Basic Sailing Skills is a perfect manual to help anyone starting out in learning to sail. The original Basic Sailing Skills was written in 1974 by Don Giffin, an active instructor, Albacore racing competitor and dedicated volunteer. Over the next seventeen years it was used extensively by over 30,000 sailors as they were introduced to the jargon and theory of sailing. In 1990 the Learn to Sail Committee of the Canadian Yachting Association decided to have Basic Sailing Skills rewritten to reflect changes which had taken place with national sail training standards over time. Sven Donaldson, a Vancouver based sailing writer, was commissioned by the Canadian Yachting Association to write this next version of Basic Sailing Skills. Sven has two other sailing books to his credit (A Sailors Guide to Sails and the New Sail Theory) as well as many articles in Pacific Yachting Magazine, Sail, and Cruising World. In Basic Sailing Skills, Sven has simplified terminology so the reader gets a hands on appreciation of the enjoyment of sailing. Cedric Burgers, formerly a CYA senior sailing instructor and University of British Columbia architecture student from Vancouver drew the illustrations. The illustrations provide a level of detail rarely shown in other sailing instructional books. The sequence of drawings for the step progression of skills should make it easier for anyone learning to tack or gybe.

Sailing Made Easy is the first step in a voyage that will last you the rest of your life. It is a gift from a group of dedicated sailing professionals who have committed their lives to sharing their art, their skill, and their passion for this wonderful activity. This book, which Sailing Magazine called "best in class" upon its release in 2010, is the most comprehensive education and boating safety learn-to-sail guide to date. It is also the official textbook for the ASA Basic Keelboat Standard (ASA 101). Incorporated in the textbook are useful illustrations and exceptional photographs of complex sailing concepts. The text’s most distinguishing feature is its user friendly "spreads" in which instructional topics are self-contained on opposing pages throughout the book. There are also chapter end quizzes and a glossary to help those new to sailing to navigate their way through the extensive nautical terminology.

Once you have spent time under sail, you will notice that people on sailboats tend to wave at each other. For many, sailing is a passion to be enjoyed for a lifetime. But sailing is challenging. And, in fact, at times can be dangerous. Therefore, safety at sea is a paramount importance. To maximise your enjoyment on the water, you must have confidence in yourself, your boat, equipment and crew. Basic Keelboat, help you learn to sail with all the skills required for safety at sea. For newcomers, careful study and practice is essential. When you're prepared, life under the sail is more enjoyable.