The Optimist is the most popular junior sailing class worldwide, with thousands of young people actively racing them and hundreds attending the major events in the class. It has been the nursery for most of the top racing sailors in the world including all the Team GBR gold medallists at the last 2 Olympics (Sir Ben Ainslie, Hannah Mills, Saskia Clark and Giles Scott) - the same will be true for most other countries. Optimist Racing is written for those sailors, parents and coaches who are looking for success in this competitive class. In it you will learn what it takes to win, including how to achieve blistering boatspeed through technique and tuning, perfect boat handling and tactics as well as covering the mental and physical requirements for success. There is also a section for parents and coaches describing how they can best support their young sailors. Originally written by Ben Ainslie's Optimist coach, Phil Slater, this new edition has been completely updated by top international racing coach, Steve Irish, who can be found coaching Optimist and other sailors worldwide. This book is the up-to-date handbook for sailing an Optimist fast.

America's most experienced and renowned sailing instructor has put down in this volume all he knows about his subject. And he has done it in a way that reflects years of searching for and finding the best way to teach sailing. The result is an incomparable book for anyone who wants to become an expert sailor.

Fully updated 8th edition of this easy-to-access instant guide to emergency first aid for all seafarers. This essential guide to first aid afloat is an essential part of any on-board medical kit. Its waterproof ring-bound pages, colour-coded tabs and clear layout make it easy to use in an emergency. This revised new edition has been updated with latest medical practice, including information relating to Covid-19, expanded information on treating burns, a new section on diving accidents, and updates to advice on certain illnesses and first aid kit contents. Clear, easy-to-follow illustrations make it ideal for crew members with limited training in first aid. Key features include: * Concise descriptions of each medical condition * Prioritised lists of treatments * Ringbinding to make the pages easy to turn and enable the book to lie flat * Waterproofed pages to withstand use at sea * A colour-coded thumb index to emergencies for quick reference * Covers all the medical emergencies likely to be encountered at sea * Fully updated in line with current guidelines and best practice Here is some praise for previous editions in the sailing press: 'A highly practical on-board emergency tool written by doctors who sail' - Yachting Monthly 'A handy companion not only detailing medical procedures but providing some information on emergency communications' - Sailing Today

The essential onboard guide to staying afloat and alive at sea-when you run into trouble

Written by a respected marine journalist with over thirty years of boating experience, this practical guide offers immediate solutions to any number of problems encountered while at sea. Addressing such dangers as fire; taking on water; running aground; losing power, mast, or rudder; man overboard; becoming lost; and extreme weather, the book offers clear guidance on gaining control of the situation, along with easily understandable photos and illustrations. Other key

safety measures, such as having a good understanding of first aid, the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS), flares and signals, are also described in detail. This handy, waterproof guide would complete any boat's equipment list.Detailed advice for most emergency situationsA must-have reference for all sailors, power boaters, and motor boatersThe author of numerous books in Norwegian, John Winge has cruised all over world

As important as a first-aid kit, "Emergency Companion" is any boater's

first line of defense against managing any mishap or potential disaster at sea.

Authoritative, practical, and hands-on information on reading and relying on electronic and paper nautical charts

The classic "How to Read a Nautical Chart" explains every aspect of electronic and paper nautical charts: how a chart is assembled, how to gauge the accuracy of chart data, how to read charts created by other governments, how to use information such as scale, projection technique and datum that every chart contains; how not to get fooled or run aground by overzooming. Nigel Calder teaches you how to squeeze every ounce of information out of a nautical chart (on your GPS, chartplotter, or nav station) and understand the limits of accuracy for all charts, paper and electronic, raster and vector. This much-awaited second edition addresses the changes in the world of electronic charting, integrated onboard navigation systems, as well as radar overlays and AIS and their interfacing with charts. A new chapter on the Wiki Revolution explores the mechanisms allowing you to incorporate user-generated content into navigational products and share this content with others--harnessing a user-base never before possible. Calder also explores how 3D-technology and real-time depth and weather information is creating interactive charting capacities that are fundamentally changing how we navigate. Calder's unique, practical insights will help you to navigate safely for years to come.

