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The Complete Sailor
The Complete Sailor (Learning the Art of Sailing) by David Seidman, 206p. pub. McGraw Hill. $19.95 USD (previous title: On the Wind) "... this encyclopedic guide does more than just cover the basics. Seidman's intention is to educate lifetime sailors, not just weekend dabblers." - Mid Atlantic Country It has everything you need to get started, in short chapter and line drawing format. Very easy to understand, yet has all of the basics as well as the need to know intermediate skills. Lots of short easy to read chapters; most a page or two long. Excellent reading and reference.
The Complete Sailor (Learning the Art of Sailing) by David Seidman, 206p. pub. McGraw Hill. $19.95 USD (previous title: On the Wind) "... this encyclopedic guide does more than just cover the basics. Seidman's intention is to educate lifetime sailors, not just weekend dabblers." - Mid Atlantic Country It has everything you need to get started, in short chapter and line drawing format. Very easy to understand, yet has all of the basics as well as the need to know intermediate skills. Lots of short easy to read chapters; most a page or two long. Excellent reading and reference.
Try these free videos
Here is a link to US Sailing. Some really great videos for you to watch. Something for everyone that wants to learn. One thing about sailing is that you will never know too much. Always something to learn. Good luck & Fair winds. Ken "Dancin Bear" http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/index.html
Here is a link to US Sailing. Some really great videos for you to watch. Something for everyone that wants to learn. One thing about sailing is that you will never know too much. Always something to learn. Good luck & Fair winds. Ken "Dancin Bear" http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/index.html
Go to your library
I found Steve Colgate's learn to sail video at my local library. It was very helpful.
I found Steve Colgate's learn to sail video at my local library. It was very helpful.
The absolute best and most essential
book for your library is John Rousmaniers's "The Annapolis Book of Seamanship" Very good with the basics... but way more than that. Anchoring, heavy weather, coastal navigation, etc. Very well written and terrifically illustrated, this book will continue to be your major source of sailing information for years. There is a video series based on this book that was produced in the late eighties that is excellent. The book itself is updated on a regular basis.
book for your library is John Rousmaniers's "The Annapolis Book of Seamanship" Very good with the basics... but way more than that. Anchoring, heavy weather, coastal navigation, etc. Very well written and terrifically illustrated, this book will continue to be your major source of sailing information for years. There is a video series based on this book that was produced in the late eighties that is excellent. The book itself is updated on a regular basis.
The BEST...bar none is...
The Glenans' Sailing Manual. You can find it used at reasonable prices.
The Glenans' Sailing Manual. You can find it used at reasonable prices.
Do yourself a favor
Sign up for an ASA sailing school in your area. I realize that it will cost more, but the average annual cost over your future years of sailing will help keep it in perspective. You'll be glad you did. Good sailing.
Sign up for an ASA sailing school in your area. I realize that it will cost more, but the average annual cost over your future years of sailing will help keep it in perspective. You'll be glad you did. Good sailing.
Chapmans
My preference for a good general book for boating is Chapmans. For navigation use Bowditch
My preference for a good general book for boating is Chapmans. For navigation use Bowditch
Greg, I agree the chapmans and
Bowditch(AKA The american practical navigator )are very useful and interesting works but they are far too advanced for a newbie who wants to know how to bend on the sails and which rope to pull. I think that the other works mentioned will be fine. One of the most difficult instructions for me to find was "how to sail slowly", there is no shortage of instruction for how to sail fast but what if you don't want to sail fast. Everybody should look at their books and try to find that little tidbit.
Bowditch(AKA The american practical navigator )are very useful and interesting works but they are far too advanced for a newbie who wants to know how to bend on the sails and which rope to pull. I think that the other works mentioned will be fine. One of the most difficult instructions for me to find was "how to sail slowly", there is no shortage of instruction for how to sail fast but what if you don't want to sail fast. Everybody should look at their books and try to find that little tidbit.
Attend a class
All of the references suggested are good, but there is no substitute for on the water experience. There are many learn to sail classes around, and even some local sailing clubs will offer classes at times. You can learn a lot in a short period of time in a class situation. I see that you are in Orlando, and there are classes on the west coast of florida run by colgate, and others. Another good source would be J world.
All of the references suggested are good, but there is no substitute for on the water experience. There are many learn to sail classes around, and even some local sailing clubs will offer classes at times. You can learn a lot in a short period of time in a class situation. I see that you are in Orlando, and there are classes on the west coast of florida run by colgate, and others. Another good source would be J world.
Second Vote for Rousmaniere's book
"The Annapolis Book of Sailing." For a long time I avoided this book as I couldn't tell if it was "the Little Golden Book of Sailing" or a manual from the Naval Academy. But, "What's in a name?" as the bard said. It turns out to be an excellent book for beginners and I expect for intermediate sailors as well. The next edition needs a better name like "Rousmaniere's Sailing Manual."
"The Annapolis Book of Sailing." For a long time I avoided this book as I couldn't tell if it was "the Little Golden Book of Sailing" or a manual from the Naval Academy. But, "What's in a name?" as the bard said. It turns out to be an excellent book for beginners and I expect for intermediate sailors as well. The next edition needs a better name like "Rousmaniere's Sailing Manual."
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