Looking back at the lives and sailing careers of some of our lifetime's finest yachtsmen, this collection of eleven original, moving accounts is just as much a celebration of the good - tales of hope, achievement and courageous spirit - as it is an account of their tragic final voyages. Included are world-renowned racers, like Eric Tabarly and Rob James, highly experienced cruisers and adventurers, like Peter Tangvald and Bill Tilman, and the notoriously ill-prepared Donald Crowhurst, as well as other famous and some less well-known sailors. Starting with the sad loss of Frank Davison and Reliance in 1949, the book concludes with the amazing last voyage of Philip Walwyn in 2015 - crossing the Atlantic single-handed in his 12 Metre yacht Kate. All of the men and women described were friends with or known to the author, Nicholas Gray, who himself competed in several short-handed long distance races, where he met and raced against many of these fascinating characters. Peppered with photographs showcasing the sailors and their yachts, this is a refreshing look at those who have helped to shape this sport's history, honouring their lives and accomplishments before detailing their tragic last voyages.

A handy, splash-proof, on-the-water aide memoire of everything the skipper and crew need to know - or find out quickly - when cruising: from lights, shapes and sound signals to knots, ropes and engine troubleshooting. With diagrams and illustrations throughout, this quick reference guide will help to keep you safe when out at sea.

A well-rounded guide covering the techniques and skills needed to succeed in catamaran sailing, for those starting out through to those striving for championship wins. Whether you are a youngster choosing your first cat, a club sailor looking to improve your results, or a seasoned racer embarking on a higher performance model, expert advice from Tom & Brian Phipps will take your catamaran sailing to the next level. Beginning with key theory and seamanship skills, the Phipps take you through your early sailing experiences and caring for your catamaran. Developing your skills on all points of sailing, you will be introduced to trapezing, race tuning and racing itself. As your confidence grows you move onto advanced techniques and high performance catamarans. The final section gives you a glimpse of the cutting edge of catamaran sailing with foiling platforms and solid wings. 30 focussed chapters are packed with over 350 photographs showing you exactly how it's done, with diagrams illustrating key boat parts, the various points of sailing and complex on-the-water scenarios with clarity. Whatever your background, your current level or the extent of your ambition, this book gives you all the tools you need to get out on the water and improve your catamaran sailing.

The amazing autobiographical account of the youngest ever solo circumnavigation of the Earth. First time in English! If you want to see the other side of the world, you can do two things: turn the world upside down, or travel there yourself. In 2012, at the age of just 16, Laura Dekker became the youngest sailor ever to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe. In realising her long-held dream, she had not only braved the wild oceans and long weeks of solitude at sea, but also the doubts and sometimes hostile resistance of officials. In this remarkable account of her incredible journey - for the first time in English - Laura describes in her own words what it is like to sail solo around the world, and the determination it takes to do it at such a young age. Exciting, awe-inspiring and inspirational, this is a real-life adventure for readers of all ages.

At the end of the First World War, there were 270,000 demobilised Australian soldiers in Europe. Getting them home after the Armistice was a task of epic proportions that would take more than two years. In the meantime, how to keep these disgruntled, damaged men with guns occupied? In a word: sport. The Oarsmen tells the story of the servicemen who survived the war to row for the coveted King's Cup at the 1919 Royal Henley Peace Regatta. Competing against crews from the US, New Zealand, France, the UK and Canada, the Australians were a ragtag bunch of oarsmen thrown in an old-fashioned boat and expected to race. Many had seen the worst of the action during the war at Gallipoli and the Western Front, and carried scars both physical and psychological. The baggage they brought to the boat would soon threaten to capsize the whole endeavour. Combining first-hand accounts with lively prose, this never-before-told story approaches the First World War from peacetime and illuminates history in vivid and compelling detail. Interweaving the soldiers' personal stories from before, during and after the war, The Oarsmen paints a fascinating picture of how these men, and society, transitioned from an unprecedented war to a new sort of peace.

