This is a book with no practical purpose whatsoever. As any fan of Dave’s would probably guess, a book by him won’t make you a better sailor, and it won’t provide any instruction on boat maintenance. But it will entertain - his light but observational writings tap the rich well of all those things that sailors know but few dare admit.

The Impractical Boat Owner is a collection of Dave’s columns for Practical Boat Owner magazine, expanded for the book, and with additional ‘Lessons Not Learned’ hints and tips boxes, all accompanied by Jake Kavanagh’s wonderful cartoons. Taking us from Dave’s first flounderings afloat to more recent, er, flounderings afloat, themes covered include:

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first attempts at sailing

how not to sail singlehanded -

mysteries of maintenance -

how not to sail with a dog -

the impenetrable mysteries of navigation and weather -

how not to race

The Impractical Boatowner is an antidote to all that’s written about expensive shiny new yachts, self-improvement, the quest for qualifications and practical skills.