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Sailing for Dummies
Interested in learning to sail but feel like you're navigating in murky waters? Sailing for Dummies, Second Edition introduces the basics of sailing, looks at the different types of sailboats and their basic parts, and teaches you everything you need to know before you leave the dock. In Sailing for Dummies, Second Edition, two U.S. sailing champions show you how to:
Find and choose a sailing school Use life jackets correctly Tie ten nautical knots Handle sailing emergencies (such as capsizing and rescuing a man overboard) Launch your boat from a trailer, ramp, or beach Get your boat from point A to point B (and back again) Predict and respond to water and wind conditions Read charts, plot your course, use a compass, and find your position at sea Sailing for Dummies shows you that getting out on the water is easier than you think. The authors keep the sailor-speak to a minimum where possible, but give you a grasp of the terminology you need to safely and effectively communicate with your crew. A textbook, user's manual, and reference all in one, this book takes the intimidation out of sailing and gives you the skills and confidence you need to get your feet wet and become the sailing pro you've always wanted to be. Anchors away!
Find and choose a sailing school Use life jackets correctly Tie ten nautical knots Handle sailing emergencies (such as capsizing and rescuing a man overboard) Launch your boat from a trailer, ramp, or beach Get your boat from point A to point B (and back again) Predict and respond to water and wind conditions Read charts, plot your course, use a compass, and find your position at sea Sailing for Dummies shows you that getting out on the water is easier than you think. The authors keep the sailor-speak to a minimum where possible, but give you a grasp of the terminology you need to safely and effectively communicate with your crew. A textbook, user's manual, and reference all in one, this book takes the intimidation out of sailing and gives you the skills and confidence you need to get your feet wet and become the sailing pro you've always wanted to be. Anchors away!
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
310 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 13, 2017
Not ready to sail after this, but certainly ready to read books about sailing now that I know what "beam reach" and "freeboard" and "tacking" (vs. "jibing") mean.
February 9, 2020
I can’t wait for a book to unseat Glenan’s Sailing Manual by Philippe Harle as my favorite book on sailing. That book is exceptional and it will be a gift when I find a more valuable way in invest my home study hours on the subject of sailing. Having just finished Sailing for Dummies, that moment will have to wait a bit longer.
Sailing for Dummies isn’t a bad book. Of the three entry level books on sailing I’ve read, it is my second favorite. Unfortunately, the distance between last place and second is smaller than between first and second. The lesser two of the three books suffer different flavors of the same problem. Both underestimate their reader and are too expansive in their scope.
In the case of Sailing for Dummies, the book falls into the trap of comedy defensive driving classes: it invests too much energy in trying to be entertaining. Strip away some of the banter and humor and the underlying content is perfectly fine. With the added informality, the book is a less efficient information delivery vehicle.
Where this book exceeds last place on my list, Sailing Fundamentals by Gary Jobson, is in focus. Sailing is a complicated undertaking. To begin with, sailing does not mean one thing. It can mean day sailing with the family in small freshwater lakes, coastal cruising, transoceanic adventuring, yacht racing, and on and on. For an entry level book, it is a handicap trying to be everything to everyone. This liability is exacerbated by how complex a sailboat is regardless of its use. Sailboats are vehicles that are often equipped with two modes of locomotion, sail power and an auxiliary powerplant of some sort. Since these vehicles ply the water, an inhospitable environment for humans, they are also life support. For this reason, sailboats must comply with regulations in addition to meet their operators’ needs for exercising common sense. Sailing for Dummies does an admirable job focusing on sailing fundamentals where Sailing Fundamentals seemed more prone to distraction.
For fun, I have been taking some lower division undergraduate coursework at the local community college. While I am learning and it is fun, I am reminded that it does not take long before you move far enough into a curriculum that the entry level survey courses start feeling pretty unsatisfactory. If I had to suggest a book to read for someone entirely new to sailing, I am not sure they could do better than Sailing for Dummies. The problem is the subject is both so broad and so deep that it takes very little time before a student is already thirsty for answers a book like this is unlikely slake.
Sailing for Dummies isn’t a bad book. Of the three entry level books on sailing I’ve read, it is my second favorite. Unfortunately, the distance between last place and second is smaller than between first and second. The lesser two of the three books suffer different flavors of the same problem. Both underestimate their reader and are too expansive in their scope.
