Why will a sailor never go to sea on Friday 13th? Why are boats always referred to as 'she'? How do you navigate the ocean without a compass? Does the Bermuda Triangle really exist? Why do sailors wear earrings? Did Blackbeard actually exist? Did Nelson really say 'Kiss me, Hardy'? What is the correct way to bury a body at sea? Why is a rope never called a rope? This fascinating collection of maritime folklore and trivia delves into the history, science and culture of the sea, and is packed full of entertaining, surprising and insightful facts, from the delightfully obscure to the amusingly quaint, including everyday expressions that have their origins on board ship. It is a complete treasure trove for young and old alike. Topics include: sailors and superstitions; ships and shipbuilding; navigation and seamanship; pirates and smugglers; fish and fishermen; coasts and oceans; tides and weather; art and literature of the sea.

Every spring, paddlers from around the world migrate to eastern North America in pursuit of the massive early season flows. b.EAST follows some of the most committed and accomplished on this journey. With challenging, awe inspiring whitewater, b.EAST takes you on a though provoking ride that offers a window into the soul of the sport.

The Reeds Looseleaf Update Pack provides all the information required to navigate Atlantic coastal waters around the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, and the entire European coastline from the tip of Denmark right down to Gibraltar, the Azores and Madeira. A versatile system that combines almanac and pilotage information in a convenient looseleaf form, the Looseleaf Almanac is inserted into a durable binder which stays open on the chart table and lets the user tailor the Almanac to their needs by personalising the contents supplied with whatever information they may want to add or take out. The Update Pack 2024 is for those who have bought the Reeds Looseleaf Almanac in previous years and just want to update their information rather than buy the binder again. Includes 700 harbour chartlets, harbour facilities, tide tables and streams, 7,500 waypoints, international codes and flags, weather, distance tables, passage advice, area planning charts, rules of the road, radio information, communications, safety, documentation and customs. The 2023 edition is updated throughout, containing over 45,000 changes. Also includes a free Reeds Marina Guide. Also available: free supplements of up-to-date navigation changes from January to June at: www.reedsnauticalalmanac.co.uk "There are some things I would not go to sea without - Reeds is one of them" Sir Chay Blyth "The big, bold, extravagantly comprehensive king of Almanacs" Yachting World "On every cruising boat you'll find one of these. Don't start your engines without it" Motor Boat and Yachting "The bible of almanacs" Classic Boat

Kayaking, canoeing and sailing are exhilarating, demanding and hugely enjoyable outdoor pursuits. This practical guide offers a comprehensive introduction to all three sports, for those at all levels of experience and ability. All aspects of each sport are covered, from basic information on equipment and where best to sail or paddle, to expert tuition on the core skills and techniques you will need - such as launching, rigging, tacking, paddling, capsizing and rescue. Packed with expert advice, professional hints and tips and illustrated with more than 1500 photographs and diagrams, this book contains everything you need to know about these thrilling aquatic sports.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the basic theoretical work required by Marine Engineering Officers and Electrotechnical Officers (ETOs), putting into place key fundamental building blocks and topics in electrotechnology before progressing to more complex topics and electromagnetic systems. Volume 6 covers essential basic electrotechnology principles for the 21st century, including the fundamentals of electron theory, AC and DC current, circuits, electromagnetism and electrochemistry, providing a firm foundation for complementary Volume 7 in the Marine Engineering Series to discuss emergent technology such as image intensifers, the transistor, increased maritime use of LEDs, and references to modern ship systems such as GPS, ECDIS, Radar and AIS. This new edition has been thoroughly updated in line with guidelines, best practice and the many technological developments that have taken place over the past 5 years since the previous edition published, as well as improvements and updates to the technical diagrams.

What is the best shape for a sailboat? How does turbulence affect a sailboat's movement through the water? Why do some keels have wings? Is it true that some sailboats can sail faster upwind than downwind? Authoritative yet accessible, The Physics of Sailing Explained is the perfect book for all those sailors who want to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of life at sea. It will enable cruisers and racers alike to better grasp how sails, keels, and hulls work together to keep boats afloat, and will sharpen their skills with a more subtle and thorough appreciation of why various boat design features are present and why certain tactics work in certain situations. Anderson outlines the science behind sailing in a way that anyone can understand and benefit from without having to trudge through a physics text or became a naval architect. Concepts are conveyed simply, concisely, and with many examples and illustrations. With the help of this invaluable book, sailors will be better prepared to handle any situations that might arise on the water.

For readers of Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit" and "Unbroken," the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics
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"Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.
The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious team. They remind the country of what can be done when everyone quite literally pulls together--a perfect melding of commitment, determination, and optimism.
Drawing on the boys' own diaries and journals, their photos and memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, "The Boys in the Boat "is an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times--the improbable, intimate story of nine working-class boys from the American west who, in the depths of the Great Depression, showed the world what true grit really meant. It will appeal to readers of Erik Larson, Timothy Egan, James Bradley, and David Halberstam's "The Amateurs."

'The inventions, the innovations, the stories, the surprises. A combination of history, reference and entertainment - something for every seafarer and many others too.' - Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence People have been sailing for thousands of years, but we've come some distance from longboats and clippers. How did we arrive here? In fifty tales of inventors and innovations, Sails, Skippers and Sextants looks at the history of one of our most enjoyable pastimes, from the monarch who pioneered English yachting to the engineer who invented sailboards. The stories are sometimes inspiring, usually amusing and often intriguing - so grab your lifejacket, it's going to be quite an adventure.

For all those who love boats, their 'lines' are an essential element in the appreciation of individual craft. But what are these lines and how are they created? This book introduces the reader to the key principles of yacht design in a straightforward and understandable manner, allowing them to be aware of the elements and processes involved. Most of the complex maths has been replaced with simple rules of thumb. Any boat owner will benefit from understanding the characteristics of boat design which will help them if they want to modify the hull, rig, deck layout or accommodation. It will be equally useful to boat buyers who want to ask questions like: "How will she sail?"; "How much will she cost?"; "How easy is it to change things?" and "How can I reduce or increase sail area without upsetting the balance?" Boat owners and buyers will be able to feel more confident when talking to designers and boatbuilders about their current or future boat. While novice boat designers can start their journey with this book, giving them a good foundation whether they want to use pencil and paper or Computer-Aided Design. So, if you are any of the above, or simply have an interest in yacht design, this is the book for you!

‘This book is a must-have for any serious racing sailor’ – Sir Ben Ainslie, four-time Olympic gold winning sailor Paul Elvstrøm is arguably the greatest Olympic sailor of all time. Proving that understanding the rules is crucial to winning, he devised this unique approach to explaining them using bird’s-eye diagrams. His detailed explanations are applied to myriad racing situations, each cross-referenced to relevant case studies provided by World Sailing (formerly ISAF). Included with the book are a set of plastic boats, for use during protest hearings. They are transparent but coloured differently so can also be used with an overhead projector. This edition is completely revised to cover the new rules issued for 2021–24. It includes the full text of the latest rules, with a handy quick-reference guide highlighting the latest changes. There is also a confidence-building section on how to present your case in a protest, and the back cover shows the signal flags for instant easy reference on the race course. Long established as the most accessible and most trusted guide to the racing rules, Elvstrøm Explains is a must-have. Whether racing in a dinghy, keelboat or large yacht, it is the perfect pocket reference for those who want to win.