General Interest

It starts from scratch and teaches you the wrinkles of the sailors art, never forgetting that sailing is for pleasure. With these skills under your belt you will be welcome on board any cruising yacht...and be asked back!

A tour of over 30 minor harbours around the coasts of southwest Britain from Lyme Bay to the River Severn. Illustrated with evocative colour photography, Dag Pike’s narrative brings to life a contrasting collection of small historic harbours, which although infrequently visited have a fascinating story to tell.

Not every potential or existing boatowner wants to spend every last penny getting or staying afloat. Alastair Buchan brings a wealth of first hand experience of where sensible economies can be made in order to cap costs and as a result extend your cruising options.

This beautiful full-colour book covers Knots,Splices and Whippings. It begins with ten knots everyone should know.The other knots are grouped by use so that if, for example, you want to make a loop you have eight knots to choose from. A 128 page book which gives step-by-step drawings of the 10 knots everyone should know, plus a selection of other knots, splices and whippings, plus a bit of rope-handling skills. Full colour. 400 drawings.

A complete guide to handling, navigating and maintaining a motor cruiser. This book is essential reading for anyone new to cruising under power. It describes how to choose a boat and maintain it (there is an extensive photo-essay on diesel engine maintenance and troubleshooting).

Both concise and comprehensive, this out-and-out 'crammer' covers all the essentials of the RYA Day Skipper syllabus, arranged by topic and highlighted to make revising easier and now updated and expanded for the sixth edition. Since the first edition was published, Pass Your Day Skipper has helped thousands of students through their shorebased Day Skipper course.

Now in its sixth edition, this must-have guide for aspiring Yachtmasters covers the essentials of the RYA syllabus and provides new tips on exam tactics. Since the first edition was published, Pass Your Yachtmaster has helped thousands of students through their shore-based and practical Yachtmaster course. Concise and comprehensive, this crammer covers all the essentials of the RYA syllabus, arranged in bite-size chunks to make revision easier and brought fully up to date in this sixth edition.

The Reed's Skipper's Handbook has been a bestseller since first publication. The previous edition sold over 60,000 copies, and it is easy to see why: a handy pocket size, it is an aide-memoire of everything a boater needs to know at sea. Packed with a wide range of information in a concise form it is frequently recommended by Yachtmaster Instructors as a quick reference guide and as a revision aid for anyone taking their Day Skipper or Yachtmaster certificates.

Claire and her husband Jimmy spend half the year sailing in the Med and half the year in their West Country home. They have been doing this for 10 years. This book tells how to set about it, and how to imitate them.

A pocket compendium of the language sailors use (the cleaner bits), rather than just another dictionary of sailing terms. Maritime terminology has a rich history and many expressions in general use today owe their origins to sailors and the sea. PB 96pp 15 b/w drawings

This step-by-step guide is packed with information and easy-to-follow illustrations. A complete reference for every level of tender, RIB, fishing boat, motor cruiser or sportsboat driver, this book is ideal whether you are a beginner and need a straightforward guide, or are taking your sport to the next level and looking for the professional tips that will help you improve your speed, skill, safety and enjoyment.

The Complete Yachtmaster has been a bestseller since first publication and has established itself as the standard reference for Yachtmaster students as well as skippers of all levels of experience.

In this fully revised and up-to-date 10th edition, Tom Cunliffe brings together all the essentials of modern cruising in one volume. He presents an analysis of a good skipper, the theory and practice of sailing and sail trim, the art of seamanship, accurate navigation including chart plotters and PCs, understanding meteorology, heavy weather preparation, understanding yacht stability and coping with emergencies.

The Sailing Bible is the complete, hands-on manual packed with detailed step-by-step diagrams, lively action photos, and helpful advice on getting the most out of your sailing at whatever level. Whether you are a dinghy or yacht sailor just learning the basics or wanting tips on sailing with the best, this is the book that will give you all the answers you are looking for.

Aimed at saing boat owners of all kinds, this reference book containts 200 entries packed with solid practical advice. With cartoons by SAIL magazine's Tom Payne and a comprehensive appendix covering some 50 technical topics. 188pp Illustrated PB

This easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide takes you through the world of knots, navigation and heavy-weather sailing. This book is accessible to all levels, giving those new to sailing straightforward advice, and shows experienced sailors how to take their sailing to the next level with professional tips on how to sail faster and safer.