In the case of Sailing for Dummies, the book falls into the trap of comedy defensive driving classes: it invests too much energy in trying to be entertaining. Strip away some of the banter and humor and the underlying content is perfectly fine. With the added informality, the book is a less efficient information delivery vehicle.
Where this book exceeds last place on my list, Sailing Fundamentals by Gary Jobson, is in focus. Sailing is a complicated undertaking. To begin with, sailing does not mean one thing. It can mean day sailing with the family in small freshwater lakes, coastal cruising, transoceanic adventuring, yacht racing, and on and on. For an entry level book, it is a handicap trying to be everything to everyone. This liability is exacerbated by how complex a sailboat is regardless of its use. Sailboats are vehicles that are often equipped with two modes of locomotion, sail power and an auxiliary powerplant of some sort. Since these vehicles ply the water, an inhospitable environment for humans, they are also life support. For this reason, sailboats must comply with regulations in addition to meet their operators’ needs for exercising common sense. Sailing for Dummies does an admirable job focusing on sailing fundamentals where Sailing Fundamentals seemed more prone to distraction.
For fun, I have been taking some lower division undergraduate coursework at the local community college. While I am learning and it is fun, I am reminded that it does not take long before you move far enough into a curriculum that the entry level survey courses start feeling pretty unsatisfactory. If I had to suggest a book to read for someone entirely new to sailing, I am not sure they could do better than Sailing for Dummies. The problem is the subject is both so broad and so deep that it takes very little time before a student is already thirsty for answers a book like this is unlikely slake.
October 14, 2020
Handy tips for novices
A good starter for novices. Simple and practical guides and explanations for sailing. Worth adding to boats library or on board Kindle.
A good starter for novices. Simple and practical guides and explanations for sailing. Worth adding to boats library or on board Kindle.
March 6, 2024
If you can read this I didn’t drown and the book worked.
September 14, 2021
I keep this on the boat, great reference for beginners and novices. I knew how to sail, but this is a great reference for things that need to be looked up again. I also enjoyed the easy and entertaining format of this book. I would certainly recommend to beginners and those who want to brush up on their skills.
March 11, 2017
A little too focused on racing. I'm into sailing more for the crossings and island hopping. Great explanation of knots and anchoring. As sound as any textbook can be for the theoretical part of navigation.
October 14, 2018
Great for dummies!
May 9, 2020
The knowledge
This book is full of the facts you need to start your competent sailing life. Have a fantastic time, be safe , be knowledgeable, and be prepared.
This book is full of the facts you need to start your competent sailing life. Have a fantastic time, be safe , be knowledgeable, and be prepared.
August 27, 2021
pg 77 lol
Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor takes warning!
Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor takes warning!
August 21, 2022
A well written primer on sailing. Very detailed but easy to read. I found it a good review of the fundamentals of sailing.
December 8, 2022
Gonna read this one again.
February 22, 2023
Practical guide and good overview. Easy to read and covers most items. Not as good as voyaging but still giving high rating.
December 24, 2023
Honestly I skimmed it but I’d still be lost.
April 29, 2024
Nice book for beginners
July 25, 2015
Great book and well written by people who know what they're talking about. You may get lost in the terms if this is your first time learning anything about sailing, but it is worth it to keep looking in the very complete glossary to get them all sorted out.
If you are more experienced, there's something here for you too. Either way, you can learn a lot from this book.
If you are more experienced, there's something here for you too. Either way, you can learn a lot from this book.
October 17, 2008
Good basic understanding of terms, techniques and ways to enjoy sailing.
Want to read
June 13, 2011I read the first few chapters and they were very good. Since sailing lessons are on-hold for the foreseeable future, I set this aside to revisit later...someday!
February 10, 2014
SAILING FOR DUMMIES has a lot of good info and lingo in an easy-to-digest format for land-lubbers like me.
May 16, 2015
I read this book before I ever stepped foot on a sailboat. It certainly put me in a good spot to begin sailing lessons at the Community Boating center in Boston.
May 30, 2016
Fun read, good information about sailing and the Caribbean
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews