Product Description

Interested in learning to sail but feel like you’re navigating in murky waters? Sailing for Dummies, Second Edition introduces the basics of sailing, looks at the different types of sailboats and their basic parts, and teaches you everything you need to know before you leave the dock.

In Sailing for Dummies, Second Edition, two U.S. sailing champions show you how to:

• Find and choose a sailing school
• Use life jackets correctly
• Tie ten nautical knots
• Handle sailing emergencies (such as capsizing and rescuing a man overboard)
• Launch your boat from a trailer, ramp, or beach
• Get your boat from point A to point B (and back again)
• Predict and respond to water and wind conditions
• Read charts, plot your course, use a compass, and find your position at sea

Sailing for Dummies shows you that getting out on the water is easier than you think. The authors keep the sailor–speak to a minimum where possible, but give you a grasp of the terminology you need to safely and effectively communicate with your crew. A textbook, user’s manual, and reference all in one, this book takes the intimidation out of sailing and gives you the skills and confidence you need to get your feet wet and become the sailing pro you’ve always wanted to be. Anchors away!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16064 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

From the Publisher
Get set to sail with "Sailing For Dummies"
"Its authors are universally respected in sailing, both for their competitive records and their ability to explain its mysteries to land lovers." - Robert Hopkins, Jr., Former U.S. Olympic Coach and America's Cup Navigator

Are you interested in sailing, but think it's too expensive? Have you dreamed of sailing away, but aren't sure about the regulations, etiquette, and proper gear to wear? If you think sailing is only for the rich and famous - think again!

"Sailing for Dummies™" gives you practical, easy-to-follow advice for everything from buying the right equipment and gear to setting sail for the first time to watching races on TV!

By reading "Sailing for Dummies™", you'll discover how to:

Select the best boat to buy or rent for your sailing needs

Navigate like a pro-day or night-with the help of charts, satellites, and compasses

Handle mishaps such as torn sails and leaks

Administer basic first aid and handle an overboard rescue successfully

Recover from a capsize, tow a boat, and discover other ways to keep safety a priority

Understand U.S. federal boating regulations and other rules of the sea Find a sailing a school that fits your schedule and your budget

Make sailing fun for the entire family- from toddlers to teens

Locate the best cruising destinations around the world.

From the Author
Its packed with info for both experienced and beginners!
We had fun writing this book - and as always, we learned a lot in the process. It is cesigned to be the "ultimate" sailing reference book so we were challenged to make (portions) of the book helpful for the non-sailor and other portions helpful for the "old salt" like us. We really tried to get to the practical "heart" of each subject - be it Weather, Navigation or learning to tack. We hope it will encourage many more people to explore the great world of sailing!

From the Back Cover
Covers the latest advances in electronic navigation

Get the know–how you need to sail safely and have fun

Want to sail into the sunset but don′t know port from starboard? Don′t worry! Now updated with the latest on boats, gear, and racing, this hands–on guide helps you chart a course to sailing success, from getting familiar with nautical terms and seamanship basics to setting sail, navigating, anchoring, and docking — even riding out a storm.

• Get your feet wet at a sailing school
• Launch a boat and maneuver under sail
• Navigate, anchor, and dock
• Charter a boat or enter races
• Choose and care for a boat

Praise for Sailing For Dummies

"Provides an interesting read, easy instruction, and a handy reference work."
—Walter Cronkite

"Peter and JJ′s enthusiasm for the thrill and fun of sailing brings the comprehensive guide to life in every chapter. Whether you′re a novice or several years into this fascinating sport, the Islers′ knowledge and insight will speed you along your course to sailing mastery."
—John Burnham, Editor of Cruising World magazine

Customer Reviews

Who would think the sea could be such a divide?
This book is American, and unfortunatly there are a great deal of differences between sailing in the UK and America. There is no mention of the RYA and all the sterling work and courses they hold, and most of the yacht and dinghy references will be unknown to UK people.

In addition, the book tries to cover too wide a subject area with no depth in any of them. (e.g. it only describes 3 knots!)

Sorry, but it's the worst value sailing book I have come across, but at least it was cheaper from Amazon!

Very informative and entertaining summary of sailing!!
As a novice sailor, I found this book to contain an introduction to everything I needed to know about sailing. The Isler couple, both world class sailors, spice up the material with personal amusing anecdotes of their sailing experiences (and occasional mishaps). Plenty of illustrations add to the book's educational value. I can't imagine a better intro book to the subject.

Sailing for dummies
This is a very disappointing book indeed. It is very thorough as one would expect but it really should be titled Race Sailing for Dummies. It is written by sailors who crew large yachts and quickly skips the basics of various types of dinghy sailing in favour of this more expensive and elite sport. Consequently it is not the book for beginners it purports to be, and any novice who would describe themselves as a Dummy is unlikely to be boarding a cruising or racing yacht at first. It has put me off buying any of the other 'For Dummies' series!