Book Review - Complete Guide to Boating and Seamanship

Complete Guide to Boating and Seamanship by Vin T. Sparano, Universe Publishing, 2017

Summer has arrived and if you're anything like me, you're spending as much time on the water as you possibly can.  Boating novices and experts alike will benefit from this newest offering by award winning author Vin Sparano.  This paperback edition contains 336 pages of useful information and 600 color photographs that will help you navigate any type of vessel, how to make your boat safe, and bring you up to date on electronics.

Complete Guide to Boating and Seamanship is broken down into ten sections:

1. Boating Design and Construction
2. Boats for Outdoor Recreation
3. Outfitting Your Boat
4. Boating Safety and Tips
5. Fishing Basics for Boaters
6. Freshwater Game Fish
7. Saltwater Game Fish
8. Cooking Techniques
9. Survival
10. First Aid for Boaters

Chapter one covers the different types of hull design and the advantages of each.  You will learn how the materials used to build a boat affect its cost, buoyancy and durability.  Do you want a boat of fiberglass, aluminum or wood?  Learn the advantages of each in this chapter.

Let's take a look at the reasons you want a boat in chapter 2.  This chapter on Outdoor Recreation covers a wide variety of options - Are you using a boat for fishing, hunting, camping, or skiing?  Maybe you want a kayak or a canoe?  How about a paddleboard, a jet ski, wakeboard or water skis?  Chapter 2 has the best section on learning how to waterski or wakeboard that I have ever seen.  I've been an avid water skier my entire life and I was happy relieved to see that I've been doing everything correct all these years.   There are plenty of ways to spend time on the water -lets narrow it down here.

Chapter three will tell you everything you need to know about properly outfitting your boat.  I found the photos and descriptions on trimming your motor to be particularly helpful.  Inboards, outboards and trolling motors are covered.  Learn about depth sounders, marine radios, GPS devices, and anchors.  Four pages are devoted to showing you how to properly tie a multitude of knots.  All boats need a trailer and you should know how to choose one and properly maintain it.  I've been backing my husband's boat into the lake for years and even I learned a new tip on the best place to put your hand on the steering wheel when doing so.  See, I told you, something for everyone!

Chapter four covers all kinds of boating safety and tips, basic tool kits, spare parts to have on hand, safe boating procedures, and what kind of personal flotation devices you must have.  All boaters need to know how to properly handle wind, weather and water, and learning how to forecast the weather to a certain degree is always helpful. You can never be too cautious when you're on the water and other people's lives depend on the decisions you make.  Read this chapter twice for good measure.  For me, this was the most important chapter of the whole book.

The fifth chapter is all about fishing and covers the basics - reels, rods, fishing line, hooks, lures, and baits.  I thought the section on using birds to guide you to fish was really interesting.  Did you know that every species of fish has a preferred temperature zone that they like to stay in?  There is a four page chart listing different species and what their upper to lower temperature ranges are.  If you like to fish, this chapter is for you.

Chapter six covers everything you need to know about freshwater game fish and chapter seven covers saltwater fish.  There is a huge list of fish, each accompanied by a color drawing and an in-depth description about that fish, where they range, their habitat, size, what they eat, best fishing methods and the baits to use.  These two chapters are not only informative, but they are interesting as well.

So now you've gone out and caught some fish - what's next?  There is nothing quite like fresh fish for dinner and chapter eight covers all the bases.  Learn how to field dress and fillet fish, which species taste the best, how to properly use a fillet knife, and how to smoke or freeze them.  Complete with color photographs, you'll learn how to fillet a fish in no time.  Now I have a taste for a bluegill dinner.

Chapter Nine touches on the all important subject of survival.  Learn how to properly prepare a survival kit, signal for help, make a solar still for safe drinking water, and surviving the heat and cold.   One item that I was particularly interested in is the Lifestraw Personal Water Filter.  It's a 2 ounce filter that lets you drink directly from lakes and rivers like using a straw.   Chances are, you may never need to apply any of these survival tips, but it's always wise to be prepared, right?

The final chapter is really useful in all walks of life, not just when you're on the water.  First aid techniques are always good to know and you should be able to recognize and reduce internal and external bleeding, stop a nosebleed, apply a tourniquet, provide artificial respiration, and perform the Heimlich Maneuver.  There are 4 types of venomous snakes in the United States and if you spend time in the outdoors you should know how to recognize them and what to do if you've been bitten by one.  Equally important is how to deal with spiders, scorpions and ticks.  Steer clear of poison ivy, oak and sumac by looking at the drawings and find out how to relieve symptoms if you're unlucky enough to stumble through a patch.  Sunstroke, hypothermia and frostbite are all covered in detail and if you plunge a fish hook into your finger (as I have done) you can usually remove it yourself without a trip to the hospital.  Brush up on your first aid - you never know when it can come in handy.

