Best book for a beginning sailor?

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Nov 6, 2006
8
- - Chattanooga
I am a new sailor and I am not sure of most of the terms with the exception of helm, stern, starboard, and port. I know sail and mast too. I was wondering what book or website is good to learn the terms and info for beginners. Thanks.
 
Jan 2, 2005
779
Hunter 35.5 Legend Lake Travis-Austin,TX
Great starters are...

"Sailing Fundamentals" by Gary Jobson and "Cruising Fundamentals" by Harry Munns. These are the 2 primary text books used by ASA, American Sailing Association, in their classes that lead to "certification". Excellent place to start reading, and figuring out what is important to know. After those, the list is endless!!!
 
Aug 15, 2006
157
Beneteau 373 Toronto
Annapolis Book of Seamanship

Comprehensive, great photos and diagrams, more than you need at the start but a lifetime reference work.
 
D

droopy

Coast Guard Aux has classes

that do not include time on the water. Great starter class. Then I recommend taking a class on the water.
 
P

Peter

Annapolis Book of Seamanship

I second the earlier suggestion; it is based on the lessons in sailing, navigation, and seamanship taught at the Naval Academy.
 
B

bill grigelevich

netflix

netflix has a half dozen or so dvds including annapolis vol.4 and 5 i think . for 5.99 a month you can,t go wrong. cancle when you have had enough.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,507
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Best One of All Time

Boy Scout Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge book. At about $3.00 the best deal going as well.
 
R

Rick

BSA Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge

I will second the BSA Merit Badge Book. The BSA organization puts a large amount of effort in all their merit badge books. All of the books are designed for education youth between the ages of 13 - 18. We keep a copy on board for reference and port reading while cruising. You really cannot go wrong with this bargain.
 
P

Peter

merit badge book was my first

Excellent suggestion. I had forgotten that was my first book, and it still serves me well.
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,908
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
One of my first was Chapmans...

Covers all the basic areas you need to know as a beginner. Most marine stores carry it as I'm sure Amazon. Terry
 
May 29, 2005
24
- - Keyesport, IL
Sailing videos

Barnacle, If you can use them, I have a couple of sailing video tape that you can have. The 1st is "Learn to Sail" with Steve Colgate, and the 2nd one is "Sailing Fundamentals" with Peter Isler. It's been quite a while since I watched them, but IIRC, they had some good stuff in them, presented in manner that beginners could understand. I don't have a VHS player anymore, so don't have any reason to keep them. Jim Mowrey H280 Talisman Keyesport, IL
 
Jan 22, 2008
519
Sundance Sundance 20 Weekender Ninette, Manitoba, Canada
The Complete Sailor

The Complete Sailor by David Siedman, $16, line drawings, two page chapters, covers everything you need to know to get started. The Annapolis book of Seamanship for winter reading, and Chapman's Piloting for reference.
 
Nov 6, 2006
8
- - Chattanooga
JayMow VHS

Thanks guys for all of the great info. I am going to get at least 3 of these books and start reading. I never would have thought that about the BSA book. I will definitely pick it up and start reading. JayMow I would love to borrow the videos. Let me know how to get in touch with you. Thanks for the generous offer. They will really help me out. Believe it or not I still watch mostly VHS.
 
J

Jack W

Hey Guys!

You're all forgetting one of the BEST books out there! Don Guilette's Sail Trim Guide available from this chandlrey.
 
T

Tim

2nd for the "Complete Sailor"

..........GREAT first book. Covers all of the basics and has great, easy to understand illustrations. Good Luck!
 

Mac

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Jun 7, 2006
436
MacGregor 25 KEUKA lake NY
book to loan

I bought about 12 books at 2 bucks each on sailing, navigating etc, from the 1970's. Our local mall has a second hand book shop and the books are just piled up. They even had the books seperated by topic!! Anyway, I would be willing to start a library that we could circulate these books free of charge just postage for shipping. I would like to borrow DVD's or video tapes of sailing voyages across the world. They are pretty pricey, so if anyone is interested, I would ship these books out, they have some great pictures and information. Jerry
 
May 29, 2005
24
- - Keyesport, IL
VHS Videos

Barnacle, E-mail me (jmowrey@gmail.com) your address, and I'll send the videos to you. Jim Mowrey H280 Talisman Keyesport, IL
 
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