Voyaging Under Power
NZ$69.95
Voyaging Under Power
By Captain Robert P. Beebe
Historical Significance
First published in 1975, Voyaging Under Power is widely regarded as the most influential book in the history of long-distance motor boating. Before Captain Robert Beebe’s groundbreaking work, the maritime world largely believed that crossing oceans was the exclusive domain of sailboats or massive commercial vessels. Beebe, a retired US Navy captain, challenged this convention by designing Passagemaker, a 50-foot silver-hulled diesel cruiser that proved small powerboats could safely and efficiently traverse the world's oceans.
This volume is much more than a technical manual; it is the manifesto that birthed the "trawler" yacht category. Beebe’s rigorous approach to stability, fuel economy, and "the passage-making personality" remains the foundation upon which modern brands like Nordhavn and Kadey-Krogen were built. For the serious maritime collector, this book represents the exact moment the "power voyaging" era began, shifting the paradigm of private ocean exploration forever.
Key Maritime Themes
Fuel Economy and Range: The mathematical foundations of "Beebe’s Curve" for efficient long-distance cruising.
Vessel Stability: Technical deep-dives into the physics of ocean-going hull design.
The "Passagemaker" Concept: The design and philosophy behind the first purpose-built long-range motor yacht.
Self-Steering and Autopilots: Early innovations in maintaining course during multi-day ocean transits.
Marine Engineering: The shift toward reliable, slow-turning diesel engines for blue-water crossings.
Geographic Relevance
For the New Zealand mariner, Voyaging Under Power holds particular resonance. Given New Zealand's isolation and the vast distances required to reach the islands of the South Pacific or Australia, Beebe’s theories on range and fuel management are essential reading. The rugged coastal conditions of the New Zealand coastline demand the exact type of "seaworthy, displacement-hull" integrity that Beebe championed, making this volume a staple in any serious New Zealand offshore cruiser’s library.
Condition
Used hardback in very good condition with dust jacket. Published in 1984. 261 Pages.