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Author Topic:   Chapman Piloting

rsgwynn1 posted 07-10-2002 06:15 PM ET (US)
West Marine has it for $25, quite a bargain for a 650 pp. hardback with numerous color photographs. I'd always passed it up because I thought it must cost at least $50.
David Pendleton posted 07-10-2002 07:49 PM ET (US)
Occasionally, it will go below $20.00. I got mine for around $17.00.
A good deal in either case, though. Every boater should own a copy.
Dave
Backlash posted 07-10-2002 08:00 PM ET (US)
Just checked and Boat/US has it on sale for $16.99. As Dave says, a must read for every boater.
LKS posted 07-10-2002 10:17 PM ET (US)
Just wondering how frequently you all update your copy of Chapmans? I believe it's updated either every year or every other year. This post served to remind me that our copy (kept on board during the boating season) is 10+ years old. -- Lor
Dick posted 07-10-2002 10:33 PM ET (US)
I just checked mine and it is a 1979 edition. The price printed on the jacket is $13.95.
After reading the info on the jacket Charles Chapman first published the book in 1922 mine being the 57th edition means that they were published every year, at least untill 1979.
Guess it's about time to get an updated one.
triblet posted 07-11-2002 09:52 AM ET (US)
It's now published every couple of years.
It's the best (only? ;-) bargain in boating.
Chuck
DaveH posted 07-11-2002 10:55 AM ET (US)
I just want to go on record that I did not start this post ;). Very happy to see others agree. Mine is the 63rd edition (1999). I purchased a copy for a friend who bought a Hatteras 43 double cabin to live on for short while. The boat came supplied with the same edition to I donated my old copy to Goodwill and kept the new one.
By the way, the Hatteras is for sale in St Augustine (1973 model with DD 6-71N's). I might move the boat to Annapolis for him next month. Nice road trip!
Tom Hemphill posted 01-03-2010 03:53 PM ET (US)
My wife bought me the 65th Edition (copyright 2006) for me for Christmas. A very good advertised price from Hamilton Marine sparked the idea; she ended up getting it from Amazon for a little under $40.
I'm about three quarters of the way through its 900+ pages (no small feat, since I'm the sort of guy who tends to read every word). Given its legendary reputation, I'm slightly disappointed.
Some topics are repeated almost verbatim in different sections, and some topics are covered in mind-numbing technical detail (for example, compass deviation and correction). The simple, practical nuggets of information which appeal to me are often absent, and in some cases contrary to what I have learned (as in the trailer operation section).
On the plus side, the book's glossary of nautical terms is excellent; from it I learned that I have been Incorrect all these years to refer to my binocular with the plural form.
jchristopher posted 01-04-2010 11:07 AM ET (US)
I have the 1969-70 edition, 47th year, that I purchased when I took my first boating course. Is someone suggesting I should up-date?
Hilinercc posted 01-04-2010 12:50 PM ET (US)
Alot of the Chapman editions have similar text that never changes, such as dead reckoning, set and drift and most all of the other Navigational skills. But the new editions really utilize the current technologies and materials for our sport.
I have a 1962 edition (you should see the boats in that!), My Dad's 1970 edition and my own 1980 edition.
The '62 and '70 editions don't have the updated Buoyage Systems because they preceeded the 1972 COLREGS, but again, most of the text on seamanship, Marlinspike, boat handling and navigation (the old fashion way) is the same.
Its a hoot to read the earlier ones though, Radiotelephones and direction finders the size of today's dorm refrigerators, wooden hulls and flathead marine engines. Of course, Wooden Boat Maintenance was a chapter too, (That topic itself always amazed me in that one could encompass that broad subject in a chapter) We old salts certainly remember when that was the norm.
For some reason, every boater wore Khaki baggy pants with there waistline cinched up around there chest and a bus-driver's hat (apparently to emulate a Navy officer).
The women folk wore white wayefarer sunglasses, straw hats, head scarfs and shorts. Relegated to the most mundane duties. We sure have come a long way
Folks who don't own a Chapman's are best off getting the latest.
Whaler_bob posted 01-04-2010 01:40 PM ET (US)

quote:
For some reason, every boater wore Khaki baggy pants with there waistline cinched up around there chest and a bus-driver's hat (apparently to emulate a Navy officer).

