A sailboat tossed about on rough seas will struggle to find a smooth course, balancing itself through wind and water. The human experience is a succession of balancing maneuvers as we resolve conflicts, find love, and merely exist from day to day. Grigg shows one how to be like a sailboat -- steady, adaptable, serene, and powerful.

A former officer of Marines, who has logged much time aboard vessels ranging from aircraft carriers to destroyers to amphibious landing craft, presents a no-frills nautical dictionary written for the modern sailing lifestyle.

"Possibly the best book on racing tactics ever written." —Ted Jones, Dolphin Book Club News

Today far more sailors than ever before have reached a superior level of competitive ability, and the few individuals who remain at the head of the competitive classes year and after year must contantly improve their skills. This book will help the sailor analyze for himself the determinants of tactical success.

One of the foremost theoreticians of the art of yacht racing, Stuart H. Walker is also an outstanding practicing racer. For eight years Dr. Walker kept a complete record of the factors that determined the outcome of every race in which he competed. The recommendations he offers in Advanced Racing Tactics are based upon the analysis of these races—the mistakes and the successes. He sets forth basic principles of starting, beating, reaching, and mark rounding that should be practiced every time, and he underlines what mattered, what consistently provided an advantage.

The advanced racing skipper, Dr. Walker writes, must look around, examine his own mistakes and successes, record them, review them, remember them. When he recognizes from this own experience the validity of the principles presented here, they will become useful to him. When he has incorporated them into his regular racing patterns, he will have made a five- or ten-year leap forward.

The 1866 transatlantic yacht race was a match that saw three yachts battle their way across the Atlantic in the dead of winter in pursuit of a $90,000 prize. Six men died in the brutal and close-fought contest, and the event changed the perception of yachting from a slightly effete gentlemen's pursuit into something altogether more rugged and adventurous. The race also symbolized the beginning of America's 'gilded age', with its associated obscene wealth and largesse (the $90,000 prize put up by the three contestants is about $15 million in today's money), as well as the thawing of relations between the US and UK. The narrative focuses on the victorious yacht Henrietta and her owner James Gordon Bennett. Bennett was the son of the multimillionaire proprietor of the New York Herald, and a notorious playboy. His infamous stunts included driving his carriage through the streets of New York naked, tipping a railway porter $30,000, and turning up at his own engagement party blind drunk and mistaking the fire for a urinal, which led to the coining of the phrase 'Gordon Bennett!'. However, Bennett was also a serious yachtsman and had served with distinction during the civil war aboard Henrietta, and he was the only owner to be aboard his own boat during the race. Other characters include Bennett's captain Samuel Samuels (legendary clipper skipper, ex-convict and occasional vaudeville actor), financier Leonard Jerome, aboard Henrietta as race invigilator (he also happened to be grandfather to Winston Churchill) and Stephen Fisk, a journalist so desperate to cover the race that he evaded a summons to appear as a witness in court and instead smuggled himself aboard Henrietta in a crate of champagne. Using the framework of the race to discuss the various historical themes, there's ample drama, and the diverse and eccentric range of characters ensure that this is a book laced with plenty of human interest, scandal and adventure.

The author discusses the several types of modern sailboats suitable for various conditions and localities and establishes the basic sea language needed. Then, in clear and simple text, with plenty of diagrams and drawings, he takes the reader aboard his boat, hoists the sails, drops his mooring and conducts him through all the sailing evolutions until he has confidence in himself and may safely and joyfully join America's great fleet of sailing craft. Dangers are pointed out and instructions given on their avoidance. Included are brief data on elementary navigation, seamanship, tuning up, maintenance and the many allied arts of the owner-skipper in sufficient scope for him to care for a protect his craft. The old hand, too, will find here a refresher with which to perfect his own sailing habits and techniques. The author, Carl D. Lane, has many years of sailing experience to draw upon and has written two other standard books in the field, The Boatman's Manual and Boatowner's Sheet Anchor.

"High Performance Sailing" is now regarded as the bible of racing sailors and carries a string of endorsements from high achievers. Since its publication in 1984, racing yachts and dinghies have developed out of all recognition - a new high-tech breed of 'apparent wind' fast racers has claimed the water and so far no-one has applied themselves seriously to analysing what makes these boats sail fast (and what will make them faster).This is Frank Bethwaite's ground-breaking achievement in "Higher Performance Sailing". By means of extensive research, and working with sailors of different racing calibre, Bethwaite analyses how to harness the apparent wind for increased speed and better position on your rivals. "Higher Performance Sailing" will provide the key to racing sailors' dreams. 'It represents a breakthrough. It is a book that my Olympic squad will benefit from' - Rod Carr, former British Olympic Sailing Team Manager. 'Allowed only one "if only" in yacht racing, it would have been to have read "Higher Performance Sailing" years ago' - Bob Fisher, journalist, broadcaster and international championship winner.

