Log of Ithaka - www.cruisingworld.com

In answer to the question:
“Which practical books have proved to be the most valuable for you as ongoing resources?"

"... Kathy Parsons’ SPANISH FOR CRUISERS: Boat Repairs and Maintenance Phrase Book is a practically laid out and tabbed manual that’s far more poetic than its modest, utilitarian title suggests. This book is packed full of what almost all reference books lack, wit and perspective.

In addition to essential phrases for everyday chit-chat, she’s divided this handy gem into 25 sections that cover in detail every mechanical system or part on your boat: propane, stove, refrigeration, engine parts, structural terms, basic conversation with officials over the radio, getting along with workers in a boatyard.

... And I always take Kathy Parsons with me in the knapsack, because once ashore, even if I mangle the words, I can point to her drawings and translations."

Douglas and Bernadette Bernon

s/v Ithaka

NoonSite.com - The website of Jimmy Cornell, author of the best-selling books "World Cruising Handbook" and "World Cruising Routes"

" ... Kathy Parsons, who has travelled extensively in Latin America and speaks Spanish impeccably, has written and published an excellent book aimed at cruising sailors.

Rather than produce the usual standard phrase book for tourists, the author has considerably widened its scope by dealing with every single situation which may confront a sailor visiting a Spanish speaking country.

Thus there are separate chapters on emergencies, engine parts and repair, electrical and general hardware, electronics, sails and general troubleshooting. There is even an extremely useful chapter entitled “talking to mechanics”. The book not only lists every conceivable phrase but also gives the pronunciation in its English transliteration.

... this is an excellent book and even this reviewer, who speaks passable Spanish (including those very useful “juicier” expressions), would not leave home without it."

Cruising Guide to Venezuela and Bonaire

"Exceptionally useful and user-friendly."

Chris Doyle

Marine Writer Review

"Kathy Parsons' FRENCH FOR CRUISERS and SPANISH FOR CRUISERS are not just seemed-like-a-good-idea books that relieve you of a few dollars only to fill up the bookshelf.

... Tightly focused on the communication needs of the cruising sailor, these books are the next best thing to having a bilingual companion when you go ashore. In some ways they are better because they include hundreds of technical and local words that are likely to be unknown even to someone conversationally fluent.

A well-found cruising boat has aboard all the tools necessary to maintain the boat. FRENCH FOR CRUISERS and SPANISH FOR CRUISERS belong in this category."

Don Casey
best-selling author of marine "Do-it-Yourself" books,
including This Old Boat and Sensible Cruising

Seven Seas Cruising Association Bulletin - December 2004

Carina's Cruising Adventures - www.sv-Carina.org

"Much of the appeal of cruising in the Sea of Cortez is the interaction with locals who are generally warm and gracious, albeit of modest means.

English is rarely spoken in the rural towns here, so we strongly recommend that you buy yourself a copy of SPANISH FOR CRUISERS by Kathy Parsons ... before leaving the US and, most importantly, carry it and use it.

You'll be surprised how much the Mexican people appreciate your efforts to speak their language, and how sharing your struggle with the language breaks down barriers and enriches your experience."

Leslie Linkkila and Philip Dinuovo

s/v Carina

Bluewater Books & Charts Newsletter - November 2005 - www.bluewaterweb.com

" The SSCA Annual Gathering: A Success"

"... Kathy Parsons was there, discussing cruising the French Canals. Her books, FRENCH FOR CRUISERS and SPANISH FOR CRUISERS, are wonderful--we can't keep them on the shelf."

Melanie Neale

Email to the Author

"Your book has had a lot of use since we cruised to Mexico on Nov 2003 ... Your phrase book has saved the day more than once. The refrigeration was especially needed this last visit and the mechanic, who didn't admit knowing any English, also liked the refrigeration section.

We enjoyed Mexico so much that we purchased a condo of our own in La Paz and your book will be with us "

Carolyn and Tim DeCook
m/v Saratoga

Trip log - www.indigomoon.us

“... before leaving Ft. Lauderdale we bought two books: FRENCH FOR CRUISERS and SPANISH FOR CRUISERS. Both books are written by Kathy Parsons and are very handy because they are neatly arranged into user-friendly sections of utility depending on the task(s) at hand.

