Here is a list of books and products I recommend in my book Get Real, Get Gone.
In some cases, I receive a small commission if you buy them through my links, in other cases, I do not.
In all cases, I have spent my own money buying them and recommend them because I use them and believe in them.
Get Real, Get Gone
Of course, I highly recommend my own book (now an Amazon international bestseller!). Currently available in English, German and Portuguese with French and Spanish coming soon.
Solar food dehydrator
We use this dryer to dry tropical fruit and to make our own fruit bars.
Speedy Stitcher
Sewing Awl – Some repairs simply cannot be done without this tool.
Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual
Our bible. Don’t know how big your solar charger needs to be? Not sure how thick your cable needs to be? Ask Nigel!
Mares Puck Dive Computer
Whether you dive or freedive, this is probably the cheapest computer you can find (150$) and still get good quality. We love pulling ourselves down the anchor chain and this watch helps us monitor our freediving depths, but Jasna uses it for scuba diving too.
Sailing The Farm
This is a great book, full of tips on how to sprout, how to make sailors cheese, how to dry and preserve fruit and which seaweed is safe to eat. Good for your health and good for your budget.
Seaworthiness : The Forgotten Factor
An in-depth look at yacht design (and how seaworthiness is often the last consideration of modern boat designs) from perhaps the greatest authority of all.
Kindle E-reader
A must have item for any cruiser and the easiest way to reduce the weight of your boat. Using the Kindle app on your phone can ruin your night vision on watch and contribute to sea-sickness. I find that the overhead adjustable lighting on the Paperwhite is very easy on the eye. The link here is to the waterproof one which makes a lot of sense on a boat, but it a few bucks more. However, I have had the same non-waterproof Paperwhite for 5 years without a problem, but that could be just dumb luck,, so spring for the waterproof one if budget allows
Wind Scoop
Essential and green air con for the tropics
Advanced Elements Kayak (Buyers in the US)
This is our main tender. Hard to imagine cruising without it.
The Complete Ocean Skipper
Here it is, everything you need to know about seamanship, written with the usual wit and attitude we have come to expect from the great Tom Cunliffe.
Voyaging on a Small Income
This is the book that inspired us and made us dream. A bit outdated in places but still highly recommended.
Stabond PVC Glue
Our favourite PVC glue, by far.
Handheld Vacuum Sealer
Cheap and small, but very valuable to keep fresh food longer or to keep it safe from critters. The bags are reusable, so it’s green too!
Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere
Bigger is very seldom better for the modern sea nomad… this is a list of 20 good boats for sailors on a small budget.
Storm Tactics
Learn how and why to “heave to”. It may save your life. It will certainly change your attitude to sailing and help allay any fears you may have. If you have bought the right boat (see my book ‘Get Real, Get Gone” above) then this is the only storm tactics book you will need.
Total french
This awesome language course is ideal for cruisers. No books. No writing. No memorizing. The Michel Thomas Method is 100% audio and can therefore be studied from your ipod or phone on long watches or whilst sitting in your cockpit with a beer. You will be amazed at how quickly this method sticks – ideal for those who have tried before to learn a language but not been impressed with their own progress..
Advanced Elements Double Kayak (buyers in Australia, NZ and anyone needing shipping to the South Pacific)
My favourite way of getting about and an excellent trouble-free tender. Great for for surf landings too.
Tiller Pilot
In Get Real, Get Gone we describe how an ordinary budget tiller pilot like this one can be connected to your windvane to provide a powerful autopilot for a fraction of the cost. I don’t particularly recommend one brand from the other, but Raymarine do see to be offering some cheap deals these days.
Cape Horn Self Steering
An elegant and attractively priced self-steering, guaranteed for 28.000 miles!
Voyaging with Kids
Voyaging with kids is something I, know absolutely nothing about. Fortunately however, my good friend Behan has published the definitive work on the subject of cruising with kids from a sea gypsy perspective. Having ankle-biters on board can really enhance your enjoyment of this lifestyle and it makes for some great kids too. Entertainingly written, Voyaging with Kids should answer all your questions and allay the doubts of those who think kids are an impediment to setting sail.
Solar Panels
Quiet, green, 100% reliable. Free energy from space, what’s not to like!
Inflatable Solar Light
Totally waterproof, this solar light makes a very convenient and non battery draining way of illuminating your cockpit party.
Cost Conscious Cruiser
This book reminds us what really matters at sea.
