Absolutly the best book I've read about cruising.
This book is outstanding! This is the most thorough, down to earth, well thought out how to account of cruising life that I've found. If you find a better book out there about the realities of cruising please contact me with the title. I can't imagine anyone who is thinking about living on a boat not being thouroughly satisfied with this book.

Excellent and informative
Being homeschoolers we have a number of friends who live full time on their boats and many sail around the world which is a great hands on learning experience.

The thing I like about this book that other books lacked, is information on things like what to do about mail, TV via satellite, computer use, and information that helps you realize even if you live on land, just how much stuff you DON'T need. It's a book that will inform the 2007 reader well.

Banking, paying bills and everyday information that is a must to know. And buying food locally, fishing etc. Visiting other places and knowning the stuff you need to know there.

As well as how to have the right boat for your needs so that you have the comforts you need and even some you want. Now that I am a widow I am seriously considering getting back to living on a boat full time.

Great coastal cruising book
I'm a wannabe bluewater cruiser and this is the first book I bought to learn about this adventure. I would highly rate this book for basic and technical information, with some limitations. Neale covers all the systems on the boat and the problems and the advantages of each. There are four limitations of the book though. First of all he is a coastal cruiser primarily and the open ocean sailing part is not there. Secondly, there is some other info that's left out. An example is anchoring. He discusses this thoroughly because of its importance, but never tells you what a CQR or Danforth anchor really is. I know there are limitations on length. Also, he never mentions product names. It would be good to have some names of products that really worked well or were dismal failures. This is probably my biggest gripe. And some cost factors too. We can adjust for the time factor. But again, this is a great book. I understand much more how the electrical inverters, toilets, stoves, water systems, frigs, etc. operate on a boat and why I do or don't need them. Buy this book if you're looking for a good read that's loaded with info.

Impressions
My husband and I both loved this book because we think it offered very practical advice. I also loved the pictures and the input from the author's wife and children. I highly recommend it!

Excellent
This book is an excellent resource worth much more than the price. I've read a few books on this subject and this is by far the best. We are in the process of looking for our live aboard boat. We feel we have a better understanding of what we need and what we want since reading what the Neele's had to say. I enjoyed the different viewpoints from all the family members. Highly recommended!