There are few people who can resist the appeal of gliding over the open sea in a trim and handsome yacht, or the glamour of the great international yachting challenges. Unlike dinghy sailing, yachting offers the opportunity to cruise in comfort to exotic destinations, and advances in design and technology make today's boats safer and better appointed than ever before
But getting started can be a complex and costly business. The Yachting Handbook is aimed at the sailor who wants to move up to bigger, more advanced craft. The book covers the basics - technical, legal and financial - of buying the right vessel and fitting it out for your needs, as well as the care and maintenance of hull, rigging, engine, water and electrical systems. Chapters on navigation (both celestial and electronic) and weather and tides will offer the essentials of these complex and fascinating subjects, and chapters on planning cruises, cruising routes and races will provide inspiration for anyone who's ever dreamed of venturing beyond the harbour mouth.
There is comprehensive coverage of emergency procedures. Illustrated throughout in full colour, The Yachting Handbook will appeal to sailors of all experience levels. Contents include: Choosing a cruising yacht; Preparing your yacht; Communications and Navigation; Weather; Safety and Emergencies; Cruising and Cruising destinations; and Racing.

Having skippered and delivered in excess of 750 Motor Cruisers over the past 40 years, totalling a distance equivalent to 29 times around the world, has provided me with a number of adventurous and sometimes hair-raising stories to tell. Thankfully, I have lived to tell the tales! "Homeward Bound" starts with daily notes of the author's last single-handed voyage from the south of France to the south coast of England. In between these notes he recalls some of his memorable adventures, which he tells in such a way that the reader could almost be there with him, often experiencing how quickly a difficult situation at sea can turn into a disastrous one. Although showing the serious side of sailing there is also a fair amount of humour in his writing. An enjoyable and entertaining read.

Long established as the bible for long-distance cruisers and a bestseller for more than 25 years, World Cruising Routes is the indispensable planning guide to nearly 1,000 sailing routes covering all the oceans of the world from the tropical South Seas to the high latitudes of the Arctic and Antarctic, geared specifically to the needs of cruising sailors. It contains information on the winds, currents, regional and seasonal weather, as well as suggestions about optimum times for individual routes. This new, fully revised and updated 9th edition assesses how changes around the world (including Brexit and Covid) have affected cruising routes and how climatic change has altered the cruising landscape and necessitated adaptations in timing and route-planning. It provides over 6,000 waypoints to assist skippers in planning individual routes, and is the perfect one-stop reference for planning a cruise anywhere in the world. 'The most important book for long-distance voyagers to come along in decades.' Cruising World

A lot of people are drawn to the sea, and for good reason - it's the world's last wild and largely unspoilt wilderness. But to properly enjoy the sea, and to do so safely, you must have the skills, knowledge and confidence to plan thoroughly and stay one step ahead of the game. This book is thoughtfully written to help yachtsmen do just that. It's not another navigation textbook; it's written by a mariner for other mariners. It's well-informed, easy to read and honest about the author's triumphs and disasters over a lifetime's navigating. He has a unique perspective having navigated in many parts of the world from high up on the bridge of a warship, close to the water in a cruising yacht and at depth in a submarine. After his navy career he was Chief Executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), often dealing with the consequences of poor navigation. The author brings the subject to life in a book that is designed to help yachtsmen refresh their knowledge of, and their enthusiasm for, the timeless skills of navigation. It is packed with hundreds of illustrations - colour photographs, charts, diagrams and tables - making the text easy to understand. The book is part of Fernhurst Books' Skipper's Library series of practical books for the cruising sailor.

This is a modern sailor's logbook. Fun to use and designed to last a full season. Allows space for electronic navigation information and for narrative. It also doubles as a visitors' book.

Make the most of your time ashore with Adlard Coles Shore Guide to South Brittany. With the sailing behind you, you'll be looking to explore your destination, asking questions such as: How far to the nearest shops and where are the places to eat? You'll also need help to solve practical problems, such as finding fuel, repairs and laundry facilities. Once you're fed and watered, what is there to see and do, and how can you keep the family entertained? You need a different kind of pilot book and this guide is the answer. Packed with beautiful photographs and practical information on local facilities, places to visit and the best beaches within reach of the marina, Adlard Coles Shore Guide to South Brittany will steer you towards the essentials and the pleasures of this beautiful and popular region. Written especially for sailors and designed for planning enjoyable cruises, stretching from the rock-bound shores of western Brittany to the softer and warmer parts towards La Rochelle, this handy-sized travel guide is the perfect resource for anyone cruising this coastline. Paul Heiney, a hugely experienced sailor, journalist and author, describes the marinas, big and small, worth visiting as well as the welcoming harbours and string of peaceful islands to explore.