The Norfolk Broads is a unique wetland environment, with marvellous wildlife and scenery that is ideal for exploring by canoe or kayak. This guide provides all the information you need to plan your journey through this picturesque landscape. Seven rivers and fourteen Broads are described in detail, with information on launching points, local attractions, wildlife and history. Distances between launching points are also provided, along with details of riverside campsites and pubs, enabling you to plan single and multi-day trips. To help you prepare for your journey there is also advice on tides, safety, access and environmental issues. The 2nd Edition contains 128 small but significant updates.

Through the French Canals has probably tempted more people to explore the beautiful waterways of France than any other book. First published in 1970, it's been the key authoritative title on cruising the French canals ever since. The revised new edition is the essential comprehensive planning guide for anyone wanting to cruise through the French waterways or take their boat from the English Channel through to the Mediterranean via the inland route. It includes: over 50 routes fully described and illustrated, with positions of locks, towns and villages through routes from the English Channel and Atlantic to the Mediterranean, plus distances, and assessment of suitable boats for the canals. It also provides dimensions of locks and operating times, details of bridge heights, canal depths, fuelling points, waterway signals, a guide to the cost of living, shopping and stores, sources of weather information, haltes for overnight stops, and ports de plaisance. As well as new photography, the new edition is updated throughout with new information on local facilities, new haltes and ports de plaisance, new VNF License fees, revisions to cruise hire companies, updated references to holding tanks, the availability of diesel and costs of cruising and much more.

One summer, writer and musician, Jasper Winn set himself an extraordinary task. He would kayak the whole way round Ireland - a thousand miles - camping on remote headlands and islands, carousing in bars and paddling clockwise until he got back where he started. But in the worst Irish summer in living memory the pleasures of idling among seals, fulmars and fishing boats soon gave way to heroic struggles through storm-tossed seas ... and lock-ins playing music in coastal pubs. Circling the country where he grew up, Jasper reflects on life at the very fringes of Ireland, the nature and lore of its seas, and his own eccentric upbringing - sprung from school at age ten and left free to explore the countryside and its traditional life. Charming, quietly epic, and with an irresistible undertow of wit, Paddle is a low-tech adventure that captures the sheer joy of a misty morning on Ireland's coast. As the sun breaks through, you'll be longing to set off too.

"Rough Water Handling" by Doug Cooper is a practical guide that will help you to master the skills needed to manoeuvre a sea kayak efficiently in rough water and advanced conditions. For intermediate and advanced paddlers, Doug draws on his personal and coaching experience to help the reader master sea kayak handling skills and techniques. Accurate sequential photos and simple concise language make the descriptions easy to follow and understand. The technical, tactical, physiological and psychological aspects of these skills are covered in the areas of: high wind paddling, moving water, surf, rock hopping, tide races, open crossings and rolling. "Rough Water Handling" is recommended as support material for the British Canoe Union 4 and 5 Star (Sea) awards. (The 1 star is a novice 'encouragement' award, the 2 star covers basic generic kayak skills, the 3 star basic/intermediate sea specific skills and experience, and the 4 star covers intermediate sea specific skills and leadership in moderate conditions). Doug has spent a lifetime playing and working in the outdoors! He is at his happiest when exploring new parts of the world or challenging himself and others to improve their skills; this he has been doing for over twenty years. With a constant lust for adventure, Doug has sea kayaked all over the world including Greenland, Iceland, Norway's Lofoten Islands, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Corsica, Sardinia and Croatia. His whitewater kayaking and mountaineering has also taken him on adventures around the globe. At present Doug works as Head of Paddlesport at Glenmore Lodge, Scotland's National Outdoor Centre. Here his love of helping others learn and improve is put to good use every day, when he works as a BCU Level 5 Sea and Whitewater Coach, Level 4 Surf Coach and a Mountain and Ski Instructor. Doug is the author of "Sea Kayak Handling" and co-authored "Scottish Sea Kayaking" (Pesda Press), a selective guide to sea kayaking in Scotland.