The author, herself a long-term live aboard cruiser, has the experience to know what unique phrases we need as boaters.

Thus, everything from emergency VHF radio phrases, to anchoring, to boat repair, to boat parts is included along with, of course, phrases for everyday tourists' needs regarding pleasantries and grocery shopping and restaurants, etc.

... Her books have been invaluable."

Melissa & Buddy Stockwell

s/v Indigo Moon

Blog of the O'Neil family on their 2-year sabbatical to see the Pacific coast of the US and Mexico
- www.sailblogs.com/member/oneiladventure

- Entering Cabo Harbor, Mexico

" ... I ask the man how to get a mooring ball. He asks what size boat we have and I tell him. Now we're getting somewhere! He looks at a computer and says that he doesn't have any slips available ...

I try to explain again that we're looking for a mooring ball. He looks confused.

I find the Spanish word for mooring ball in my SPANISH FOR CRUISERS book. He smiles and says that all the mooring balls are outside the harbor breakwater and all we have to do is hook up to any one that we like and then someone will come out in a boat to collect the fee from us. This is great! We now know what to do.

- Turtle Bay,Mexico

" ... My dad got hungry and rounded up everyone to go to this little restaurant that served tacos and hamburgers. [...] Anyway, my dad orders this Carne Asada taco from this lady in his best Spanish. We rely on this little book called SPANISH FOR CRUISERS if we need help with basic sentences, so my dad had this book open on the table and said several words in Spanish and pointed at random places on the menu. Well, she must have gotten the picture because she went inside and made some tacos."

s/v Adventure

Email to the Author - From: Pam Wall, Circumnavigator and Outfitting Manager at West Marine

"My kingdom for your SPANISH FOR CRUISERS!!!!"

"... Andy and I when very young, sailed our 30 sloop to England. We were in the middle of the Atlantic high, no wind! We only had a tiny engine with a 4 gallon fuel tank. Naturally we ran out of fuel about 600 miles from England. A small very dirty Spanish fishing boat came alongside, right alongside in the middle of the Atlantic, it was that calm.

And do you think Andy and I could ask for Diesel??? No way! We didn't even come close! Luckily for us, with our Reed's aboard we found gasoil was diesel, and we were able to get some from the fishermen. Right after that, a lovely southwesterly wind came up and we sailed all the way to Falmouth with full "gasoil" tank!!!!

I would have given my kingdom for your SPANISH FOR CRUISERS!!!!"

Reference shelf - www.thetwocaptains.com

"... Finally, language. Some people are good at picking up a new language while others are not. We have one of each aboard Tackless II!

But both captains would agree that whatever effort you can manage to learn the local language will reap untold rewards in your dealings with the local people.

At the most fundamental level, it shows respect. Attending language schools is one of the best options, but at the very least self-study can open the door. Cruisers should not THINK of leaving the English speaking world without Kathy Parsons' SPANISH FOR CRUISERS or her new FRENCH FOR CRUISERS."

Gwen Hamlin

s/v Tackless II

Book "The Sailing Adventures of La Boatique" by Susan Foote Wagner

Account of using SPANISH FOR CRUISERS to aid a disabled fishing boat in Venezuela (excerpt)

" ... Two and a half hours out to sea we spotted a fishing boat off our bow. As we got closer Pete saw someone on the roof of the boat waving his arms ... They were in trouble. "Batteria" was all we could make out since we did not speak Spanish ...

The fishermen could not get their boat started ... Pete decided to see if he could get their engine started so he motioned for them to paddle the dinghy back. Pete brought along our battery and a bag of helpful items including the book SPANISH FOR CRUISERS by Kathy Parsons. Once Pete got aboard their boat he saw that their wiring was bad and their engine was half under water. Their load of fish had spoiled and was beginning to stink. Water was over two feet deep in the boat.

SPANISH FOR CRUISERS with its emphasis on boat repairs helped Pete explain to the Venezuelan crew what he intended to do to help them. Pete used his voltmeter to find wires he could use to get the bilge pump and radio working. The bilge pump drained the water out of the boat. The captain of the stricken vessel was able to contact help using the radio. Pete was nearly able to get the engine started, but the starter motor was too wet and the wires smoked ...

... Later that day a towboat dragged the fishing boat safely back to Margarita."

Susan Foote Wagner

s/v La Boatique