Illustrated Seamanship

Publisher: Wiley Nautical, £13.99
Publication Date: 2007

It has often been said that a good picture is worth a thousand words. This small book by Ivar Dedekam proves it. Without the clear simple colour diagrams it would grow into a tome! It is restricted to just three parts of seamanship, Ropework, Boat Handling and Anchoring, perhaps the three that are so easily by-passed when starting sailing in these modern days when “everything appears to have been done for you”. It is when things start to go wrong that ignorance of these very subjects show through and either embarrasses us, or worse, put us in danger. The Section on Knots is excellent. There will only be a few who would want to know more but you will find all you could possibly want for everyday cruising here. The clarity of the illustrations tempt one to bye-pass the text but that would be a mistake. The Section on Boat-handling is indispensable. I have seen engines started just to move a yacht across a berth and only last year watched a perfect example of a “bow-thruster assisted collision”. Ivar Dedekam explains beautifully the use of warps. Lastly Anchoring. Oh how your sailing enjoyment increases and your expenses reduce when you can anchor with confidence in lovely lonely bays. It is so much more comfortable when the boat always lies head to wind. Read this book and you will handle and anchor your vessel with confidence and a smile on you face. I thoroughly recommend it to beginners and the experienced alike. - Richard Yeoward.