In 1968, nine sailors set off on the most daring race ever held: to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe nonstop. It was a feat that had never been accomplished and one that would forever change the face of sailing. Ten months later, only one of the nine men would cross the finish line and earn fame, wealth, and glory. For the others, the reward was madness, failure, and death.

In this extraordinary book, Peter Nichols chronicles a contest of the individual against the sea, waged at a time before cell phones, satellite dishes, and electronic positioning systems. A Voyage for Madmen is a tale of sailors driven by their own dreams and demons, of horrific storms in the Southern Ocean, and of those riveting moments when a split-second decision means the difference between life and death.

Sail just a couple of miles away from the coast and the shoreline begins to drop below the horizon. Soon you are alone on the same wild seas the Vikings crossed, where Drake repulsed the Spanish Armada, and where the clippers once raced home with cargoes of tea. The modern world may have changed radically, but the sea remains as feral and free as it always was. There are opportunities for adventure all around us, if we wish to take advantage of them. Dinghy cruising is accessible, affordable adventure, available to anyone. It requires little other than self-reliance and self-confidence, as well as a respect for the subtleties of the local climate and topography. Out at sea in a small boat, nature is not something to be observed disinterestedly: it batters and drenches you, refreshes and enlivens you. In Sailing the Shallows Roger Barnes combines lyrical writing and beautifully drawn illustrations with simple and practical wisdom on sailing a small boat – a combination that has been much admired in his first book, The Dinghy Cruising Companion. Where the first book got readers set up and ready to go, Sailing the Shallows sees us underway and exploring. Roger describes a series of sea passages in small boats in UK, French and Italian waters, with each chapter highlighting a particular technique of coastal sailing or wilderness camping. Roger weaves practical instruction seamlessly into the narrative, and accompanies his tales with a series of exquisite hand-drawn illustrations of the places visited, events described or details of his beloved boat Avel Dro. This book is a manifesto for a different attitude to sailing; an antidote to the complexity and ostentation of contemporary yachting. It is also arguing for a different attitude to living – plain, direct and at one with nature – a reassessment of our priorities that is long overdue.

Revised and updated-the only book you need on sailboat rigging and marlinspike arts From its initial publication, The Complete Rigger's Apprentice has been the definitive go-to resource for weekend sailors and maritime professionals who want to master the fine art of rigging. In this revised second edition, master rigger Brion Toss expands upon the traditional basics of ropeworking to give you the most comprehensive, up-to-date information on the latest tools, techniques, and tricks of the trade. Features include: A complete rigging primer of essential gear, principles, and proceduresClassic ropeworking techniques you can adapt for today's modern rigsMoney-saving tips on the newest equipment, materials, upgrades and designsIllustrated instructions for tying knots, splicing rope, and making repairsProfessional guidelines for inspecting and maintaining rigs for longer voyagesEmergency procedures, troubleshooters and fixes to ensure smooth sailingNew technologies for multihull rigs, soft-shackles, Sta-Lok terminals, and more Need-to-know resources including a portfolio of rigs and glossary of termsPLUS rope tricks and puzzles that will delight your passengers

This is one of two strip maps for anyone wanting to explore the river Wye by canoe. Designed by canoeists for canoeists, it is very much a 'hands on' map - waterproof and easy to use whilst paddling down the river - it even floats! It shows all the essential paddling information as clearly as possible at a large scale - 1:36,000. There are two maps in the series - this map covers the section from Glasbury to Hoarwithy (the section from Hoarwithy to Chepstow is a separate map - 9780995751316). This map includes Glasbury, Hay on Wye, Hereford and Hoarwithy.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the ultimate long distance challenge - a 35,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe, contested by amateur crews in identical racing yachts. The 2010 winner was 28-year-old Brendan Hall and his crew in Spirit of Australia. Although Brendan was the youngest and least experienced skipper in the race, the win was no accident - it was the culmination of years of training, skilled navigation and a leadership style way beyond his years. His skills were soon put to the test - in the middle of a North Pacific hurricane, Brendan went to the rescue of a competing yacht and skippered both boats across one of the most feared oceans in the world. This brutally honest, no-holds-barred account is revealing and instructive, with valuable lessons in leadership and management - as well as never giving up. Thrown in quite literally at the deep end, he is pushed to the limit, and learns lessons you can only learn the hard way.

