Tricks of the Trades

Bruce Van Sant writes the popular guide The Gentleman’s Guide to Passages South which many cruising sailors call their "Bible" for traveling through the islands of the trade winds to South America. It has advice that BlueWater Sailing calls "priceless".

In Tricks of the Trades, Van Sant widens the scope to handle questions of health, thieves, con artists, corrupt officials, equipment, brokers, outfitters and more. You find sound counsel for "single handers" and unique tips on how to find and outfit a boat for your trade winds cruise.

In his fourth decade of living and cruising foreign, Van Sant has amassed stratagems for sailors cruising abroad for the first time. Not how to survive, but how to live well while cruising safely and comfortably. In short, Tricks for successfully cruising the islands of the trade winds.

Tricks of the Trades presents a lively documentary from Van Sant’s 45 years of sailing and seven years of trawlering. It gives graphic and detailed accounts of natural effects you can use to cheat the ceaseless winds and wild seas of their power to deny you safe and comfortable passage through the islands of the trades of any ocean.