20 Affordable Sailboats to Take You Anywhere
In case John Vigor’s selection of sailboats was just too small to fit your wine collection, here are 20 more good sea gypsy boats that are a wee bit bigger.
Total Spanish: Audio CD
This awesome language course is ideal for cruisers. No books. No writing. No memorizing. The Michel Thomas Method is 100% audio and can therefore be studied from your ipod or phone on long watches or whilst sitting in your cockpit with a beer. You will be amazed at how quickly this method sticks – ideal for those who have tried before to learn a language but not been impressed with their own progress.
Teva Sandals
I used these shoes every day for four years, walking in rivers and lagoons, across dusty mexican streets and sharp reefs. They refuse to die. These sandals are tougher than me! Available for men and women.
English
Slovensko
Italiano
I got to the ‘things we like’ page through my kindle version of the book but there seems to be no link on your web page
Thanks for letting us know Mitch, we are working on it!
Enjoyed the book a lot. Thanks!
I am 5 years from potentially taking the plunge. My question is – a dog. You know sea gypsies w dogs? I realize a dog will up the hassle factor. Just curious about advise and counsel. Food seems easy enough but what about,shall we say, the other end? Any recommendations ?
Thoughts?
You are right there… having a pooch certainly increases the hassle factor. Frankly l would never consider having a dog on board, but plenty do. There is a great facebook group dedicated to this subject. I will send you the link once l have found it.
Currently, reading chapter 2 of “…Get Gone”. I am having so much fun reading this so far. I am a very out of practice B-Skipper that preparing to liveaboard/sail carefully but hopefully by next year.
Hi George,
Thanks for your kind words about our book. We are glad you are enjoying it. Give us a shout at sailingcalypso@gmail.com if you have any questions once you have finished it. If you are inclined to write us a good review at the end of it, please go ahead (it all helps). Good luck with your plans and stay in touch.
Cheers,
RnJ
SV Calypso
Tonga
I enjoyed get real very much I am currently looking for boats to escape on.
Excellent news Gary! Let us know if we can help
Read your book yesterday. Brill.
Not sure i could live without a fridge but then again never tried.
hi Paul,
I think you would surprise yourself! Glad you liked the book.
Just read your book “Get real get gone” in less than 24 hours. Despite, or maybe because of, having done a RYA yacht master course 10 years ago this approach to being a “voyager” is utterly refreshing. Apart from the multitude of practical tips and no nonsense advice, I suspect the most important thing it has also given me is a change of attitude. Change in my approach to sailing, from deference to the many “professionals” out there to questioning and a genuine way to possibly entice my sea cautious wife to come to sea with me. Thank you.
Just finished the book for the second time a amazing book thank you so much as a family with young children we are now looking for more info on the life style with kids age 6 and 8 it not a pipe dream for us we are aiming to be gone next spring just working on sailing courses and finding a boat that will suit us. thank you guys if we are every lucky and get to meet you we will float over a few beers .
Hi Rick,
Thanks so much for opening your treasure chest of knowledge in your book, and in this list of stuff you like.
I linked here from your book where you talk about an affordable insurance company, but I have not found it here.
An I missing it?
(Continuation of previous comment)
Specifically, your link to “Topsail Insurance” links to this page, but I don’t see them mentioned here. You may be missing out on a little revenue (or at least “good will”) stream from referrals to Topsail.
https://www.topsailinsurance.com/
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the nice words regarding my book. I would really appreciate it if you could repeat them on Amazon (helps with sales/sails ? )
Since writing the book, I am afraid that Topsail have gone the same way as every other sailing insurance company in that they now only seem to want to insure weekend warriors on plastic production boats kept in marinas. I was sending lots of American and British sea gypsies their way and they flat out turned them down. Eventually, they even refused to insure me (for any premium), despite being a long-standing customer. I am currently looking for a decent insurance company tailored to live aboard nomads, but nobody knows what the influence of Brexit will be on policies underwritten by Lloyds of London, so it is rather an uphill task at the moment. I do have one company I am looking at now and I will update the book accordingly if they pan out. Thanks again for the great vibes.
Cheers,
Rick
Fiji
Thanks Nick. I say let the marine insurance companies rip off the rich.
I don’t know any land gypsies who have caravan insurance either.
Outstanding book, man. I’m just starting into my second reading and have now found the words to use in an Amazon review (it’ll actually be a copy of my last email to you).
