The Skipper's Cockpit Racing Guide is an at-a-glance reference for dinghy and yacht racers, covering everything they need to know to improve their performance – and win. From those in their first year of racing to old hands wondering why they're not winning, this guide covers an enormous amount of detail in a simple, easy to follow format. Topics are broken down into photo sequences, boxes, flowcharts, hints and tips, and cover: - setting your goals - assembling the right boat and gear - practising and tuning (straight line, tacking, gybing, rounding marks, doing penalties) - starting (planning, set-up of rig and foils) - race strategy (beating, reaching, running) - tactics against the opposition - crewing skills (trim, weight) - tides and currents (what affects the flow, using them to your advantage) - wind (wind shadows, wind bends, forecasts) - spinnakers (symmetric, asymmetric, hoist, gybe, drop) - rules (start, beat, reach, run) A final section on troubleshooting enables readers to rate their performance and identify areas for improvement, handily linking back to those pages in the book.

A splash-proof quick-reference guide for all dinghy and yacht racers, packed with information on how to improve your racing performance and become a winner.

Whether racing dinghies or yachts, every sailor wants to drive through the fleet and cross the line first. In this groundbreaking book, international racer Fred Imhoff shows how to do just that. By means of on-the-water action shots and detailed commentary about a sailor's tactics, sail trim, helming, crew positioning and psychological attitude, Fred shares the secrets of competitive racing success. Whether first-time club racer or international America's Cup hotshot, every sailor's goal is to constantly improve and stay one step ahead of the competition. Fred's logical, clinical analyses accompanied by fantastic action shots, including many from the 2012 Olympics, will be a godsend to budding and improving racers alike. From advice on mental preparation, honing your gear, working the weather and analysing the course, to briefing your crew, sussing out the other competitors and analysing your mistakes, this book is full of never-before-discussed gold dust that will be absolutely indispensable to all racers, whatever their age or level.

With weather conditions continually evolving, skippers need to factor forecast data into every passage plan and be prepared to modify it if the situation changes. This spiral-bound instant reference guide will help you draw the most relevant weather information from a variety of sources, understand and apply broader forecast data to your location and your anticipated route, and know when and how to make those necessary alterations. In clear, practical language, and with diagrams, photographs, explanations and bulleted lists, the book is also a useful primer or overview for RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore students by following the contents of the course: - Basic terms / the Beaufort Scale - Air masses - Cloud types - Weather patterns associated with pressure and frontal systems - Sources of weather information - Interpret a shipping forecast, weatherfax and weather satellite information - Land and sea breezes - Sea fog - Use of a barometer as a forecasting aid As a reference before sailing, a reminder of what is available for use before going to sea, and a guide to what to look out for and use when sailing, this practical handbook is aimed at skippers and crew of all levels, whether on day cruises or longer ocean-going passages. Spiral bound to lie flat and printed on splashproof paper, it is the ideal hands-on weather-focused passage planning guide, but with lots of tips for use on board it is the essential aide-memoire to have on the boat.

Whether planning a day sail or a longer passage, at home, at the wheel or at the chart table, the Skipper's Cockpit Navigation Guide is the perfect at-a-glance handbook for all skippers and crew. It covers all the essential navigation skills and techniques with a user friendly, easy to follow and succinct approach. Spiral bound to lie flat, and with laminated splash-proof pages, it is the hands-free ready reckoner to help you get where you want to go. Written in clear, practical language, with clear photos, step-by-step diagrams and actual chart extracts, the book covers: - Using nautical charts - Understanding buoys, marks and lights - Using the compass, log and depth gauge - Plotting positions (including by dead reckoning), courses and bearings - Understanding tides (heights, streams, including using tide tables) and currents - Factoring in the weather - Making a passage plan, keeping a logbook, and more An essential title to have on board, this accessible book is aimed at skippers and crews of all levels, whether as a primer for those new to navigating or the perfect aide-memoire for those with prior experience.

This quick reference guide contains all the navigational information and practical seamanship needed by skippers or crew. Its accessible and concise presentation makes it ideal for instant reference at sea, and its splashproof pages and spiral binding enable it to stand up to the demanding marine environment. Invaluable for experienced sailors as an aide-memoire, as well as for beginners and RYA students, it covers a wide range of topics such as seamarks, buoyage, pilotage, lights, boat handling, anchoring and mooring, ropes & knots, heavy weather sailing, man overboard, grounding, fire aboard, distress signals and VHF radio. 'A brilliant aide-memoire or instant revision for exams' Kelvin Hughes 'A handy reference… one of the most comprehensive guides that I have seen' Lifeboat 'It has a lot of good information… is a useful aid to have on board' Gaffers Log

This reference guide contains all the navigational information and practical seamanship needed by skippers or crew. Its accessible presentation makes it ideal for reference at sea, and its splashproof pages and spiral binding enable it to stand up to the demanding marine environment.