Description:If you are a sail- or powerboat owner who wants a quick-reference, how-to guide to coastal and inland cruising, this practical and down-to-earth advice is for you. Longtime cruisers Zora and David Aiken outline and dissect every situation you are likely to encounter while taking day trips and doing coastal cruising. They cover everything you need to get started: Reading and understanding charts; Plotting a course; Anchoring and docking safely; Negotiating traffic; Watching the weather; Communicating with boats and shore; Avoiding hazards, and much more. The book presents the basics first, followed by hard-to-come-by nuggets of wisdom and invaluable hints and tips, making it simple to find answers quickly or obtain in-depth information if needed. Tightly focused and utterly noninimidating, this is the most practical and accessible guide for the vast majority of everyday cruising boaters.