Product Description

This practical, illustrated guide provides the ideal introduction to the complex, challenging skill of sailing. It offers a concise but authoritative explanation, in text and diagrams, of everything a beginner needs to know before getting on the water, from parts of a boat to how the wind works on a sail. Photographs demonstrate the on-the-water techniques, from hoisting the sail to tacking and gybing. Once these essentials are mastered, the reader can sail any size and shape of dinghy, whether to race or cruise, whether single-handedly or in a team. A chapter details the types of sailing dinghy available and explains how to choose the right one. Understanding wind, weather and current, the rules of the road at sea, coastguard safety and dealing with minor injuries are fully covered.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199685 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

About the Author
Sarah Ell, sailor and novelist, lives in New Zealand. A native of Auckland, home to the America's Cup and affectionately known as the City of Sails, she was brought up around boats. She still lives in Auckland, where she is a journalist by trade and a sailor by passion.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant for Beginners
I have only recently taken up sailing and have found that this book contains everything you need to know when starting to sail. It shows the reader all the basic aspects of sailing in clear easy to follow steps, that can be put into practice when out on the water. The book is divided into different sections, including Basics, Getting Afloat, How Sailing Works and Conquering the Elements, among others. All in all an excellent book, well written and laid out with clear easy to follow diagrams and pictures. There is also an excellent section on the 'Rules of the Road', which gives information on rights of way. Very interesting and easy to follow. I can definitely recommend this book to anyone taking up sailing.