This is a must-have compact travel guide to the Canal du Midi, a picturesque waterway in Southern France, popular for boating trips and holidays. The Canal du Midi is recognised as one of the most beautiful and popular waterways in Europe. It is an UNESCO world heritage site and attracts many visitors every year. It's widely regarded as the perfect boating region for wine tasting, sightseeing at medieval villages and cities, and visiting cafes and restaurants. This up-to-date, comprehensive travel guide covers all the practical information and sightseeing opportunities boaters need to know about during their holiday on the canal, including: -Highlights and itinerary for Canal du Midi trips for easy planning -Insider travel tips for your boating holiday: where to stop off, sightseeing highlights, recommended restaurants to visit along the way -Essential practical nautical information such as how and where to charter, locks, bridges and berths and so on -Concise English-French dictionary with the most important vocab -Fantastic photography and useful route maps

"The definitive guide to kayaking the Florida Keys."--Jeff Klinkenberg, St. Petersburg Times

"The author has gone to great lengths to provide the necessary details to make kayaking in the Keys easy."--James Bell, Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge

Spanning the 200-mile stretch of the Florida Keys, this field guide to the entire island chain highlights 50 paddling adventures, many for canoeists as well as kayakers. Trips include short paddles suitable for beginners and children, half-day trips as well as day-long and overnight excursions.
Kathleen Patton provides an overview of the region's environment, describing its terrestrial and marine habitats. She covers equipment needs, safety concerns, weather patterns, and adapting tide tables for specific areas. Trips are arranged geographically, beginning near Miami at the top of the Keys in Biscayne National Park and stretching 73 miles past Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. Each profile includes directions to the launch site, estimated paddling time, kayak rental availability, a detailed itinerary, and a route map. Icons mark each route's particular strengths: for example, great snorkeling, historical interest, camping, and appropriate trips for canoeists and for children. Patton also directs paddlers to the best reefs, swimming holes, and pristine sandbars for wildlife viewing--birds, manatees, dolphins, tropical reef fish, coral heads, sponges, sea stars, and huge spotted eagle rays.

Clear, concise trip descriptions and detailed maps make "Kayaking the Keys" the most complete guide for paddlers of all ages and abilities who want to explore the only tropical waters in America that are accessible by automobile.
Kathleen Patton is program coordinator for Florida Keys Discovery, a nonprofit community education project.

For any sea-farer, splicing rope is an essential skill. But the traditional 3-strand rope is fast disappearing. So how do you splice braided ropE? This is the definitive pocket-sized guide to all rope splicing techniques. Most of the techniques are quite easy to master - and also fun to do. See why splices are better - and stronger - than knots or shackles for joining or shortening rope, and follow the step-by-step photography and clear instructions to find out exactly how to splice efficiently.

This manual takes both novice and experienced boatowner through minor to major repairs of electrical systems, engines, electronics, steering systems, generators, pumps, cookers, spars and rigging. When it was first published in 1990, the Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual broke new ground. It was hailed as the first truly DIY manual for boatowners and has sold in its thousands ever since. There have been significant changes in boat systems since then, particularly electrical systems, and this fourth edition has been fully updated to reflect these developments and expand its predecessor's worldwide popularity. 'Probably the best technical reference and troubleshooting book in the world' Yachting Monthly 'It deserves to come standard with every boat' Yachting World

For readers who relish the image of clinging to a sinking makeshift raft while fighting off sword-wielding and delirious mutineers wrenching the last cask of water from a sailor's sun-scorched hands (while sharks circle in famished anticipation), "Shipwrecked! Adventures and Disasters at Sea" is an irresistible read. A heady voyage through human suffering at the hands of unforgiving oceans, cruel captains, and implacable fate, this latest collection of Evan Balkan's impeccably researched true adventures details 14 major maritime disasters. Included are such legendary stories as the 1629 maiden voyage of the "Batavia" that ended in mutiny and murder, and the dramatic destruction of the majestic three-masted barquentine "Endurance" in ice-clogged Antarctic waters in 1912. A vast spectrum of human emotion and activity is featured in these exciting profiles, from deadly incompetence and brutish cannibalism to surprising self-sacrifice and quiet heroism.

This edition consists of 11 extra chart sheets, twice the coverage of the previous edition, and incorporates all the latest official bathymetric surveys. Created in association with the Clyde Cruising Club for use alongside their sailing directions, coverage includes detail of this delightful area of Scotland and there is reference to the popular large scale Antares Charts. The 22 chart sheets in this pack provide all the necessary information for passage planning, detailed approach to yacht havens and marinas, and the numerous anchorages and sailing areas recommended for small craft. Coverage includes large scale charts from Kintyre sailing north, with newly included charts of Kintyre, Gigha, Islay, Jura and Colonsay. Large scale coverage continues with Mull, Loch Linnhe, Lock Etive, Lock Sunart Coll, Tiree to Ardnamurchan. Full details of charts and their scales are listed below. Also available wiro bound, see code IC2800-3W. 1st edition charts Y80, Y81, Y82, Y83, Y84, Y85, Y86 and Y87 have been published that replicate charts 2800.4, 2800.10, 2800.11, 2800.12, 2800.13, 2800.15, 2800.17 & 2800.18 respectively and sold individually. These are part of our 'small format Y chart series' that mirror coverage from the corresponding atlas and are A2 size. For details of these please see the relevant page on our website. Charts included: 2800.1 Kintyre to Ardnamurchan (1:350 000) 2800.2 Mull of Kintyre (1:75 000) Plans Campbeltown Loch (1:35 000), Campbeltown Harbour (1:7500), Sanda Island (1:30 000) 2800.3 Port Ellen to the Sound of Jura (1:75 000) Plan Port Ellen (1:25 000) 2800.4 Sound of Gigha (1:25 000) 2800.5 West Islay (1:75 000) 2800.6 Sound of Islay to Colonsay (1:75 000) Plan Scalasaig (1:12 500) 2800.7 Sound of Jura (1:75000) Plans Craighouse Bay (Loch na Mile) (1:25 000), Loch Sween (Tayvallich) (1:25 000) 2800.8 Jura to Oban (1:75 000) 2800.9 Crinan and Loch Craignish (1:30 000) Plan Crinan Approaches (1:10 000) 2800.10 Corryvreckan, Sound of Luing and Garvellachs (1:30 000) 2800.11 Cuan Sound and Loch Melfort (1:30 000) Insh Island to Loch Feochan (1:30 000) Plan Loch Feochan (1:30 000) 2800.12 Sound of Kerrera and Approaches to Oban (1:15 000) 2800.13 Firth of Lorn & Lismore (1:40 000) 2800.14 Loch Etive (1:40 000) Plans Dunstaffnage Bay (1:15 000), Loch Etive Continuation (1:40 000) 2800.15 South Loch Linnhe and Loch Creran (1:40 000) Plan Loch Creran Continuation (1:25 000) 2800.16 North Loch Linnhe, Loch Leven and Loch Eil (1:40 000) Plans Loch Leven Narrows (1:15 000), Continuation of Loch Leven (1:40 000), Corran Narrows (1:15 000), Approaches to Corpach Sea Loch (1:20 000) 2800.17 Sound of Mull (1:40 000) Plan Loch Aline (1:10 000) 2800.18 West Sound of Mull and Loch Sunart (1:40 000) Plans Tobermory (1:20 000), Continuation of Loch Sunart (1:40 000) 2800.19 West Mull to Point of Ardnamurchan (1:75 000) Plan Treshnish Isles (1:37 500) 2800.20 Coll and Tiree (1:75 000) Plans Loch Eatharna (Arinagour) (1:17 500), Gott Bay (1:20 000) 2800.21 Ross of Mull and Iona (1:75 000) Plans Bull Hole (1:25 000), Tinkers Hole (1:25 000) 2800.22 North of Coll Continuation (1:75 000) West Loch Tarbert (1:30 000) Jura Loch Tarbert (1:25 000)

