The Atlantic 
Handling Storms at Sea     
Sailor’s 
by Hal Roth
Handbook    
by Alastair Buchan
MUST
BUY!
I still have one of Hal Roth’s early book ‘After 50,000 Miles’ published in 1977 and
still dig into it from time to time when I want some advice or a second opinion from
which to form my own. Since publishing that landmark book he has now sailed
over 200,000 miles and is still writing and sharing his hard earned knowledge. This
This ease to access book is based
book provides a logical and coherent analysis of storms and outlines a five point
on the authors’ personal experience
gale strategy. Unlike many books he does not just set out his view, he discusses
of sailing an Atlantic Circuit. He tries
his personal experience and that of fellow sailors and why he has established his
to put into simple and straightforward
strategy. He has a five point plan in ascending order depending on the severity of
words his and others hard learned
the storm:
lessons to ensure that those setting
off are well advised of the pitfalls that
• Deep reefs in the mainsail; a smaller headsail
may trip a prospective voyager along
• Heave to
the way. The advice ranges from
• Lia a hull
choosing a boat, selecting and training
• Run off
crew, route planning, watch keeping,
• Employ a parachute sea anchor from the bow or a drogue or drag device from
heavy weather strategies and disaster
the stern.
management.
It is all logical, straightforward stuff. Hal writes from the deck of a ballasted,
The book has lots of diagrams, lists,
monohull yacht and this book is aimed at those who sail similar boats, however
images and checklists and should help
there is much in this book for any who go to sea be it a powerboat or a multihull.
anyone who proposes an ocean circuit.
The underlying message is that with preparation, some equipment, a sound
A really good book!
boat and with a little luck every sensibly handled boat should pull through. The
beauty of this book is that it provided us with a discussion of how to handle heavy
Published by Adlard Coles Nautical
weather, options, equipment and advice that can be stored away and used when
at £19.99 - www.adlardcoles.com
we next face it. This book is well worth tucking away and reading from cover to
ISBN 978 14081 00110
cover.
Published by Adlard Coles Nautical at £19.99 – www.adlardcoles.com
ISBN 978 14081 13486
  OCTOBER 2009 : MULTIHULL REVIEW  41
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