From Dock to Page
Fresh reads from Boaters of the Southeast and beyond.
Sailing the Shallows by Roger Barnes
Sailing the Shallows, Roger Barnes’ new book debuting this month is “a beautifully written and illustrated manifesto for a simpler style of sailing, exploring the coastline in a small boat.” Filled with useful advice and techniques, this book combines lyrical writing with simple and practical wisdom on sailing a small boat — a combination that has been much admired since his first book, The Dinghy Cruising Companion.
Barnes describes a series of sea passages in small boats in UK, French and Italian waters, with each chapter highlighting a particular technique of coastal sailing or wilderness camping. He weaves practical instruction seamlessly into the narrative and accompanies his tales with a series of exquisite hand-drawn illustrations of the places visited, events described, or details of his boat Avel Dro. Overall Barnes describes through the course of the book the antidote to the complexity and ostentation of contemporary yachting, and argues for a different attitude for living — plain, direct and at one with nature.
Weather Basics for Boaters by Carolyn Shearlock
Just released this summer, Weather Basics for Boaters is a practical, easy-to-understand guide to making better decisions on the water — using the forecasts and apps you're already familiar with. With over 17 years of liveaboard experience, author Carolyn Shearlock knows how hard it is to figure out what forecasts actually mean for boaters.
Most resources focus on meteorology or how to build your own forecast — when in reality, great forecasts already exist, created by professionals. What’s missing is clear guidance on how to use those forecasts, apps, and tools to make safer, more comfortable decisions. This book fills that gap. In just 110 focused pages, with large 7x10 formatting and full-color screenshots, you'll get step-by-step guidance you can start using right away — no fluff, no jargon, no prior knowledge required.
Young Salt at Sixty by Deborah Hammett
Why settle for ordinary when you can make your retirement epic? This is your time to embrace adventure, push boundaries, and live your boldest dreams. For Deborah Hammett, that dream didn’t reveal itself until after she retired from teaching on Martha’s Vineyard. Only then did she set her sights on an audacious new chapter — becoming a sailor. With her sharp wit and seasoned teaching skills, she not only masters the art of sailing but also guides and inspires fellow adventurers of all ages.
If you are interested in sailing, or in making a significant lifestyle change in retirement, you must read Young Salt at Sixty. Join Deborah on her remarkable solo voyage from New England to the Southern Bahamas and back. Along the way, she conquers fears, navigates unexpected challenges, and reexamines long-held beliefs. Her journey is more than a sailing expedition — it’s a testament to the power of reinvention and the limitless possibilities that await when you dare to chase the horizon.
To check out these books and more, check out the Year End issue of Southeast Scuttlebutt!