Learning to Sail in Dinghies or Yachts

Publisher: Adlard Coles Nautical

Publication Date: 2007

Unfortunately, the book fell open at a photo with at least three mistakes, captioned “It is important to learn how to use a winch correctly”!  A few pages earlier, a winch is loaded ant-clockwise.  I would also disagree with the advice for getting a dinghy off a lee shore, righting a dinghy, gybing a yacht’s jib and heaving to.

Much of the text and explanatory drawings IS clear and pertinent, living up to the sub-title, “A no-nonsense guide for beginners of all ages”. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves in the photos, encouragement to anyone getting to grips with the mysteries of a new vocabulary. The Sunsail logo may indicate the intended market, and explain the mix of dinghy and yacht sailing.

I note “The Sailing Handbook” is in the same series. In reviewing that (see Cruising December 2006), I made similar comments about carelessness (and the same clumsy prototype safety harness) marring an otherwise recommendable introduction to sail. – J