This is the authority on the features and equipment that belong and those that don't belong in a cruising sailboat. Rarely before has a book on sailing drawn upon as much experience and knowledge as these authors provide. Between them, they have been sailing for some 850 years, have covered more than 750,000 miles offshore, the equivalent of 30 circuits of the globe, and have owned 43 cruising sailboats. Writing for sailors of cruising boats of all sizes and types, the authors cover just about every aspect of preparing to go to sea in a modern boat: characteristics of safe boats for blue-water cruising; latest developments in hardware, construction and sails; dimensions of proper sea-going bunks, chart tables and cockpits; lists of sails, emergency gear, and electronic instruments for different types of boats and sailing; ways to improve your boat's ventilation and refrigeration; checklists of gear and medical equipment...and much more.