You could try Northern Reef.
I have a ferro cement vessel in Australia and the above company was the only one which would insure it.
More expensive, but does not require a survey.
Cheers
I’ve enjoyed reading your book. I have an Offshore 33 Cat Ketch with unstayed aluminum masts and wishbone booms. 1982 hull and 24up diesel. I have owned since 1987, lived on it for several years, cruised it on Galveston Bay, TX and now for a number of years on the Chesapeake. Rebuilding interior and find my approach to cruising so compatible with your advice. Sometimes some independent reinforcement is nice to find inspire of my being comfortable with my nonconformity.
Incidently, I had a great cruising Alvin Vega 27 before this and that is a great cruising boat for readers to consider.
True that David! A great boat the Vega 27, but increasingly difficult to find one that is not totally past it. thanks for the comment. ?
Thanks for all the great resources. First step of the journey
Good day! Just finished reading your excellent book. It’s worth a read for the point of view as much as the practical information. I’m healing up a compound fracture of my pelvis while I plan the fix-up of a 1973 Cooper 416 that we just completed the purchase of in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. This book and its accompanying real life advice are going to be quite valuable as I work through getting Contigo ready for our adventures. We’re new to sailing and I’m recently retired, so every aspect of your book has been helpful. I’ll see if I can get a good review posted on Amazon as well.
Hi Denny!
Thanks for the message. Glad you liked the book ? I saw that nice looking Cooper for sale up there in San Carlos – what kind of trouble is she in and when do you expect to get going?
Don’t push that fracture too hard – these things always take longer than the doc says (like fixing up boats ? )
Hi Rick
Great book and great advice, we own a 1968 Trewes Viscount 40′ steel ketch “Blue Argolis” (sister ship to Eric and Hiscock “Wanderer IV”) and will be setting off next year (2021) on our sea gypsy life after my wife retires from the NHS. We found your book very informative and very funny in places with your descriptive anecdotes. Our plans for the next few years of cruising will include the Caribbean and then perhaps the Pacific. So who knows – if we bump into each (metaphorically speaking) “Rum’s the word”. Kind regards Greg & Sue Hill – Blue Argolis
Hi Greg and Sue,
thanks for that! I will drop you an email so that we can stay in touch (I never miss a rum offer!)
Good luck with everything.
Cheers,
Rick
Hi Rick,
What was the name of the book you recommended @ the back of GRGG about the various fish to be caught in different parts of the world?
Thanks,
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
Sorry for the late reply. The fishing book I recommended was Cruisers Handbook of Fishing 2/E (EBOOK)
Book by Scott Bannerot and Wendy Bannerot. Although I would not call it a book about catching fish in different parts of the world, more about universal technique for those travelling at 5-7 knots.
Cheers,
Rick
Wonderful book, thank you
Currently volunteer on the Adventure out of Gloucester, MA, USA
Will start looking for a seaworthy boat
Fair winds
Good luck Dennis – Let me know if I can help.
Hi Rick and Jasna,
I’m outfitting my second cruising boat (lived aboard the first one for 10 years). I own a polypropylene kayak that cruised with me on the first boat, but I would love to de-clutter the deck and get an inflatable kayak I could store below on passages.
I keep coming back to the Advanced Elements designs … but then I remember they’re PVC and not hypalon. How have yours held up in the UV? What extra measures (if any) do you take to protect them?
Great book, BTW — excellent ideas to keep it simple and go now.
Regards,
Jane A.
s/v Pelican
Hi Jane,
Rick here (Jasna has not been my crew for several years). The good thing about the AE design kayak is that the pvc tubes are zipped away in sunbrella tubes. This has two advantages: Firstly to protect the pvc from the uv of course, but also this allows the pvc tubes to be inflated with more pressure as the sunbrella fabric stops the tubes expanding indefinitely. This (and the aluminium inserts) is what makes the AE kayak so stiff and stable. The base is exposed PVC though, so if you intend to store it face down, then you will need a cover. Generally, it makes sense to buy (or make) a cover as the AE will last for ages if covered and (as you plan to) stored below on passages. Another advantage is that, because it is so light, you can chuck it on your shoulder and walk it up the beach where it can be left in the shade, rather than cooking on the beach.
Good luck with the new boat – I will PM you so you can keep me posted.
Cheers,
Rick
PS: If you decide to buy one, please use the links on my website as I get a wee commission at no extra cost to you. ?