A new classic from one of the worlds most respected sailing authors

More than 35 years ago, Hal Roth quit his job as a journalist and went sailing. Since then, hes logged more than 200,000 sea miles. Along the way, Roth also has authored eight voyaging classics, including the 1978 bestseller After 50,000 Miles.

Taking that book as its starting point, this handsome new volume incorporates the new technologies and discoveries of the last quarter century along with another 150,000 miles of experience.

A compendium of mature, time-tested sea wisdom from one of the worlds most respected sailing writers, How to Sail Around the World will tell the reader:

• How to choose and equip a sailboat for long-distance cruising, with an emphasis on simplicity and a modest budget
  
• How to plan and conduct a voyage anywhere in the world
  
• How to master the arts of navigation, anchoring, and daily life aboard in exotic places
  
• How to cope with storms at sea--the most complete and authoritative treatise on this critical topic ever published
  

The Reeds Western Almanac covers the coastline from Cape Wrath to Padstow as well as the whole of Ireland, and is ideal for any boater lucky enough to cruise and race in the superb waters off the coast of Wales, Western Scotland, Ireland or Western England. Completely updated for 2024, it offers ready access to essential navigation information by virtue of its clear layout and user friendly format. Topics include seamanship, pilotage, tide tables, safety procedures, navigation tips, radio, lights, waypoints, weather forecast information, communications, Mayday and distress procedures. The large type size and clear layout, including full colour harbour plans and diagrams throughout, makes information easy to read even in adverse conditions. It is the complete guide for both Irish and Welsh mariners as well as those cruising the UK west coast. 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

With Sailing: The Basics, acclaimed teacher and racer Dave Franzel moves you quickly from book to boat. It is his firm conviction that the best and most effective way to learn to sail is to be out on the water. Accordingly, he treats the theory of sailing in a straightforward, no-nonsense fashion-just the way he's done so successfully for decades at his Boston Sailing Center, and more recently, his St. Thomas Sailing Center. The essential information in this book is comprehensive, effectively reinforced, and clarified with more than 100 excellent line drawings. New to this edition is a discussion of advances in electronic navigation and weather apps. Also new is a section on the use of asymmetrical spinnakers. Sailing: The Basics is exactly what it says it is. After studying this book, you'll understand the fundamental concepts well enough to be confident of your abilities when you board your boat for the first time. You'll learn how to sail on and off moorings and docks, how to trim the sails, and how to balance the boat properly. You will be introduced to the rules of the road, anchoring, navigation, spinnaker sailing, heavy-weather sailing, and basic seamanship. In short, you'll have all the keys to a successful, fun, and safe time under sail.

Humankind has always been fascinated by the magic of the ocean, its power and unpredictability. The open sea awakens a desire to set forth and sail, but also the urge to step back in awe and fear. Today, however, our oceans are more threatened than ever before. Worldwide plastic waste pollution and industrial fishing threaten the existence of countless ocean species. Global warming and the resulting climate change are leading to ever greater damage of the marine ecosystem.

This highly practical guide explains what sail trim is all about - how to achieve it and what its benefits are. Aimed at owners and crews sailing all types of boats, from dinghies to offshore cruisers, with either masthead or fractional rigs, it covers: - mainsails and headsails - trim for light airs, medium strength and strong winds - trim for beating, reaching and running - correct camber and mast rake - weather helm - causes and cures - easy reference trimming tables How to Trim Sails will help racers and cruisers of all levels of experience get the best performance from their boats and sails. 'Any owner will find help here in unravelling the mysteries of sail shape, as it is affected by mast bend, luff tension and the rest' Practical Boat Owner

A comprehensive guide to help you identify and equip the boat that best suits your needs

Well-known boating writer Charles Doane unravels the complexity of cruising sailboat design and explains the fundamentals and the ramifications of each design decision. In easy-to-understand terms, Doane explains theoretical aspects of design, pragmatic issues like keel shape and berth configuration, pros and cons of various construction methods and materials, outfitting, propulsion, rigging and much more.

