Best Whitewater Kayaking
Erik Weihenmayer is the first and only blind person to summit Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. No Barriers is Erik’s response to that challenge. Erik Weihenmayer is a bestselling author, athlete, adventurer, and motivational speaker.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon""No Barriers" begins immediately after his successful summit of Mount Everest in 2001, and he weaves his adventures, humanitarian and philanthropic activities through to his and Lonnie Bedwell ("the other blind guy")'s perception shattering kayak adventure down the Grand Canyon."
"I've known Erik personally since 2002, and it still blows me away what an awesome journey he's on."
"An entertaining, enlightening & motivational book!"
"An amazing story about an amazing man."
"Can't write a review just yet."
"Fascinating story..great read for teens...and parents."
"The preamble, as I'm calling it, is all about Weihenmayer's adventures and endeavors leading up to the kayaking trip, and he's done some pretty amazing stuff: not only is a climber and adventurer (yes, he summited Everest), but the first couple hundred pages of the book recount how he lost his sight, the various non-profit organizations he's been part of helping kids, and also his own journey to adopt a child from South Asia. He always works with a well qualified team of folks who help him out a bit, and his honesty about this is compelling. NOTE: While the review copy of this book that I read (pre-publication) did not have pictures, I'm guessing that the final version that comes out in early 2017 will have some illustrations. The pics I've attached to this review are available online and illustrate Weihenmayer style and charisma."
"So to read about his very human struggles, feelings, reactions and behaviors made me feel like I now understand him. I read it on my kindle, but if I had been reading a hard copy it would be covered with highlights and post it notes."
Author/Illustrator Todd Bradshaw has an obvious addiction to canoes, although you can easily apply the principles, concepts, and detailed sail plans to any hull that strikes your fancy. Or if you are contemplating a leeboard, adding an ama, or just want a resource of ideas for a variety of ways to steer a boat, then take a look at Canoe Rig. He and his wife, Marite, make their home in Madison, Wisconsin, where Todd builds sails for a living under his shingle Addiction Sailmakers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"After 55 yrs of small boat sailing I thought I knew a lot however I learned a lot from this book."
"This is an awesome book for those interested in canoe sailing or any type of small boat sailing."
"I read the whole book in a couple of sittings."
"Instead it is a canoe completion book full of all the details forgotten in boat building kits or plans."
"After having completed a canoe trip in the Everglades, with one day's leg shortened considerably by the use of a hammock to catch the wind and give us a break from paddling, my brother and I wanted a better way."
"Can't wait to apply some of these new sail types discussed."
"This would make a good coffee table book just because of all of the beautiful drawings of sailing canoes."
"For example based on his advice I contacted the Oregon State Marine Board and learned that I needed to "title' and "register" my sailing canoe."
Detailed locator maps and instructions on safety are included, as well as appendices on equipment, map sources, and a useful route comparison chart for selecting the right trip level for any paddler. "Four veteran guides and explorers of the Evergreen State's waterways have compiled a remarkably comprehensive new guide to paddling the state's rivers and lakes; copiously illustrated with charts, maps and photographs."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Very helpful book."
"Just what I was looking for, for paddling some of the rivers of western Washington!"
"So far so good."
"It is a conglomeration of three different guides."
"Very thorough review of the flatwater & whitewater bodies of water in Washington."
"Having done two of the routes described in this book (Ross Lake and the Yakima River Canyon), I have mixed feelings: On one hand, there is a lot of useful information in this book (e.g. which sections of which rivers are most suitable for paddling, and at what water levels)."
Best Sea Kayaking
If it's on a boat and it has screws, wires, or moving parts, it's covered in Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual . When you leave the dock with this book aboard, you have at your fingertips the best and most comprehensive advice on: Battery technologies 12- and 24-volt DC systems Corrosion, bonding, and lightning protection Generators, inverters, and battery chargers Electric motors and electric lights Marine electronics, antennas, and RFI Diesel engines Transmissions, shaft brakes, and propellers Refrigeration and air-conditioning Tanks, plumbing, and through-hulls Pumps and watermakers Steering, autopilots, and wind vanes Stoves and heaters Winches, windlasses, and bow thrusters Spars, rigging, and roller reefing. "If you had to choose a single book to help you assess and maintain your boat gear, this would be it. "This manual will be of lasting interest to anyone who wants to know how their boat works, what has gone wrong when it doesn't, and how it could be fixed. "Without becoming too complex, the book covers almost every imaginable mechanical or electrical matter in the marine environment. is practical solutions to problems associated with increasingly complex marine systems.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you buy only one boaters book...MAKE IT THIS BOOK!"
"Must have for important information, suggestions, and knowledge to assist with proper maintaining of ones boat."
"We have owned and enjoyed a homebuilt wooden 17' catboat for 8 years with very minimal systems to maintain (outboard 5HP, 12V for running lights/accessories, bilge pump, and 1 marine battery)."
"I now own my own older sail yacht and so I am reading this cover to cover, highlighting, rereading, and then going through my boat with the knowledge gained."
"This book provided me with more than I had hoped for and enlightened me to things I didn't know existed but will be very useful to me in my 3 year remodel/upgrade for my old power boat for a fantasy vacation when completed."
"I would reccomend this book to anyone who isn't afraid to take on tough jobs on their boat and wants to fully understand how everything works."
"Lots of ideas are presented to help prepare for remodels or just doing something for the first time."