When I was a kid (late 60's- early 70's) whenever we saw some boatnick wearing a navy blue blazer and or one of those silly captains hats with the gold emblem on it.... we were sure to give him a wide passage because even as kids- we knew you had to be ummmm "special" to wear one of those ridiculous get-ups.
Jefecinco posted 01-04-2010 07:18 PM ET (US)
My Chapmans went to the library several years ago, it was probably a 1979 Edition purchased at the old BOAT/US store on Pickett Street in Alexandria, VA.
I do have a 1983 edition of "The 12 Volt Doctor's Practical Handbook for the boat's electrical system" purchased from Spa Creek Instruments Co. in Annapolis. It is the enlarged edition, whatever that means. It remains a favorite reference of mine.
Butch
David Pendleton posted 01-04-2010 07:49 PM ET (US)
@Tom Hemphill, yes I think there is a fair amount of repetition, but I don't think the reference was designed to be read cover-to-cover.
I think the repetition is necessary to make each topic as complete as possible.
Chuck Tribolet posted 01-05-2010 11:55 AM ET (US)
There's a ton of good stuff in Chapman. The current low
price indicates that a new edition is coming soon. But the
delta is small (mostly new electronics) so it's a heck of a
bargain.
I didn't see anywhere my ca. 1996 Chapman advocated wearing
anything, except maybe polarized sunglasses (but I'd figured
that out years before I ever got on a boat).
If you have a boat, buy it, and read it. It would be #1 on
my reading list for a new salt water boater. Dunno about
fresh water because my whaler (almost) doesn't know what that
is.
It's been in print for 80+ years. That's a message.
I agree about giving captain's hats a wide berth.

Chuck
Buckda posted 01-05-2010 12:16 PM ET (US)
Captain's hats are good novelty items. For single guys, the prettiest girl in the boat gets to wear it.
where2 posted 01-13-2010 11:33 PM ET (US)
For the wealthier set who can afford the latest Whaler, and the latest hard cover version of Chapman's, or the not so avid reader, there's always the Chapman's School of Seamanship, in sunny Stuart Florida... Where you learn at the helm. Classes are substantially higher priced than the book, but maybe they throw in a copy of it with the classes.
pglein posted 01-15-2010 11:18 AM ET (US)
Chapman's is not meant to be a "read it cover-to-cover" book, though I do recommend doing exactly that for new boaters. Instead, it's more of a good reference to have around. When I was a kid, it lived on the coffee table at our house. I often would pick it up, flip to a random page and begin reading. It's an excellent book for that kind of thing; the only real "textbook" ever written about boating.
However, it is by no means the ultimate authority on boat handling. I would certainly defer to experience, whether it be mine, or someone else's, over the book in cases where the two do not agree.
The best reference book to keep on board, in my opinion, is the Navigation Rules; International-Inland, published by the US Coast Guard.
http://www.amazon.com/Navigation-Rules-US-Coast-Guard/dp/0939837498/ ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263572115&sr=8-1
It is the single authoritative reference for the "rules of the road", and can come in handy when you're just not sure about something. It would be nice to have a portable, electronic, searchable version of it, however. Because sometimes, finding just what you need can take time. I'd say it's better for solving arguments over dinner at anchor than making decisions while underway.
Chuck Tribolet posted 01-15-2010 09:46 PM ET (US)
Pglein: http://personal.rdu.bellsouth.net/m/c/mclejc/navrules.pdf
Chuck

