspects of power and sail I have seen or used. The last edtion I purchased was about 1980 (50th or so). So much has improvaed and all is both current and relavant must have info for all that ply water with any craft. One can not boat in any form without this manual- its a must have document!

I bought this for my son who recently bought his first boat--a small power boat with an inboard/outdrive. This book is a must have, must read compilation of the world of yachting covering seamanship, knots, navigation, rules of the road, weather and much more. I studied it carefully years ago in preparation for my Master's License in the Caribbean which I passed on the first try. I still have my original copy, worn and saltwater-stained, a 1969-70 edition.

Anyone that has or is planning on getting a boat should be required to read
through this text. It may save lives. It will add to your enjoyment of
boating by teaching you about seamanship. A must read for any one who will
be on the water for recreational purposes.

As expected, this 65th edition is an updated version of the tried-and-true Chapman's. The photos and examples are current, and the plain language is easy to read and understand. It would be nice if everyone on the water had a good look at this book before untying and heading out onto the water. If you're a rag-head (or and aspiring one), supplementing this book with the Annapolis Book of Seamanship for a deeper dive into sailing-related detail is a really good idea.

My son needed this book for his college class. It was cheaper than the bookstore.

My sailing instructor told me this book is required reading for anyone who owns a boat, in his opinion. At 900+ pages, this is not a page-turner but rather a reference volume you go back to again and again.

Chapman is like "sailor's crack." Once you start thumbing through its well-illustrated pages, you're hooked.

Gave as a Christmas gift to new boat owner. A must have for all boaters!

Chapmans has been the essential reference book for
many years in regards to anything nautical.
I don't leave the dock without it.

My husband ordered this book for his brother who recently purchased a boat. Being a Jr. Navigator in the Power Squadron, he knows how important it is to operate a boat responsibly. He still references his original Chapmans after many years of boating. My husband wanted his brother to have a new edition, so I used my 1 click to order the book. Amazon mailed it directly to my brother in law in Alabama and it took less than a week.

We love Amazon!

Brenda Self
Jacksonville, Fl

This is a very large and complete manual for looking up various subjects. Full color, nice text good size pages and easy to understand. I saved half the store price buying it on Amazon. If you don't like it you can always use it for an anchor.

The "Boaters Bible" at the best price available ! Amazon repeatedly has delivered SOONER than the estimated time--others could learn from this company.

This book is great and it was in excellent condition, better than I had anticipated and I received it faster than promised.

I have been sailing for 20 years and I still go back to this book for info. I have the 1990 edition. I offer the last edition to the new owner of my boat and I saw that it improved and expend the info for sailboat. If you have to have one book onboard, this is the one.

This book is everything it's says and more. I've read it cover to cover and am on the second run through! So much information I plan on keeping it as a reference guide for all my sailing questions.

Every serious boater should have a copy of Chapman's on his or her desk. Incredible detail and in-depth material make this not only an excellent reference tome but also an informative read. Use as a reference or pick a chapter at random to brush up on your skills.

All boaters should have this reference guide in their library. This book is so thorough, it's even required reading for some U.S. Coast Guard classes.