No Excuse to Lose is the book Dennis Conner still refers to as "the bible," He says (Time magazine, 9 February 1987), "I like to compete. I guess I don't dislike it, but my sailing is just bottom line, like adding up the score in bridge. My real interest is in the tremendous game of life."

In February 2001 twenty-four year old Ellen MacArthur completed the Vendée Globe, the world’s toughest race. As the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe singlehanded and as the fastest woman to ever have done so, her achievement was remarkable. But how had a young woman from landlocked Derbyshire come to find a new home among the waves?

In Taking on the World, Ellen tells her story, from saving pennies to buy her first boat through sailing around Britain as a teenager to racing the Vendee Globe itself. Enthralling and inspiring in equal measure, its shows how courage, passion and determination can overcome all obstacles – and how one young woman made her dreams come true.

Yachtmaster for Sail and Power is a major reference book that has proved invaluable for the many sailors following the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore course. This highly respected and refreshingly practical study guide covers the whole syllabus in detail, all illustrated with colour photographs, charts and worked examples throughout. It covers: * Chartwork - with useful worked examples * Electronic navigation - how to use the latest technology for safe navigation: radar, electronic chart plotting and GPS * Pilotage - buoyage fully explained and illustrated * Communications - the latest information on maritime communications including GMDSS * Weather - the elements of meteorology, weather sources and forecasts * Safety and survival - new SOLAS regulations * Stability and buoyancy - principles simply explained Including the latest updates, new artwork and a modern, user-friendly design, this fifth edition compliments the syllabus and assists with exam preparation. It's an essential companion for anyone enrolling on the RYA Yachtmaster course, whether for sail or power.

Day Skipper Exercises is a partner to the Day Skipper for Sail and Power course book, providing extra practice for students, helping them to absorb the theory in the main book. It contains practice test papers with fully explained answers, on all parts of the Day Skipper course, whether sail or power. It covers: - Chartwork - Tides - Pilotage and passage planning - Seamanship - Anchorwork - Ropework - Rules of the road A free practice chart is included, as well as extracts from tide tables, tidal curves, almanacs and pilotage notes so that students can complete the questions without the need for any other material. It is an ideal exam revision guide and invaluable practice for anyone wanting to brush up on their practical navigation skills. This second edition is updated throughout to take in the latest changes to the syllabus.

New love. Exotic destinations.
A once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
What could go wrong? City girl Torre DeRoche isn't looking for love, but a chance encounter in a San Francisco bar sparks an instant connection with a soulful Argentinean man who unexpectedly sweeps her off her feet. The problem? He's just about to cast the dock lines and voyage around the world on his small sailboat, and Torre is terrified of deep water. However, lovesick Torre determines that to keep the man of her dreams, she must embark on the voyage of her nightmares, so she waves good-bye to dry land and braces for a life-changing journey that's as exhilarating as it is terrifying. Somewhere mid-Pacific, she finds herself battling to keep the old boat, the new relationship, and her floundering sanity afloat. . . . This sometimes hilarious, often harrowing, and always poignant memoir is set against a backdrop of the world's most beautiful and remote destinations. Equal parts love story and travel memoir, "Love with a Chance of Drowning" is witty, charming, and proof positive that there are some risks worth taking.""

Reeds Superyacht Manual, published in association with Bluewater Training, is the first and the best reference manual for everyone involved with yachts large and small, under sail or power, from deckhands to skippers and owners. There is extensive coverage for leisure and professional yachtsmen including: - key information for all required courses at all levels from STCW crew basic training through RYA Yachtmaster (TM) Offshore to MCA Officer of the Watch (Yacht) - comprehensive treatment of: safety, sea survival, first aid, fire fighting, navigation, seamanship, meteorology, marine radio and general ship knowledge - additional section on marine law including international and flag state requirements - easy guide to the Collision Regulations as well as their full text Well illustrated and user-friendly, this is the complete reference for all those involved with private or commercial yachts worldwide.

Knife-edge decisions, adrenalin rushes, extreme weather, bitter rivalries, heart-stopping races - they are all in a day's work for Ben Ainslie. Against all odds, in the London 2012 Olympics Ben Ainslie thrillingly won a fourth successive gold medal, making him the greatest ever Olympic sailor and a British hero, chosen from many to be the flag bearer for the closing ceremony. From his proudest moment representing Team GB, to one tough decision that almost risked destroying his career, this is a unique insight into the man who cannot let himself be second best. It shows what really takes place in the white heat of competition and lifts the lid on this toughest of sports. REVISED AND UPDATED FOR PAPERBACK TO INCLUDE LONDON 2012.