Re: Sailboat 101 Books?

[JerseyMermaid]

Hi all!

My main thread all about me is in the Meet & Greet section, but aside from that, I'm a total sailing novice. We're in the process of buying a 22' sailboat to learn on until we save enough pennies for the big 42'....

Are there any good Sailing 101 books out there that you might recommend to give me at least a general concept of terminology and such before I jump aboard the 22'? I read like the wind, so I've been digesting books about liveaboard life, which is helpful for that, but nothing that applies to general sailing.

Any recommendations would be wonderful!

Best,

~Danielle

[cburks]

sailing for dummies

[azsailor12]

Amazon carries the US Sailing certification books. They are well written and easy to understand. Try the Basic Keelboat one and if you like the style, then move on to Basic Cruising and Bareboat Cruising.

Amazon.com: us sailing

[Jane.Joy]

I like this one: Amazon.com: Sailing: The Basics: The Book That Has Launched Thousands (9781585748075): Dave Franzel: Books

[JerseyMermaid]

Thank you everyone! Just what I was hoping to hear! I appreciate the replies.

[ohdrinkboy]

don't forget. sailing is a combination of book learning and understanding the feedback you get from your senses. You will learn to feel if the boat is over powered, or the balance is off. Be tuned in to what you feel out there (besides being so excited you may pee in your pants)

[JerseyMermaid]

Originally Posted by ohdrinkboy

don't forget. sailing is a combination of book learning and understanding the feedback you get from your senses. You will learn to feel if the boat is over powered, or the balance is off. Be tuned in to what you feel out there (besides being so excited you may pee in your pants)

Awww, I'm glad to see your words again!

I'm in the process of going to look at the 22' Bristol this week/end and hopefully going to find myself w/ sailing lessons soonish. Also headed to the Annapolis Boat Show in Oct. SO EXCITED!

I know this is a silly comparison, but we have a Hobie Mirage Revolution at the beach house in FL on the Gulf Coast....and I sail it more than anything else. It's got a mast you insert and hoist one sail that you control with a single line...but OMG, it's the best fun. The first time I caught wind in that sail and went flying across the water w/o having to peddle, I was ecstatic. Best feeling ever...

Such great little boats for a myriad of uses...
Hobie Cat Company - Mirage Revolution 11

[SkiprJohn]

I like the book Start Sailing Right!. It is the manual followed by U. S. Sailing Basic Sailing Course and is really well written.
kind regards,

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by ohdrinkboy

don't forget. sailing is a combination of book learning and understanding the feedback you get from your senses....

Very true: read, take some classes, sail....repeat many times.

ASA has over the past few years been revamping their text books. These area available directly from ASA or via Amazon (although availability on Amazon sometimes varies a bit). See Sailing Schools - Learn to Sail with American Sailing Association | ASA

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

I like the book Start Sailing Right!. It is the manual followed by U. S. Sailing Basic Sailing Course and is really well written.
kind regards,

This was OK as a place to start. I really liked Sailing for Dummies (the iBook version has some serious formatting issues, though). Since you seem to enjoy reading, I highly recommend the Annapolis Book of Seamanship. Each of these books is longer and more technical than the one before it.

I also recommend an in water class or two to get started. You can't exactly look something up in the middle of a maneuver. Some instructors will even give you a private lesson on your boat.

[Aussie_Sequoia]

Annapolis Book of Seamanship. Great thing to have on board too.

[Jake Tanley]

Good suggestions above. The best introductory book I've come across is "The Complete Sailor" by David Seidman.

Amazon.com: The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing (9780070571310): David Seidman: Books

[dan360]

The ASA books are great for learning to sail, this tome is great for rules of the road, safety and regulation: Amazon.com: Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 66th Edition (9781588167446): Charles B. Husick: Books

[Ex-Calif]

I give all "newbie" prospective crew the book K.I.S.S. - Keep it Simple Sailing.

1 - If they bring the book back - they have a chance
2- If they have read the book they have a better chance

My latest protege has done neither 1 nor 2 and I am about to start hunting him down...

[Me-and-Boo]

There are hundreds of videos too. Check video rental stores (if there are any left near you). Neflix is a source for video rentals. I do not know if Amazon does it though.

There are everything from absolute first day sailing classes to maintenance, to cruising to blue water and heavy weather videos.