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Author	Topic: Chapman Piloting
rsgwynn1	posted 07-10-2002 06:15 PM ET (US) West Marine has it for $25, quite a bargain for a 650 pp. hardback with numerous color photographs. I'd always passed it up because I thought it must cost at least $50.
David Pendleton	posted 07-10-2002 07:49 PM ET (US) Occasionally, it will go below $20.00. I got mine for around $17.00. A good deal in either case, though. Every boater should own a copy. Dave
Backlash	posted 07-10-2002 08:00 PM ET (US) Just checked and Boat/US has it on sale for $16.99. As Dave says, a must read for every boater.
LKS	posted 07-10-2002 10:17 PM ET (US) Just wondering how frequently you all update your copy of Chapmans? I believe it's updated either every year or every other year. This post served to remind me that our copy (kept on board during the boating season) is 10+ years old. -- Lor
Dick	posted 07-10-2002 10:33 PM ET (US) I just checked mine and it is a 1979 edition. The price printed on the jacket is $13.95. After reading the info on the jacket Charles Chapman first published the book in 1922 mine being the 57th edition means that they were published every year, at least untill 1979. Guess it's about time to get an updated one.
triblet	posted 07-11-2002 09:52 AM ET (US) It's now published every couple of years. It's the best (only? ;-) bargain in boating. Chuck
DaveH	posted 07-11-2002 10:55 AM ET (US) I just want to go on record that I did not start this post ;). Very happy to see others agree. Mine is the 63rd edition (1999). I purchased a copy for a friend who bought a Hatteras 43 double cabin to live on for short while. The boat came supplied with the same edition to I donated my old copy to Goodwill and kept the new one. By the way, the Hatteras is for sale in St Augustine (1973 model with DD 6-71N's). I might move the boat to Annapolis for him next month. Nice road trip!
Tom Hemphill	posted 01-03-2010 03:53 PM ET (US) My wife bought me the 65th Edition (copyright 2006) for me for Christmas. A very good advertised price from Hamilton Marine sparked the idea; she ended up getting it from Amazon for a little under $40. I'm about three quarters of the way through its 900+ pages (no small feat, since I'm the sort of guy who tends to read every word). Given its legendary reputation, I'm slightly disappointed. Some topics are repeated almost verbatim in different sections, and some topics are covered in mind-numbing technical detail (for example, compass deviation and correction). The simple, practical nuggets of information which appeal to me are often absent, and in some cases contrary to what I have learned (as in the trailer operation section). On the plus side, the book's glossary of nautical terms is excellent; from it I learned that I have been Incorrect all these years to refer to my binocular with the plural form.
jchristopher	posted 01-04-2010 11:07 AM ET (US) I have the 1969-70 edition, 47th year, that I purchased when I took my first boating course. Is someone suggesting I should up-date?
Hilinercc	posted 01-04-2010 12:50 PM ET (US) Alot of the Chapman editions have similar text that never changes, such as dead reckoning, set and drift and most all of the other Navigational skills. But the new editions really utilize the current technologies and materials for our sport. I have a 1962 edition (you should see the boats in that!), My Dad's 1970 edition and my own 1980 edition. The '62 and '70 editions don't have the updated Buoyage Systems because they preceeded the 1972 COLREGS, but again, most of the text on seamanship, Marlinspike, boat handling and navigation (the old fashion way) is the same. Its a hoot to read the earlier ones though, Radiotelephones and direction finders the size of today's dorm refrigerators, wooden hulls and flathead marine engines. Of course, Wooden Boat Maintenance was a chapter too, (That topic itself always amazed me in that one could encompass that broad subject in a chapter) We old salts certainly remember when that was the norm. For some reason, every boater wore Khaki baggy pants with there waistline cinched up around there chest and a bus-driver's hat (apparently to emulate a Navy officer). The women folk wore white wayefarer sunglasses, straw hats, head scarfs and shorts. Relegated to the most mundane duties. We sure have come a long way Folks who don't own a Chapman's are best off getting the latest.
Whaler_bob	posted 01-04-2010 01:40 PM ET (US) quote: For some reason, every boater wore Khaki baggy pants with there waistline cinched up around there chest and a bus-driver's hat (apparently to emulate a Navy officer). When I was a kid (late 60's- early 70's) whenever we saw some boatnick wearing a navy blue blazer and or one of those silly captains hats with the gold emblem on it.... we were sure to give him a wide passage because even as kids- we knew you had to be ummmm "special" to wear one of those ridiculous get-ups.
Jefecinco	posted 01-04-2010 07:18 PM ET (US) My Chapmans went to the library several years ago, it was probably a 1979 Edition purchased at the old BOAT/US store on Pickett Street in Alexandria, VA. I do have a 1983 edition of "The 12 Volt Doctor's Practical Handbook for the boat's electrical system" purchased from Spa Creek Instruments Co. in Annapolis. It is the enlarged edition, whatever that means. It remains a favorite reference of mine. Butch
David Pendleton	posted 01-04-2010 07:49 PM ET (US) @Tom Hemphill, yes I think there is a fair amount of repetition, but I don't think the reference was designed to be read cover-to-cover. I think the repetition is necessary to make each topic as complete as possible.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 01-05-2010 11:55 AM ET (US) There's a ton of good stuff in Chapman. The current low price indicates that a new edition is coming soon. But the delta is small (mostly new electronics) so it's a heck of a bargain. I didn't see anywhere my ca. 1996 Chapman advocated wearing anything, except maybe polarized sunglasses (but I'd figured that out years before I ever got on a boat). If you have a boat, buy it, and read it. It would be #1 on my reading list for a new salt water boater. Dunno about fresh water because my whaler (almost) doesn't know what that is. It's been in print for 80+ years. That's a message. I agree about giving captain's hats a wide berth. Chuck
Buckda	posted 01-05-2010 12:16 PM ET (US) Captain's hats are good novelty items. For single guys, the prettiest girl in the boat gets to wear it.
where2	posted 01-13-2010 11:33 PM ET (US) For the wealthier set who can afford the latest Whaler, and the latest hard cover version of Chapman's, or the not so avid reader, there's always the Chapman's School of Seamanship, in sunny Stuart Florida... Where you learn at the helm. Classes are substantially higher priced than the book, but maybe they throw in a copy of it with the classes.
pglein	posted 01-15-2010 11:18 AM ET (US) Chapman's is not meant to be a "read it cover-to-cover" book, though I do recommend doing exactly that for new boaters. Instead, it's more of a good reference to have around. When I was a kid, it lived on the coffee table at our house. I often would pick it up, flip to a random page and begin reading. It's an excellent book for that kind of thing; the only real "textbook" ever written about boating. However, it is by no means the ultimate authority on boat handling. I would certainly defer to experience, whether it be mine, or someone else's, over the book in cases where the two do not agree. The best reference book to keep on board, in my opinion, is the Navigation Rules; International-Inland, published by the US Coast Guard. http://www.amazon.com/Navigation-Rules-US-Coast-Guard/dp/0939837498/ ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263572115&sr=8-1 It is the single authoritative reference for the "rules of the road", and can come in handy when you're just not sure about something. It would be nice to have a portable, electronic, searchable version of it, however. Because sometimes, finding just what you need can take time. I'd say it's better for solving arguments over dinner at anchor than making decisions while underway.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 01-15-2010 09:46 PM ET (US) Pglein: http://personal.rdu.bellsouth.net/m/c/mclejc/navrules.pdf Chuck