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Rating: 
Summary: All in the same boat - Bitterness and Contempt
Review: Although there is much useful information contained in this book, the tone is simply awful. After reading this book I could not help but think that Mr. Neale is a bitter man who gave up his former life only to find himself broke living his chosen life of perpetual vacation. According to the author the rest of us are stuck in mindless consumption working away in sterile cubicles. The author seems to have conveniently forgotten that his boat, fuel, supplies, food, computers, software, etc., etc. would not exist along with his chosen lifestyle without the rest of us working our jobs and actually contributing something. In addition, the author uses every opportunity to present examples of incompetent boaters who unlike the master seaman that he is are a hazard to themselves and others. Continuous whining about the faults of current boat designs also adds to the overall obnoxious tone of the book. According to the author boat designers and manufactures don't know what they are doing. He thinks that a boat designed for weekend use and docked in a harbor should work just as well continuously at sea. If that is what he wanted, he should have bought a vessel designed for commercial use and paid the price, not whine about design tradeoffs that were made to make boating more affordable to the public. What is missing from this book is a little humility and gratitude. Gratitude that he as been able to live his dream instead of contempt for others who do not choose to or are unable.
Rating:
Summary: All in the same boat - Bitterness and Contempt
Review: Although there is much usefull information contained in this book, the tone is simply awfull. After reading this book I could not help but think that Mr Neale is a bitter man who gave up his former life only to find himself broke living his choosen life of perpetual vacation. According to the author the rest of us are stuck in mindless consumption working away in sterile cubicles. The author seems to have conveniently forgotten that his boat, fuel, supplies, food, computers, software, etc., etc. would not exist along with his choosen lifestyle without the rest of us working our jobs and and actually contributing something. In addition, the author uses every opportunity to present examples of incompetant boaters who unlike the master seaman that he is are a hazard to themselves and others. Continous whinning about the faults of current boat designs also adds to the overall obnoxous tone of the book. According to the author boat designers and manufactures don't know what they are doing. He thinks that a boat designed for weekend use and docked in a harbor should work just as well continously at sea. If that is what he wanted , he should have bought a vessel designed for commercial use and paid the price, not whine about design tradeoffs that were made to make boating more afforable to the public. What is missing from this book, is a little humility and gratitude. Gratitude that he as been able to live his dream instead of contempt for others who do not choose to or are unable.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic
Review: I loved this book! As a current live aboard I really enjoyed everything presented about family life for cruisers. The insights the young daughters give helps understand how kids aboard percieve the experience. Excellent reading for anyone thinking of moving onto a boat with a family.
Rating:
Summary: The first book you MUST read if you are going cruising.
Review: The reason I rate this a "first read" if you are seriously considering cruising is because so many people with limited or no experience living on a boat undoubtably have many misconceptions about life aboard. This kind of lifestyle is harder and more demanding than the sit-at-the-dockside- weekender could imagine. Tom Neale's description of the sober realities of cruising life are enough to talk the faint of heart or the misdirected out of it before they make a big mistake. As the book progresses, Tom's contagious enthusiasm becomes more and more apparent. He writes in an easy style with wry humor. His advice is well thought out, accurate and should be considered "Cruising 101." Don't forget to take notes as you read.
Rating:
Summary: Good insights on living aboad; wonderful humor!
Review: The reason I rate this a "first read" if you are seriously considering cruising is because so many people with limited or no experience living on a boat undoubtably have many misconceptions about life aboard. This kind of lifestyle is harder and more demanding than the sit-at-the-dockside- weekender could imagine. Tom Neale's description of the sober realities of cruising life are enough to talk the faint of heart or the misdirected out of it before they make a big mistake. As the book progresses, Tom's contagious enthusiasm becomes more and more apparent. He writes in an easy style with wry humor. His advice is well thought out, accurate and should be considered "Cruising 101." Don't forget to take notes as you read.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Well Rounded and "Down to Earth"
Review: This book contains an incredible range of useful information for those who are considering living aboard. From the cruising "mindset" to types of galleys to what kind of head you'll want, Neale brings experience and a clear, accessable writing style to a great number of issues. Much of the information here is also very useful to weekend or short-vacation sailors (how to choose a boat, anchoring, and energy concerns, for example). Even for those of us not yet ready to sell the house and sail away for good, this is a terrific resource and an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Well Rounded and "Down to Earth"
Review: This book contains an incredible range of useful information for those who are considering living aboard. From the cruising "mindset" to types of galleys to what kind of head you'll want, Neale brings experience and a clear, accessable writing style to a great number of issues. Much of the information here is also very useful to weekend or short-vacation sailors (how to choose a boat, anchoring, and energy concerns, for example). Even for those of us not yet ready to sell the house and sail away for good, this is a terrific resource and an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous! We're on our way...
Review: This is a great book...full of all kinds of things we know to be true, but never really thought about. We are a family of 4 who are ready to take the live-aboard/cruising plunge and this book was very insightful and fun to read. In fact, I bought it for me so I could get the hot tips on home schooling, kids feelings about leaving their friends & making new ones, etc, BUT my husband grabbed the book the day we got it and hasn't let go of it since! Every once in a while I see him laughing and nodding his head as he reads it and he frequently reads me passages from the book. We are enjoying it together as we prepare. My husband feels like he knows the author personally since they are so much on the same wavelength (no pun intended). We have even changed our minds on certain thing things we were planning to do (like we won't be getting that onboard washer/dryer after all...probably not really necessary since we won't be wearing as much clothing as we do now and laundry will be a fun family activity...for real...it could take a whole day & be adventerous). It's a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is a rare book about cruising that gives you a taste of the attitudes of long-term voyagers. I loved reading a book in which the author reveals his desire for hot showers and ice-cubes for his evening cocktails. The spartan life may be ok for me but my wfie and kids? Lots of good technical information. Escape the system that has enslaved us without our knowing!
Rating:
Summary: All in the same boat
Review: This is by far the best of all the boating books we ordered and has really helped us a lot in planning and learning more about living aboard or just cruising for now. My wife and I have both read the entire book and we will certainly read it again and again. There is so much information packed in this book. So much to learn. We Love It. Sincerely, John & Heidi
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