Bryan Willis' Racing Rules Companion is the invaluable pocket reference guide to the essentials of the racing rules, updated for the latest 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing. Every racing sailor should have a copy! It will build their knowledge and make them more confident on the racecourse. The book summarises the basic principles, definitions and rules and then covers every aspect of the race, with sections on starts, mark rounding, obstructions, signals and dispute resolution. Colour diagrams throughout ensure the concepts are easily understood. Splash-proof and spiral bound, this little companion stands up to frequent use and serves as a great aide-memoire that will fit into your pocket or kit bag. Written by the acknowledged rules expert, Bryan Willis who is also author of the best-selling rules guide, Rules in Practice 2025-2028.
Coastwise examines the coastline of the British Isles as a dynamic environment and offers you an understandable explanation of how the coastline functions as a single entity. It is supported by hundreds of stunning photos and illustrations. It begins by exploring how the forces of nature combine to create its physical features (and continue to do so). This is a multifaceted story that involves ancient geology and powerful ocean forces. It then turns to the living nature of the coast, covering the unique plants, animals and other organisms whose interdependence keeps the coast alive and healthy. These amazing creatures are described and displayed in full colour. The third part of the book looks at how humans have interacted with the coast, using it for defence, commerce and leisure. It explores these aspects from the earliest times to the present day. The final section shows, for each coastal region, where the features discussed in the book can be observed and enjoyed, giving you a practical way of exploring the elements described in the book. All aspects of the coast are covered, making it essential reading – or a wonderful gift – for all those who spend time on Britain's coast. As Countryfile presenter, Tom Heap, says in his Foreword: "These pages are a practical love letter to Britain's waterfront and no seaside holiday home should be without them."
John Quirk loves history, drawing and boats and these three elements come together in this attractive and entertaining book. He has sought out obscure episodes or familiar events from the past and written engagingly about them, illustrated with his excellent colour cartoons. Where possible he relates the historical happenings and maritime moments to the present day, be it when tracing the history of the screw, misinformation (fake news) during the Second World War, plague ships in the fourteenth century, or Russia's ill-fated war with Japan in 1904. The events covered range from Henry V's invasion of France in 1415, consisting mainly of chartered French ships and paid for partially by Dick Whittington, to episodes in the Second World War, like the Somali Camel Corps capturing a German U-boat. Other historic figures involved include Horatio Nelson, Napoleon, Rudolf Diesel and Lawrence of Arabia. The 25 stories and over 100 cartoons are a treasure-trove of compelling, salt-infused, tales told with imagination and humour, with an eye on the present day, which will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in maritime history (or even just history).
Bill Johnson clearly explains what radar is, outlining what it does and doesn't do. He describes how to make simple adjustments to get a decent picture, and explores how to use the basic radar. This is followed by greater information on the various confusions and anomalies that the picture can present, progressing to the more complex functionality of a modern digital (raster) set. Finally you learn the key elements to consider when choosing and installing a radar system for your boat.
Transform your technique in the water and become a better swimmer with this remarkable new approach to freestyle swimming, suitable for all levels - beginner, intermediate and advanced, as well as swimming coaches. Aimed at both fitness and competitive swimmers, it explains what makes a successful stroke and how to develop your own swimming style. _x000D_The Swim Smooth approach, developed by consultants to the gold medal winning British Triathlon team, helps you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your stroke and provides drill and training tips to make the most of your time in the water. It accepts differences in individual swimmers and shows you how to understand the fundamentals of swimming to find a style that works for you. Technique, fitness training, racing skills and open water swimming are all covered, with photographs and 3D graphics helping you to put theory into practice. _x000D_Swim efficiently. Swim fast. Swim Smooth.
Every four years the Racing Rules of Sailing are updated following the Olympics. To help the sailor, World Sailing labels important changes with marginal markings. For the new rules coming into force on 1st January 2025 there are quite a lot of marginal markings: - A third of the Definitions are marked, including Sail the Course, Mark-Room, Obstruction and Continuing Obstruction; - Nearly a third of the rules in Part 2 (When Boats Meet) are marked, including Avoiding Contact, Mark-Room, Room to Pass an Obstruction; - All of the rules in Part 5 (Protests, Redress, Hearings, Misconduct and Appeals) are marked. That's quite a lot of changes! You need a new set of rules and, to understand the implications of the changes, you need a guide to them. Rules in Practice has been the best-selling guide to the racing rules of sailing for the last 40 years. Now, in its 11th edition, it has been updated for (and contains in full) the 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing. To begin, Rules in Practice describes the latest rule changes and their implications for sailors. The book then covers the fundamental rules that always apply to sailors along with a detailed look at the rules around luffing and keeping clear – which were an eye-opener to many sailors when they were first published in the last edition. As always, throughout the book, the emphasis is on the practical impact on you as a sailor, rather than a theoretical discussion of the rules themselves. This is brought to life in the rest of the book, which takes you around the racecourse, from start to finish, through the key situations that frequently occur showing, from the point of view of each boat in turn, what you may, must or must not do. (Other rules guides take you through the rules in order which is just not how you come across them on the racecourse.) You don't have to know all the rules off by heart, but you do need to know your rights and obligations on the water – the rules can be looked up afterwards. This knowledge will build your confidence while racing and enable you to make the most of opportunities when they arise. Colour diagrams throughout ensure concepts are easily understood. If you are going to buy one rule book – make it this one!
This beautiful full-colour book covers knots, splices and whippings. It begins with the 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. Each stage of each knot is illustrated and its uses, strong points and weak points are highlighted.
'This book is a must-have for any serious racing sailor' – Sir Ben Ainslie, four-time Olympic gold winning sailor Paul Elvstrom is arguably the greatest Olympic sailor of all time. Proving that understanding the rules is crucial to winning, he devised this unique approach to explaining them using bird's-eye diagrams. His detailed explanations are applied to myriad racing situations, each cross-referenced to relevant case studies provided by World Sailing (formerly ISAF). Included with the book are a set of plastic boats, for use during protest hearings. They are transparent but coloured differently so can also be used with an overhead projector. This edition is completely revised to cover the new rules issued for 2021–24. It includes the full text of the latest rules, with a handy quick-reference guide highlighting the latest changes. There is also a confidence-building section on how to present your case in a protest, and the back cover shows the signal flags for instant easy reference on the race course. Long established as the most accessible and most trusted guide to the racing rules, Paul Elvstrom Explains is a must-have. Whether racing in a dinghy, keelboat or large yacht, it is the perfect pocket reference for those who want to win.
The racing rules bible for over 35 years, fully updated for 2021 with the complete rules and increased focus on luffing, leeward marks / gates and finishing. This best-selling guide goes through the key situations that occur repeatedly on the race course, from the point of view of each boat in turn, and explains the rights and obligations of each.
This is the perfect summary of all you need to know – lights, shapes, buoys, Rules of the Road, tides, flags, knots, breakdowns etc., presented in a splash–resistant, quick–reference format. This is recommended reading for RYA courses and compliments the Dayskipper and Yachtmaster courses perfectly. Featuring: Rule of the Road Height of the tide Lights and shapes Engine troubles Sound signals Safety equipment Buoyage Radio distress Flags, ropes & knots These splash–proof cards summarise everything a sailor needs to know or finds hard to remember. Presented in a handy, card format they should take pride of place on any yacht or motorboat. The Cockpit Companion was first published in 1997 and now needs a few adjustments. We have also added checklists on ‘Ready for Sea’, Safety Equipment and Calling for Assistance.
