Why we are who we are

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
I get sent a lot of books which get sorted into three piles: give-aways, keepers that’ll likely go unread, and prospects. The prospect pile is ready for vacations, and I’m glad I had Doug Logan’s BoatSense on a recent cruising adventure. I don’t know how long it had been waiting for me, but the wait was worth it.

Doug is immensely knowledgeable but equally adept at realizing how his way is his way, and perhaps not the only way. He is a humble educator through the 115 pages of what is subtitled, “Lessons and yarns from a marine writer’s life afloat.”

Doug is a career marine author and editor, and what he shares in this book is the obvious and not so obvious about boating, reminding the lifetime boater about our addiction, while enlightening what lay ahead for the newcomer. Boaters invariably have stories, and Doug shares his in this enjoyable read.

What others had to say:
“Good sense and good boats have rarely been so clear and entertaining.” – John Rousmaniere
“… both fun to read and educational.” – Ed Sherman
“Warm, accessible, and wickedly smart.” – Nathaniel Philbrick

Here’s an excerpt:
“A lot of the fun in boating has to do with the stories you collect, and you can’t have a good collection of stories without some maintenance adventures. But maintenance yarns are really boring if you don’t do your own work.

“’We were in the middle of the channel and the engine died. We got a tow in. Then I called the mechanic.’

“Is that a good story? No, that’s a boring story. But I could tell you a story about changing a joker valve while heeled over offshore in rough weather that would make you laugh and cry and throw up all at the same time.”

Good times, right? This book was, and is the perfect gift to the new boat owner, or the old boat owner that needs to be reminded why they are who they are. For information on the book, click here.