Living Through The Gale

Being prepared for heavy weather at sea 

Heavy weather is a lurking spectre that most of us hope and plan to avoid, but not even internet forecasting can make it go away.

Anyone intent on crossing oceans must be ready to deal with it if it comes, as well it may. Even well-informed inshore and continental-shelf sailors will inevitably be caught out sooner or later.

The object of this slim, quickly absorbed volume is to give everyone, whatever their passage-making aspirations, a sound brief so that whether they find themselves at the wrong end of a force-six blow along the coast, or confronting serious waves far out at sea, they are fully aware of their options for taking it in their stride.

“Tom Cunliffe is one of Britain’s leading sailing writers and his many years of experience in the maritime environment shine through this comprehensive but easy to read book… It is filled with practical and sound advice, is easy to read and has loads of images and diagrams to support the comprehensive text. When I go to sea again, I will make sure I have a copy of this stowed away.” Noonsite

“Another excellent and authoritative book from Tom Cunliffe… This book has so much truly excellent observations and advice with clear diagrams and appropriately chosen photos arranged in 12 carefully thought-out chapters… A sensible skipper should read this book, take the advice and build it, as needed, into the way the boat is run, the crew briefed and the passage planned.” Little Ship Club

“His enormous maritime experience has been distilled into this slim volume and not a word is wasted … Tom is a practical man and this is a highly practical book. His explanations of complex subjects such as wind, waves and weather are transparently clear … This publication is structured, succinct, well illustrated and affordable. All one needs to know about living through the gale is here, compressed into the pages of one slim volume. This little book deserves to be in the library of every yacht that goes to sea.” Ocean Cruising Club

“A distillation of the author’s plentiful experience in everything from mountain-high waves and survival conditions to plain old-fashioned ugly weather … It’s nicely laid out and covers everything from storm-induced engine trouble to boat types, equipment and strategies. The book is packed with diagrams and photos.” Classic Boat