The Complete Day Skipper: Skippering with Confidence Right From the Start

by Tom Cunliffe

A practical hands-on manual that covers the Day Skipper syllabus in a step-by-step learning system designed to get you straight on the water.

The Complete Day Skipper is a totally practical hands-on manual that covers the RYA Day Skipper syllabus in a way that reflects a skipper's growing experience at sea, beginning with yacht handling under power, moving on to boat husbandry and sailing skills, and from there to the realistic use of modern electronic navigation systems. Eminently readable and very down to earth, this fully revised sixth edition has become required reading for all skippers in their early years as well as more experienced sailors who choose not to venture far afield. As one of Britain's best-known instructors and writers on seamanship, Tom Cunliffe provides just the right blend of advice, instruction, inspiration and encouragement.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2016

About the author

Tom Cunliffe (born 1947) is a British yachting journalist, author and broadcaster.

Cunliffe has been a regular contributor to Yachting Monthly, Yachting World, Sail magazine, Classic Boat and 'Sailing Today' for many years.

A professional writer since 1986, Cunliffe has won the Best Book of the Sea award twice, for Topsail and Battleaxe and Hand, Reef and Steer.[4] He is author of the important Shell Channel Pilot for the English Channel.

In 2010 he presented the award-winning six-part BBC documentary series, The Boats that Built Britain. He also presented the popular 'Boat Yard' series for Discovery TV. He now has a big following on his Youtube channel, 'Yachts and Yarns'.

Reviews

[Mandy Haggith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, though I wished there was more on ropes, sails and tackle, and the dynamics of wind and sail. Still as a logical guide for re-starting to sail, it has been really helpful.

[Jay Waghray · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE book on intro sailing ⛵️

[jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you wanted to learn how to drive a car in the UK, would you read a driver's training manual written for California drivers? No, you wouldn't. The same goes for this book written for the novice sailor in the UK. There is, of course, basic sailing information common to any sailboat. But, with so much slang, jargon, obscure local references and local customs, the aspiring California sailor would be far better off finding another book to get started. You can skip this one.

[P D Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

Good overview of the syllabus with lots of practical knowledge highly recommended good stories of real world experiences from an experienced skipper

[Joseph Hedberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent enough book. Some complain that the tone is too conversational, but I found that's exactly what really makes this readable cover to cover. The major drawback is that this will unlikely help you pass your RYA Day Skipper if that is your goal. The topics that are really important for examination purposes (tides, plotting, course to steer, and colregs) are covered with about the same level of depth as common courtesy associated with rafting up. If you're goal is just to skipper your own boat without care for the certifications, you might just jump right to Cunliffe's yachtmaster book if you're keen enough.

[paul hayes griffin]

Excellent revision on sailing

Excellent. Condensed and to the point in an easy way to absorb the important info you need to safely sail