Today, yachts are often equipped with electrical windlasses, autopilot, bow thrusters, etc. This equipment has also become much more reliable, making it possible to make long offshore passages without much knowledge of seamanship. However, as the coastguards in many countries can confirm, more and more yachts require assistance, even when they should be able to reach harbour on their own. In this book you will be shown the traditional techniques you should be familiar with - regarding rope handling, manoeuvring and anchoring - in order to make long or short passages safely. Each element is clearly explained alongside detailed illustrations, combining to make a straightforward and easy-to-follow guide. Although yacht gear is becoming more and more reliable, you can be almost sure that, sooner or later, it will fail or you will be out of electrical power to use it. Learning the traditional techniques may not only be necessary but is also both interesting and fun. Instead of waking up the entire harbour in the early hours with the noise of your bow thruster, you may, alternatively, use a spring line to get safely moored to or leave the pontoon quietly. 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.

The first logbook written specifically for skippers and navigators of powered craft sports a unique design that makes it equally suitable for use on small boats and luxury motor cruisers loaded to the gills with sophisticated electronic gadgetry. Within its 96 pages, the log offers enough space to record more than 80 passages. Also featured are sections designated for an engine and fuel log, equipment service records, serial numbers, waypoints, store lists, a stowage plan, and a crew names and addresses.

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.

Learn the essentials of seamanship from one of the world's premier boating organizationsDeveloped and refined through 40 years of Coast Guard Auxiliary training courses, Boating Skills and Seamanship is your perfect introduction to recreational boating's fundamentals. Great for beginning and intermediate powerboaters alike, it offers you the basics of choosing, equipping, and handling a small to midsize powerboat. This updated edition of the Coast Guard Auxiliary'sclassic boating skills manual will answer all yourquestions on: Selecting the right boat--whether a 10-foot skiff or a 35-foot cruiserEssential equipment, both required and recommendedThe latest electronic navigationPersonal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and private communication services, e.g., SPOT devices and othersStability and safe loadingBoat handling and seamanship on coastal and inland watersTrailering a boatNavigation and the rules of the nautical roadAnd much more! Approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), with chapter review questions and answers, Boating Skills and Seamanship is theideal study and reference guide for anyone taking a state boating license exam or seeking better boating skills and knowledge.

Pearson's canal companions encourage visitors, explain the lie of the land and provide a lasting souvenir of journeys made. This new 9th edition of the Stourport & Black Country Rings and Birmingham Canal Navigations Canal Companion marks a new format: theextent has increased from 96 to 160 pages, maps from 41 to 48 and photographs from 65 to 153. Coverage within this Canal Companion include: River Severn (Worcester-Stourport); Staffs & Worcs Canal (Stourport to Great Haywood); BCN Main Line (Aldersley to Birmingham); Worcs & Birmingham Canal (Birmingham to Worcester); Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (Birmingham-Fazeley); Coventry Canal (Fazeley-Fradley); Trent and Mersey Canal (Fradley-Great Haywood); Stourbridge & Dudley Canals (Stourton-Netherton); BCN Northern Waters (Wolverhampton-Walsall-Brownhills).

A handy, splash-proof, on-the-water summary of the key things you need to know about navigation at sea: the perfect quick reference guide to keep onboard. The book covers all the navigation essentials: charts, compass, tides, standard and secondary ports, dead reckoning, estimated position, course to steer, lights, GPS, waypoints and buoyage in a highly illustrated format making it easy to understand at a glance - ideal for those moments when you need an answer, and you need it fast! Spiral bound, this little companion stands up to frequent use and serves as a great aide-memoire.

This beautiful full-colour book covers knots, splices and whippings. It begins with the ten knots everyone should know. The other knots are grouped by use so that if, for example, you want to make a loop you have eight knots to choose from. Each stage of each knot is illustrated and its uses, strong points and weak points are highlighted.

Diesel engines are installed in just about every yacht and in most large motorboats and, while professional help is often at hand, sometimes it is not. Indeed, engine failure is one of the most frequent causes of RNLI launches. This book explains how to prevent problems, troubleshoot and make repairs using safe techniques. It could also help you save money on expensive bills for yard work you could do yourself. Diesels Afloat covers everything from how the diesel engine works to engine electrics, from fault finding to out of season layup. With this guide and your engine's manual you can get the best performance from your boat's engine and be confident in dealing with any problem. The book covers the syllabus of the RYA Diesel Engine and MCA Approved Engine (AEC-1) courses. This edition has been thoroughly modernised and updated by former course lecturer and currently chief engineer on merchant ships, Callum Smedley.