Everything you wanted to know about the mysterious art of rigging but were afraid to ask.

"Rigging" covers every aspect of standing and running rigging on a boat, explaining the role of every part and how they influence eachother. Easy step-by-step guides explain how to choose and fit your equipment before going on to describe how to tune your rig to achieve better performance. Alternate configurations are examined and the bewildering array of lines simply explained. Where calculations are used they are kept easy and straightforward to understand.

Table of ContentsChapter 1 - Running RiggingChapter 2 - BackstayChapter 3 - Genoa SheetsChapter 4 - Genoa CarsChapter 5 - Main SheetChapter 6 - Afterguys and SheetsChapter 7 - Halyards and Reefing LinesChapter 8 - Standing RiggingChapter 9 - Spreaders and Mast TuningChapter 10 - Winches

A beautifully, uniquely illustrated nautical guide to how to trim your sails and rig for maximum performance. With a revolutionary approach, this guide tackles the practical and realistic elements of tuning your boat, plus the theory of sail aerodynamics. Due to the design of the book, we have had to restrict the layout of the ebook to PDF style which may result in giving you a more restricted reading experience. For this reason, we would not recommend viewing it on very small screens.

With weather conditions continually evolving, skippers need to factor forecast data into every passage plan and be prepared to modify it if the situation changes. This spiral-bound instant reference guide will help you draw the most relevant weather information from a variety of sources, understand and apply broader forecast data to your location and your anticipated route, and know when and how to make those necessary alterations. In clear, practical language, and with diagrams, photographs, explanations and bulleted lists, the book is also a useful primer or overview for RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore students by following the contents of the course: - Basic terms / the Beaufort Scale - Air masses - Cloud types - Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems - Sources of weather information - Interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information - Land and sea breezes - Sea fog - Use of a barometer as a forecasting aid As a reference before sailing, a reminder of what is available for use before going to sea, and a guide to what to look out for and use when sailing, this practical handbook is aimed at skippers and crew of all levels, whether on day cruises or longer ocean-going passages. Spiral bound to lie flat and printed on splashproof paper, it is the ideal hands-on weather-focused passage planning guide, but with lots of tips for use on board it is the essential aide-memoire to have on the boat.

John Quirk loves history, drawing and boats and these three elements come together in this attractive and entertaining book. He has sought out obscure episodes or familiar events from the past and written engagingly about them, illustrated with his excellent colour cartoons. Where possible he relates the historical happenings and maritime moments to the present day, be it when tracing the history of the screw, misinformation (fake news) during the Second World War, plague ships in the fourteenth century, or Russia's ill-fated war with Japan in 1904. The events covered range from Henry V's invasion of France in 1415, consisting mainly of chartered French ships and paid for partially by Dick Whittington, to episodes in the Second World War, like the Somali Camel Corps capturing a German U-boat. Other historic figures involved include Horatio Nelson, Napoleon, Rudolf Diesel and Lawrence of Arabia. The 25 stories and over 100 cartoons are a treasure-trove of compelling, salt-infused, tales told with imagination and humour, with an eye on the present day, which will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in maritime history (or even just history).

This is the perfect reference for anyone using a powerboat whether you are just starting or need a refresher. The primary themes throughout the book are safety and fun with regular checklists at every stage. The book starts before you even get on the water with fully illustrated descriptions of types of boat, engine and trailer along with key advice about how to get the right combination for your needs - of course the black art of reversing a trailer and not getting a boot full of water are covered. Once you are on the water, there are hints and exercises to develop boat handling before moving on to how to handle the boat at speed and what to do when you have to stop at a jetty, buoy or with an anchor.