Complete Guide to Boating and Seamanship should get you well on your way to hours of enjoyment on the water, be it river, lake or ocean.  Vin Sparano's books set the standard in excellence.  I know because I've had the pleasure of reviewing several of them and I can promise you that each one is loaded with valuable information, colorful photos, tips galore and wonderful stories.  One of my favorites from this book is how a Key West charter boat captain sacrificed  $ 2,000.00 worth of equipment in an attempt to land not one, not two, but three blue marlin at one time.  And that's no fish story.  Pick up a copy of Complete Guide to Boating and Seamanship.  I'll see you on the water!

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(I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Photo images are the property of the publisher and cannot be reproduced without consent.) 

Book Review - Complete Guide to Camping and Wilderness Survival

The Complete Guide to Camping and Wilderness Survival by Vin Sparano contains 320 pages of in-depth coverage of tents, sleeping bags, footwear, camp kitchens, tools, backpacks boating and all-terrain vehicles.  It also features over 600 color photographs and illustrations that explain techniques for any camping/wilderness survival scenario.

The Complete Guide to Camping and Wilderness Survival is a fountain of information and is the third volume in the Complete Guide series by noted author Vin Sparano, who has been an outdoor editor and writer for more than fifty years.  To say that Vin knows his stuff is an understatement!

The book is broken down into 5 sections:

• CAMPING
• BOATING FOR CAMPERS
• CAMPFIRE COOKING
• WILDERNESS SURVIVAL
• FIRST AID FOR CAMPERS AND SURVIVALISTS

Section one starts out with information on the different types of tents, as well as RV's.  It then moves on to snowmobiles and ATV's.  From there it goes in depth on camp bedding, foot gear, clothing, camp lighting and tools, backpacks, campfires, and knots.  I particularly enjoyed the "Leave no trace seven principles" page because it really drives home the importance of camp awareness and the impact made by the millions of people who spend their time in the outdoors.  I also really appreciated the section on campfires - it supplies a list of different types of wood, their heat value and ease of starting- along with illustrations of the different fire layouts you can learn to use.

Section two is full of wonderful information on boating, whether you favor a small boat, a family size boat, a kayak or a canoe.   I've been lucky enough to spend most of my life on one kind of a boat or another, so this section was really interesting to me.  When I was a kid my dad used to take our canoe out to the middle of the lake and purposely tip it over so we could swim underneath it into the air pockets.  Then he taught us how to get it tipped right side up, get back in and maneuver it to shore.  As kids this was fun to do and taught us valuable information.  The guidebook has some great illustrations on how to properly get in and out of a canoe.  Note to dad - you taught us the right way to do it!  This chapter really stresses the importance of boat safety as well as discussing Coast Guard approved equipment, personal flotation devices, and handling wind and weather conditions.  I also enjoyed learning how to forecast the weather based on conditions in the sky, watching the moon, birds, and clouds, paying attention to smells, or simply looking at leaves on the trees.

Ok, get ready to lick your lips because the section on campfire cooking will have you firing up your camp stove or the campfire.  Learn why a dutch oven is the campers best friend and the guidebook devotes one entire page to controlling the temperature of a dutch oven.  Where was this information when I was burning my biscuits??  The treasure trove of recipes includes mouth watering ideas like Buck and Bourbon, Moose Steak, Grilled Trout with Butter, and my personal favorite - Pan Fried Fish, which in my case is always Bluegill.

The section on Wilderness Survival is a must read for anyone who spends time out doors enjoying nature.  Survival lists for day pack, hiker and vehicle  kits will give you a good start on what you should always have with you.  Extra equipment such as guns and knives are also covered.  If you get lost in the woods it's always good to have basic knowledge on what you can safely eat or drink.  The guidebook shines in this chapter!  There is extensive information on edible plants, along with full color photos, complete descriptions, their range and habitat, edible parts and of course, how to prepare them.  I've always been fascinated by edible mushrooms and the book covers those as well.

And if you need to rely on animals and fish for your meal, you will also find complete descriptions of game birds, deer, moose, and even bear, along with suggestions on how to set traps and snares, field dress and then prepare a feast.

This chapter also covered what to do if you're lost, as well as surviving extreme hot or cold temperatures, and water submersion.  This section was so thorough and packed with information that it could easily be a guidebook in itself.

Finally, chapter 5 is dedicated to first aid, and it never hurts to brush up on your skills in case of an emergency.  This section covers basic first aid like nose bleeds, choking and artificial respiration.  However it also delves deeper into other scenario's such a poisonous plants, snake bites and bee stings.  I found the color photographs and descriptions on venomous snakes of particular interest.  The chapter finishes up with wonderful illustrations on setting bone fractures and transporting injured persons.

The last page of the guide contains a complete list of essential items for your first-aid kit.  Be sure to read it over and add necessary items to your personal kit before your next outing.

The Complete Guide to Camping and Wilderness Survival is just that - complete - as well as a must have for those who spend time in the outdoors whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro.  I always enjoy and appreciate a Vin Sparano Guidebook because they are full of useful and necessary information.  I never pick one up without learning something new.   Why don't you pick one up today?

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.   Get your copy here

(I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Images are the property of the publisher and cannot be reproduced without consent.) 