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

First published in 1988 as West Country Cruising, Mark Fishwick's definitive sailing guide for the ever-attractive coastline of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly combines a skilful blend of pilotage and cruising information, with historical insight and suggestions of where to eat and what to do ashore. For those who plan to head west, this book is more than essential reading - it will enhance your enjoyment and prove to be a worthy and much used addition to the ship's library. Those already in the west will find themselves regularly thumbing its pages. Share Mark Fishwick's passion for this region which combines with his in-depth knowledge from a lifetime cruising these waters to create a text which will inspire and inform you. It is enhanced with colour charts and detailed photography, including spectacular aerial shots of ports, harbours and anchorages, many taken in 2020. This latest, ninth, edition is fully updated for publication and further updates are provided every Spring on the Fernhurst Books' website. More than one satisfied reader has aptly described the book as "the perfect on-board companion".

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.

The tale of Crusader, the jet-powered boat of 1952, appears to be a simple one about the ambition of John Cobb and Reid Railton, two unassuming but deeply gifted men, to break the water speed record on Loch Ness only for their efforts to end in tragedy. In fact the story behind that fateful outcome - Cobb's death on his first high-speed run - is a complex web of clever design and inspirational endeavour mixed with personality clashes and errors of judgement. After many years of research, including access to a wealth of original documentation, Steve Holter unravels the entire saga of the ill-fated Crusader and presents a compelling detective story.

Whether planning a day sail or a longer passage, at home, at the wheel or at the chart table, the Skipper's Cockpit Navigation Guide is the perfect at-a-glance handbook for all skippers and crew. It covers all the essential navigation skills and techniques with a user friendly, easy to follow and succinct approach. Spiral bound to lie flat, and with laminated splash-proof pages, it is the hands-free ready reckoner to help you get where you want to go. Written in clear, practical language, with clear photos, step-by-step diagrams and actual chart extracts, the book covers: - Using nautical charts - Understanding buoys, marks and lights - Using the compass, log and depth gauge - Plotting positions (including by dead reckoning), courses and bearings - Understanding tides (heights, streams, including using tide tables) and currents - Factoring in the weather - Making a passage plan, keeping a logbook, and more An essential title to have on board, this accessible book is aimed at skippers and crews of all levels, whether as a primer for those new to navigating or the perfect aide-memoire for those with prior experience.

SeaWise for Motor Yachts provides step-by-step, concise, reliable plans for emergencies at sea that require fast and effective action. Designed for functionality, it has two sides: an Emergency Action Guide with instructions for specific problems, from fire and floods to man overboard and dangerous weather; and Safety Checklists, used to prepare the vessel and crew for voyages. A tab-based flip book design makes the guide easy to use for fast and effective responses, with 26 multi-tabbed sections covering a wide range of topics and situations. Some sections allow boat owners to customize the information to their craft. The information is based on extensive research and personal experience. This guide, the first of its kind, is printed on waterproof paper, packaged in a plastic case with mounting strips, and ready to be placed in an easily accessible location. It is designed for both professional and recreational vessels; a companion guide is available for sailing yachts.

The Complete Yachtmaster has been a bestseller since first publication and has established itself as the standard reference for Yachtmaster students as well as skippers of all levels of experience. In this fully revised and up-to-date 10th edition, Tom Cunliffe brings together all the essentials of modern cruising in one volume. He presents an analysis of a good skipper, the theory and practice of sailing and sail trim, the art of seamanship, accurate navigation including chart plotters and PCs, understanding meteorology, heavy weather preparation, understanding yacht stability and coping with emergencies. The Complete Yachtmaster builds knowledge as it builds sailing confidence, guiding examination candidates as authoritatively and reassuringly through the RYA syllabus as a sea pilot bringing a ship safely to harbour. Required reading for all skippers and budding skippers, both on board or in the classroom. ‘A gem, distilled from decades of experience' Yachting Monthly ‘Cunliffe's competence and authority radiate from the pages... thoroughly recommended' Little Ship Club 'There are all too few authors who not only know their subject but can write well about it. Tom Cunliffe is one' Cruising

The long-awaited update of this best-selling pilot guide covering the whole spectacular North Brittany coast, the Channel Islands and the fascinating harbours on the west side of the Cherbourg peninsula. Packed with comprehensive pilotage and nautical information as well as suggestions of where to eat and what to do ashore: an authoritative guide designed to help you make the most of your visit to this fabulous area. It is enhanced with colour charts and detailed photography, including spectacular aerial shots of ports, harbours and anchorages. Share Peter & Jane's joy of cruising in this fabulous area which has enabled them to create a text which will inspire and inform you and help you love the area as much as they do. Reading Peter's wonderful prose in advance of your cruise you will almost feel you are there already. When you do make landfall, you will be reassured by the pilotage descriptions which will give you the confidence to tackle even the most challenging approaches. And once you have berthed you will know where to head for that celebratory meal of incomparable French cuisine. And that's only the start of your cruise! This third edition is fully updated for publication and further updates are provided every Spring on the Fernhurst Books' website.