Here's the book every overworked, under-appreciated sailor has wanted. Whether you're alone or with crew, out for a day sail or off on your annual cruise. A Manual of Single-handed Sailing will give you the confidence and technique to sail your ship solo. Singlehanding isn't just for ocean-crossers, those determined distance passagemakers in the tradition of Slocum, Knox-Johnson and Tabarly. The tools and techniques of singlehanding can make sailing more efficient, safer and more fun. And this applies to any sailor. Everyone has had occasion to sail with landlubbers who don't know a half-hitch from a hitching post. Such situations demand singlehanding, if you don't want to have serious problems. A Manual of Singlehanded Sailing is meant for the average cruising sailor who whishes to sail comfortable, safely and swiftly. You'll learn the practices, technical refinements and aspects of confidence and safety. Among the topics covered are
Boat types and rigs
Decks and deck layouts
Accommodations
Sails and sail trim
Self-steering
Planning and the avoidance of fatigue
Standing watch and watching out
Safety
Heavy weather sailing
Accidents at sea
Anchoring and docking under sail
Ship management
In addition, there are appendices on:
Dinghies and tenders
Damage and repair at sea
Self-steering devices
Spares and tools
first-aid
Based on years of experience singlehanding boats large and small.