Book Review - Complete Guide to Fresh and Saltwater Fishing

Vin T. Sparano has written another gem and I can't wait to share it with you.  The Complete Guide to Fresh and Saltwater Fishing is just that - thorough and complete, and will be your go-to book for in-depth coverage of spin, bait, and fly fishing techniques, as well as tackle, and profiles of salt and freshwater game fish.

This excellent guide is 368 pages long and filled with 600 beautiful color photographs and detailed illustrations.  It's broken down into 6 sections:

• Fishing
• Freshwater Game Fish
• Saltwater Game Fish
• Cooking Techniques and Recipes
• First Aid for Fisherman
• Boating

 Let's check it out, shall we?  I want to stress that this guide is not just for the inexperienced fisherman.  There is such a wealth of information here that even experienced fishermen will find nuggets that they can use and apply while on the water.

FISHING
One of my favorite sections was right at the beginning - How to match up spinning tackle. Even though I've been fishing most of my life, I really didn't know the proper way to match a reel, rod, line and lure with the type of fish I was after.   I know what I like and what I generally use.  But the table Vin provides takes the guesswork out of the equation.  See I learned something new and useful already!

Want to learn the proper technique for using baitcasting tackle?  There are 3 pages of colored photographs with narrative outlining the proper way to do so.  Interested in ice fishing?  Look no further - the ice fishing world of tip -ups, jigging rods, lures and baits are thoroughly covered.  "What about line," you may ask....  Well, what kind of line do you want to know about - monofilament, fluorocarbon, dacron, linen, cuttyhunk, silk, lead-core or wire?  The mysteries of line are revealed in a way that is easy to understand and follow.

There is also a nice troubleshooting chart to help you with common fishing problems and what to do about them.  Navigate the world of hooks and lures.  Wait until you see the colored lure photos.  I almost guarantee you will stare at them, spellbound, like my husband does.   What is it about a pretty lure that is so mesmerizing?  This book will tell you everything you need to know about plastic worms and lures, except how to keep your husband from constantly buying new ones.

If fly fishing is more your thing, then you'll enjoy the section on the wide variety of flies - dry, keel, wet, nymphs, streamers, terrestrials, bass bugs.  The list goes on and on.  Learn which ones are the right ones for you and how to tie them.  If you want to find out the five best flies to use for bass, well, you'll need to buy the book....

Did you have any idea you could catch dolphin on fly fishing tackle?  I sure didn't.  The section on freshwater baits is particularly interesting and the accompanying chart breaks it all down for you.  Anyone interested in knots will be in heaven as there are 12 entire pages dedicated to knot tying with illustrations and step by step instructions.

FRESHWATER GAME FISH
This chapter has 27 pages all about freshwater game fish that includes their name, a colored illustration, a detailed description of the fish, their normal range, habitat, size, food, fishing methods and what baits to generally use.

SALTWATER GAME FISH
This chapter covers 30 pages and details the same information as that for the freshwater fish above.  I thought it was interesting to just look at the illustrations and read about the different types of fish that are available, especially since I've never gone saltwater fishing.  It really makes me want to give it a try sometime.

(Author Vin Sparano showing us how to hook the big one)

COOKING TECHNIQUES AND RECIPES
An important section of this book because once you catch the fish, you have to know what to do with them, right?  Proper field care and dressing of fish is a necessity.  Colored photographs will show you how to fillet a fish and work around those bothersome bones.  Make sure to take a look at the correct knives to use as well.  And then there are the recipes....

• Striped Bass with lemon and onion
• Grilled Rainbow Trout
• Walleye shore lunch
• Fried Panfish
• Butter broiled Snapper

Getting hungry?  There's a bunch of recipes here and you'll start fishing outside your comfort zone just so you can try cooking a few. 

FIRST AID FOR FISHERMEN

No outdoors book is complete without a section on first aid.  My motto is to Be Prepared and it's better to know how to do something and not need it, than to not know something and need it, right?   This section covers internal and external bleeding, mouth to mouth resuscitation, snake and bug bites, poison ivy and oak, sunstroke, sunburn, frostbite, sprains and puncture wounds.  It even covers fish hook removal and since my husband has personally made 2 trips to the emergency room for this particular problem, that grabbed my attention!  His lures are hanging on fishhook boards in ER's in 2 different states.  Not that I hope he repeats that problem anytime soon, but now I know what to do if it happens again. 

BOATING

I found the chapter on boating to be particularly interesting.  Vin really breaks down the mystery of hull design and what makes them different.  This is important if you're in the market for a boat and don't know exactly what you want or need.  Kayaks, canoes and sailboats are covered as well.  Inboard and outboard motors are discussed in depth and if you want to find out more about depthsounders, this is a good place to read all about them.  Find out why anchors come in different shapes and sizes and if backing up a boat trailer confuses you, the illustrations will help you figure it out.  And finally, there is much discussion on flotation devices and navigation lights.

The Complete Guide to Fresh and Saltwater Fishing is a must have!  It is full of important information, interesting tidbits and hundreds of useful photos.  Fathers Day is just around the corner.  Don't cast around aimlessly looking for the perfect gift - this is it!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.   Get your copy here

(I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Images are the property of the publisher and cannot be reproduced without consent.)