Navigating the nautical collection

While a smattering of cities may be as synonymous with the sea as

Newport Beach, few can boast a nautical collection that rivals the

one housed at Balboa Branch Library.

With resources for sailors, boat builders and armchair mariners,

the collection reflects the interests of a community proud of its

nautical history. In addition to books, it includes current and

historical magazines, videocassettes, audiobooks and information on

nautical Web sites and local yacht clubs.

DVDs have now been added to the shelves, including such “how to”

titles as “Anchoring Your Boat” and “Sailing With Confidence” from

the Better Boating series. You can view renowned sailor John

Rousmaniere demonstrating sailing and seamanship skills on “The

Annapolis Book of Seamanship.” Or, prepare for one of the ultimate

tests of boating ability with help from “U.S. Coast Guard License

Boating Course.”

If you didn’t make it to Hawaii last week to witness the

conclusion of Transpac 2003, watch “Transpac: A Century Across the

Pacific.” With dramatic color footage, this two-hour documentary

tracks the history of the 42nd Los Angeles to Honolulu race.

Among new and updated books, there’s no better source of

information about popular production sailboats than “Practical

Sailor’s Practical Boat Buying.” Find analyses of more than 200

vessels in the sixth edition of this compendium of reviews, company

histories and owner feedback.

Equally indispensable for hands-on mariners is “The Boater’s

Handbook.” Recently revised and updated, the new edition incorporates

tables, charts, line drawings and a wealth of useful Internet

addresses.

For those reluctant to rely on wind power, “Sorensen’s Guide to

Powerboats” provides tips for evaluating design, construction and

performance of fresh and saltwater boats. With information about what

each type does well or poorly, what to look for in each, and hundreds

of reviews, this in-depth guide is an all-in-one source for buyers

and owners.

Looking for entertainment and escape without getting near a boat?

Check out “Wayward Sailor: In Search of the Real Tristan Jones.” In

an absorbing, thoroughly researched account of the nautical

adventurer who died in 1995, Anthony Dalton details the life Jones

created for himself and the one he actually lived.

Turn to maritime historian Joan Druett for other secrets of the

sea, plumbed in “In the Wake of Madness: the Murderous Voyage of the

Whaleship Sharon.” Based on recently unearthed journals of the ship’s

cooper and third mate, this is a riveting account of the murder at

sea of one of the most ruthless captains to sail the high seas.

Without going overboard in capturing the darkness of the events,

Druett delivers a nautical thriller that reads like a real life “Moby

Dick.”

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams in collaboration with

Phyllis Scheffler. All titles may be reserved from home or office

computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.