With over two-thirds of the globe covered by water, the ability to navigate safely and quickly across the oceans has been crucial throughout human history. As seafarers attempted longer and longer voyages from the sixteenth century onwards in search of profit and new lands, the tools of navigation became ever more sophisticated. The development of instruments over the last five hundred years has seen some revolutionary changes, spurred on by the threat of disaster at sea and the possibility of huge rewards from successful voyages. As this book shows, the solution of the infamous longitude problem, the extraordinary impact of satellite positioning and other advances in navigation have successfully brought together seafarers, artisans and scientists in search of better ways of getting from A to B and back again.

The ultimate guide to paddling whitewater in the western Carolinas, Carolina Whitewater has guided paddlers to the best creeks and rivers in the Tar Heel and Palmetto states for over 30 years.Detailed creek and river profiles include: Topographic-based maps Shuttle directions Gauge locations Kayakers and canoeists will find expanded and updated information for the classic rivers, like the Nolichucky, Nantahala, and French Broad, as well as for several new steep runs, such as Rockhouse Creek, Hurricane Creek, the Gragg Prong, and Big Hungry River. You'll also get vital information on clubs and organizations, state water trails, and national and scenic rivers. Waterway data for each run includes: Class of difficulty Length of the run Time to paddle Water level needed to paddle Permits required (if any) Gradient of each run Ratings for scenery David and Bob Benner have been paddling the Carolinas for decades. David resides in Morganton, NC. Bob Benner is retired and also lives in Morganton.

Dr Thomas Harrison Butler was a skilled, yet amateur, designer responsible for some hundreds of classic English cruising yachts which still grace our seas. Cruising Yachts, his design manifesto, first appeared in 1945-the year of his death-and last appeared in print in 1995. This long overdue Fifth Edition has been produced in collaboration with the Harrison Butler Association, and is a complete re-setting of the original text, drawings and mono photographs, documenting in detail HB's approach to the design and equipping of a yacht, providing an annotated catalogue of notable designs, and including a biographical portrait by HB's daughter, the late Joan Jardine-Brown. New for this edition are a modern gallery of colour photographs of HB yachts, and a thoughtful and illuminating Foreword by Ed Burnett, one of today's foremost designers of yachts in the classic English idiom.

An essential guide to tying knots in splash proof ring bound format

This full colour, clearly illustrated book covers cover the top 10 knots everyone should know, plus coiling and throwing a rope, and whipping (stopping the end unravelling). It is part of of Fernhurst's highly popular Companion series.

All "Companion" books feature essential information - colour coded for instant access. Designed to withstand the rigours of on-board use they are splash proof, ringbound and printed on durable laminated card.Everyone needs knots: sailors, fishermen, girl guides, etc.Features the 10 knots everyone should know.Colour sequences of drawings show how to tie the knot, step-by-step.The use, good and bad points of each knot is highlighted.Splash proof ring bound format.

In the heartland of America rise the Ozark Mountains, teeming with cascading, free-flowing streams. Situated astride the Missouri/Arkansas border, the Ozarks represent a canoeing and kayaking wonderland. Still a comprehensive, accurate and readable guide, but now with a new design and format, "A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks (formerly" Ozark Whitewater) catalogs the varied rivers of the region. Inside are updated descriptions of all the classic rivers, including the Buffalo National and Little Missouri, as well as exciting new reports of today's steep creek runs: Bryant, Turkey, and many others. This guide is the definitive sourcebook for Ozark river sport.

Boating Essentials references everything a boater needs to know about boating laws, safe operation of water craft (including boats, sailboats and jet skis), useful knots, navigation, signals, weather, boating hazards and emergency first aid. An indispensable reference, it is the perfect companion to have on hand whenever you are on the water. Made in the USA.