Removes the mystery of sailing and reduces sailing techniques to basic, simple principles.

The official learn-to-sail manual of the American Sailing Association and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, with over 150 line drawings and photographs. Written by America’s foremost instructional authority, the new edition of Sailing Fundamentals combines the training programs of the American Sailing Association and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. The official learn-to-sail manual of the American Sailing Association, it is also used in the programs of many yacht clubs, colleges, and sailing groups. Unlike most introductory sailing books, which reflect the biases and idiosyncrasies of their authors, Sailing Fundamentals has been extensively pretested by ASA professional instructors to ensure that it offers the fastest, easiest, most systematic way to learn basic sailing and basic coastal cruising. This book covers every aspect of beginning sailing—from hoisting sail to docking and anchoring—and specifically prepares the learner to qualify for sailing certification according to international standards. Widely acclaimed author Gary Jobson has won several major races, including the 1977 America’s Cup victory as tactician aboard Courageous. He was head sailing coach at the US Naval Academy, and has conducted sailing clinics across the country.

Written to complement the ASA's teaching methods, Cruising Fundamentals addresses small-boat daysailors who wish to move on to overnight cruising in a larger boat-one more than 27 feet long. The book leads the reader through five progressively more advanced levels of boat handling, each divided into sections covering knowledge and techniques that can be learned ashore and those best learned underway. A chapter called "Sailing the Cruising Yacht, " for example, presents important information on readying the boat for sail, VHF radio protocol, and right-of-way rules before examining such topics as heaving-to and steering a compass course. This effective and logical progression makes the book a great learning tool not just for those graduating from smaller to larger sailboats or from daysailing to cruising, but for inactive sailors needing a refresher and for anyone planning bareboat charter. The volume includes material on all aspects of piloting, maneuvering under power, managing the galley, diesel maintenance, passagemaking, and anchoring.

Designed for sailors who know the basics, Sail Better will help you master your general skills, operate and protect your boat more efficiently, learn the fundamentals of racing, and much more, you'll find detailed sections on: -Cruising: sailing with children, dropping anchor, dinghies, sails and sail control, techniques, working the boat, maintenance and storage -Performance Sailing: turning a boat, planning a race -Emergency Procedures: signals and equipment to summon help, rescue techniques, and a first aid checklist

A complete course in the fundamentals, Getting Started in Sailboat Racing dispels the sport’s elite aura and makes racing accessible to any sailor who wants to give it a try. This illustrated manual takes readers around the buoys, explaining the rules and tactics that govern starts, finishes, mark roundings, and boat-to-boat struggles for speed and advantage.