In this book, a logical successor to their Self Sufficient Sailor and Capable Cruiser, they discuss topics ranging from making your getaway plans to finding a truly affordable boat, keeping your outfitting costs and maintenance time in control, then learning to feel confident as you cruise farther ahead.Their chart of the gear considered necessary by many shoreside experts; compared to that carried by several cost-conscious cruisers, will give you a convenient checklist to gauge whether you are buying true necessities or overloading your budget and boat with high-tech items that can break down and steal your sense of confidence offshore.Chapters on getting the most from your cruising funds, the attributes of successful long-term voyagers, how to upgrade your boat using your own hands, plus answers to the ten questions most frequently asked by potential cruisers - all will help you prepare to explore under sail. As Lin and Larry explain, "The decisions you make now will determine if you come back from your cruise feeling more personally empowered or more enslaved by today's consumer society."