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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Best Books

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binky
Navigator

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USA
115 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/24/2012 : 22:05:17

I bought my first sailboat a few months ago and I have been learning through reading, studying and sailing with friends. This forum has been a great help.

I finally got my g/f on the boat with sails up (with instructor), as opposed to just the motor. She had a blast and now wants to learn as well. I would love to teach her but I am learning to sail my self.

She is better at reading and learning, whereas, I am better at doing and learning. I know this sounds odd, as sailing is a hands on sport, but I need your help. What do you recommend as a good basic sailing book for her to read?

"Mast Confusion"
1983 SK, #3525
Ken
Hampton Roads, Va

Edited by - binky on 11/24/2012 22:08:00

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2012 : 22:15:32

Some texts on fluid dynamics should get you started. Focus heavily on turbulence, the chapter after laminar flow and Bernoulli's principle, as confidence in dealing with heavy wind is more important than being fast in the calm.

Edited by - on

binky
Navigator

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USA
115 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2012 : 22:20:07

Really?

Edited by - on

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2012 : 22:25:52

Of course I'm kidding about engineering texts :) . I just wanted to throw out a few terms in context before they scare a reader in sailing books.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 04:44:36

Colgate has several books. I learned through sailing a small boat (sunfish)I've heard it is better to start small and move up in size as it gives you a better feel for what is going on. I would agree after talking to a broker that learned on a 40 footer.....said he couldn't keep a sunfish upright.

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 06:36:46

Believe it or not, I found the Dummy's Book on Sailing to be pretty good.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 06:38:04

I'll second that learning on a small boat is much better. Faster, more direct tactile feedback through the tiller and sheets to your hands and more boat response to where you and crew are positioned in the boat.

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willyd103
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 07:31:03

Try http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/public_ed.htm for basic boating course. look also for the Sail course that may be offered in your local area at http://www.usps.org/cgi-bin-nat/eddept/cfind.cgi

WillyD
S/V Stardust
C-250 W/K #215

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 08:15:38

My sailing class used this book, and I found it to be the best of the ones that I've read (including the Colgate manual):
http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Sailor-Second-Edition/dp/0071749578/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353856459&sr=8-1&keywords=the+complete+sailor

Lots of diagrams, subjects are covered in 1-2 pages, and very easy to digest. Since my wife took the same class we ended up with two copies of the book and we keep one on the boat.

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 08:23:00

John Rousmaniere's "Annapolis Book of Seamanship" is still one of the best...

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Kim Luckner
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 08:49:21

These videos are really pretty good,and free.
http://www.sailingtexas.com/SailingClass/SailingClass.html

As far as books I liked "Things I wished I'd known before I started sailing" by John Vigor, a good read and a reminder to not take things to seriously.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 09:26:27

Also try U-Tube, Lots of how to sail vids.

Edited by - on

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 09:59:52

I took a course offered locally. If i recall correctly it was one weekend in class and second on the water. I found the course alright.

I was lucky as when I bought my first sailboat very experienced sailer took me under his wing and my first 2 months sailed with me nearly every weekend. It's incredible what he taught me - as i'm more of hands on person as well.

Going back to books: "Chapman Piloting and Seamanship" should be part of standard equipment on all boats

I ordered mine just the other day and waiting for shipment.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 11:19:59

Chapman is the book for anybody who skippers any type of vessel. Annapolis is a great reference, although not organized quite like a ground-up sailing course. My favorite teaching book was something that's long out of print, and focuses on a few things that are somewhat anachronistic (like how to hoist a gaff-rigged mains'l).

I can't agree enough on the value of learning on a small boat like a Sunfish to understand using the wind--the response to all of the inputs (including the ballast, which is you) is instantly gratifying (or an instant teacher of an object lesson). The only downside is getting the idea that a sailboat might dump you and "turtle" if you make a mistake... It's definitely a possibility on a Sunfish or small dinghy, but "virtually impossible" on a C-25 (except in extreme conditions). On the other hand, you can right a Sunfish and sail away...

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 11/25/2012 11:21:32

Downbucket
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 13:20:50

Hi:

My favorite book is: The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing by David Seidman. Easy to understand, great diagrams and it addresses a lot of important areas. About $17.00.

Will

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 14:56:58

Stay at the lighter end in the beginning. Chapman's and Rousmanieres' might be a little overwhelming for starters. Learning on a small boat is best, but not if you don't have one. "Dummies" is a good start, along with "The Complete Sailor" and Colgate's beginning books.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 15:41:26

The Power Squadron, Coast Guard Auxiliary, YMCA and similar organizations offer very inexpensive (used to be around $25.00) and thorough sailing courses during the winter. I have taken most of them, some more than once. They're well worthwhile.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 18:33:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rrick
 Of course I'm kidding about engineering texts :) . I just wanted to throw out a few terms in context before they scare a reader in sailing books.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My first and my best book on sailing was

And laminar flow is everything in a craft that interfaces with water and air. If any of my picts were still around you would notice that the sails are always pulling... because of this book.

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binky
Navigator

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USA
115 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2012 : 19:04:28

Has anyone read "The International Marine Book of Sailing" by Robby Robinson? I have seen good reviews on this one also. And I appreciate all the responses...I will spend a day a reviewing all the books before I purchase one or two.

Edited by - on

booyacht
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2012 : 14:09:53

I will throw another plug in for Sailing for Dummies - I know it sounds funny, but it was just right for me ( a dummy) coming into it not knowing a hair about the sport. I then enrolled in a local sailing class, where they gave me a more advanced book, and I really felt like I had a better understanding of what was being taught due to the dummies book. The ASA course books were good also.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.