A second-hand sailing book may contain wonderful descriptions of boats, harbours and the daily rhythm of a voyage. Its age is part of the interest. Trouble starts when a memorable passage quietly becomes present-day operational advice.
Put the edition on the first note
Record the title, author, edition and publication date. A recent reprint can reproduce much older content, so check whether the text itself was revised. Keep that distinction visible in your reading notes.
Choose a passage and identify its role. Is the author telling a personal story, explaining terminology, describing equipment or giving instructions? Different kinds of writing invite different questions.
Keep two reading lists
One list can hold details you want to explore historically: an unfamiliar boat type, a place name, a style of writing. The other can hold claims that would need current official information or qualified instruction before practical use.
For example, a harbour description may be valuable evidence of what the author reported at the time. It does not establish today’s facilities, access or conditions. Preserve the historical date when quoting or summarising it.
Enjoy the book’s voice without asking it to do every job. Your glossary can retain unfamiliar language, while operational questions belong with current references and the people responsible for the actual trip.