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Help for Struggling Shoppers

Like it or not, a huge part of celebrating Christmas — as well as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa — revolves around gift giving. And for many shoppers the biggest challenge is to give something meaningful.

In addition to the seemingly endless debate about the over-commercialization of the holiday season, many have strong opinions about whether or not gift cards are too impersonal. We don’t think so. Especially when compared to a re-gifted crock pot or electric back scratcher. If a gift card or gift certificate is for something the recipient will actually use — like credit toward purchases at a marine store, sailing school or yacht charter outfit — we say, what the heck it wrong with that? And if a certificate in an envelope looks too wimpy under your tree, then just pack it in a big box and wrap it.

We’d also suggest you consider buying your sailing friends or family members a nautical book to keep them engaged in the sport — at least mentally — during the winter months. Here’s a partial list of brand new titles that have crossed our desks recently.

For the Techie

  • Safer Offshor by Ed Mapes — Crisis management and emergency repairs at sea.
  • Little Blue Book of Sailing Secrets by Peter Isler — Tips from the two-time America’s Cup winner.
  • Celestial Navigation in the GPS Age by John Karl — For those who want to try kickin’ it old skool.

For the Dreamer

  • Gone to the Sea: An Anthology by Herb McCormick — A collection of some of the best sailing stories written by one of the best sailing writers working today.
  • Cruising Conversations with a Daring Duo! by Charles & Corinne Kanter — This long-time cruising couple share their experiences and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
  • The Boy Behind the Gate by Larry Jacobson — Larry traded the security of home, career and relationship to realize his lifelong dream of sailing around the world.
  • Bull Canyon by Lin Pardey — A departure for the famous sailor, this book details her and Larry’s time in the desert building Taleisin.

For the First Mate

  • Harmony on the High Seas: When Your Mate Becomes Your Matey by Virginia Gleser — Virginia explores the leap of faith that’s required to cast off the dock lines, and shares her views on the sailing experience.
  • SEAsoned: A Chef’s Journey with Her Captain by Victoria Allman — Sprinkled with over 30 mouthwatering recipes and spiced with tales of adventure.

For the Swabbie

  • Our Big Blue Schoolhouse by Matthew Herron — A 13-year-old boy describes his adventures sailing down the coast of West Africa.
  • The Anti-Pirate Potato Cannon & 101 Other Things for Young Mariners to Build, Try & Do on the Water by David Seidman & Jeff Hemmel — Just what the title says it is. It was a huge hit during this summer’s Delta Doo Dah.
All Crissy Fields wants for Christmas is some good holiday reading material.

latitude/LaDonna
©2011 Latitude 38 Media, LLC

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On November 5, four days after leaving San Diego on what was to be a two-year circumnavigation, singlehander Dennis Howard was taken off his San Diego-based Flicka 20 Avalo by the crew of the 378-ft Coast Guard vessel Mellon, and his boat was left to drift.
The San Francisco Planning Commission adopted the environmental impact report for the 34th America’s Cup in a unanimous vote yesterday.
If you’re planning a trip to visit cruising or chartering friends in far-flung places this holiday season, we know how you can earn their undying admiration (at least until you break the head): Take down a bundle or two of the most recent Latitude 38s!