Angling Boats Reviewed

Ask any small boat angler if he got a  proper night’s sleep the night before he took his own boat out for the very  first time and you’ll get a resounding “No” for an answer.

Taking your own boat out is a massive  responsibility and the more basic knowledge you have at the outset the easier  your introduction into running your own boat will be.  Neville Merritt’s new book “Angling Boats”  is the perfect read for those looking to buy and work their first boat.

We instantly liked this book and the way  it’s written. The first chapter title is “Why Buy a Boat” and that’s exactly  the first question every prospective boat owner should ask themselves. You need  to be very sure, before you part with your money, that you really do want to  have the responsibility of running your own boat and all that that will entail.

It also makes you aware of the true cost of  running boats. All too often buyers buy a boat without taking in to  consideration all the ancillary equipment they will need, the cost of moorings,  maintenance and so much more.

Hull design types and their advantages and deficiencies are explained.  There are chapters on safety equipment, where to keep your boat and mooring  choices. He covers ropes and knots, basic maintenance and DIY, weather  forecasts, fishing marks, plus there’s a good chapter on personal care regards  sun protection, clothing and sea sickness.

The chapters that really took our eye as  experienced small boat owners ourselves are the chapters on launching and retrieving,  boat handling, anchoring and basic navigation. These chapters are an excellent  basic grounding in how to work your boat efficiently and safely from the  outset.

The chapter on what to do if things go  wrong also offers top quality advice regarding medical emergencies; man  overboard procedures, breakdowns, flooding and swampings, grounding, getting  lost, fog, auxiliary engines and towing. These are all things that will  inevitably happen to you at some time, immaterial of how careful and well  prepared you are.

Having read the book, when problems do  arise, you’ll be better prepared to deal with them quickly and efficiently.

WSF VERDICT
“Angling Boats” is written in an easy to  understand style, using simple line drawings and illustrations, and with black  and white photographs.

This book can’t buy you experience, but it  does offer instant answers to many questions that will occur during your  induction in to small boat ownership. Once you’ve read and re read the book, we  suggest you slip it in a waterproof sleeve and leave it on the boat as an  instant reference.

Full of essential information we rate it a  top buy for beginners!

“Angling Boats” is published by Arford  Books, Apple Tree, Arford Road, Headley, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 8BT. Tel: 01428  713019.

ISBN 10: 0-9553242-0-3
  ISBN 13: 978-0-9553242-0-8