An introduction to navigation and tides will enable the powerboater to travel securely whilst prompting an interest in developing their navigation skills. Critical safety issues such as Man Overboard, travelling at night and First Aid are covered in considerable detail and with clear photographs, as is guidance on keeping your boat in good condition.

The book contains over 300 photographs and illustration and we recommend it for all RYA Powerboating courses from Level 1 to Advanced.
* Quick Start Guide
* What is a Powerboat?
* The Boat
* Water and Wind
* What do you need?
* On the Road, Launch and Recovery
* Key in the Ignition
* Moving Off
* Develop your Skills
* Anchoring
* Life Begins at 40? Maybe, but try 25
* Weather
* Navigation and Chartwork
* Communication
* We're running late and it's getting dark/When the fog comes down...
* Man Overboard
* First Aid
* Engine
* Boat Maintenance
* Recovery
* Towing - Long and Side

Stand-up Paddleboarding in Great Britain is the essential companion to anyone curious about one of Britain’s most exciting water sports. Providing details on how to get started in stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in a safe and environmentally friendly manner, this guide then suggests over 30 incredible places to SUP in England, Scotland and Wales. Enthusiastic paddleboarder Jo Moseley captures the joy of SUP by weaving together her experiences with suggestions for your own adventures. These routes will inspire you to gaze at fell tops from Derwent Water, drift along the Afon Teifi, stroll along the Isle of Mull’s Calgary Bay or spot another SUPer on London’s Regent’s Canal. Including information on each route’s difficulty, public transport, parking, refreshments and equipment hire, as well as stunning photography and overview maps, this book has something for both SUP enthusiasts and beginners. But most importantly, it exudes a passion for SUP which will inspire anyone who reads it.

Learn how to design, make, repair, improve, and maintain sails

If you want to produce sturdy sails for daysailing and cruising, built of low-tech materials you can repair with a few simple tools, The Sailmakers Apprentice can show you how. Emphasizing the handwork that distinguishes the highest-quality, most durable sails, sail pro Emiliano Marino tells you how to select a rig, introduces you to sail shape and theory, and then shows you -- step by step, with the help of over 700 detailed illustrations -- how to sew patches, hand sew rings, fix tears or frayed edges, and stitch seams, not to mention how to make your own sails, canvas sailcovers, and sailbags from scratch.

A visual feast for the sailor as well as an indispensable guide for the mariner comprehensive apprenticeship, this hands-on reference is an illustrated tour of the worlds rig and sail types, contemporary and historical.

The atlas contains 12 sheets- 2600.1 Trevose Head to St David's Head 1:450, 000 WGS 84 2600.2 Padstow to Hartland Point 1:120, 000 WGS 84 Plans Approaches to Padstow, Bude Haven 2600.3 Hartland to Ilfracombe 1:140, 000 WGS 84 Plans Barnstaple to Bideford, Lundy, Continuation to Barnstaple 2600.4 Approaches to the Bristol Channel 1:130, 000 WGS 84 2600.5 Ilfracombe to Nash Point 1:130, 000 WGS 84 Plans The Mumbles, Swansea Marina, Porthcawl, Ilfracombe 2600.6 Nash Point to Flat Holm 1:80, 000 WGS 84 Plans Watchet 2600.7 Flat Holm to Avonmouth 1:70, 000 WGS 84 Plans Cardiff Bay 2600.8 River Severn to Sharpness 1:50, 000 WGS 84 Plans Sharpness 2600.9 River Avon 1: 20, 000 WGS 84 Plans River Avon (continuation) 2600.10 Tenby to Skomer Island 1:135 000 WGS 84 Plans Jack Sound, Tenby & Caldey Island 2600.11 Milford Haven - St Ann's Head to Neyland Point 1:30, 000 WGS 84 Plans Milford Marina 2600.12 River Cleddau - above Neyland Point 1:25, 000 WGS 84 Plans Neyland Yacht Haven, Continuation to Haverfordwest Imray Digital Charts: Free mobile download A voucher code to download the relevant Imray digital charts into our Imray Navigator app is included with this atlas.