Book Feature- Dag Pike's Cruising under Sail

Cruising under sail - there is a lot to learn when you cast off and sail independently of the club or race organiser SW

Cruising under Sail by Dag Pike © SW

The aim of the book is to give novices the information to cruise safely and enjoyably, covering: the preparations before setting off; assessing the sea and weather conditions; briefing the crew; navigating; coping when things go wrong; operating the boat under different and sometimes challenging conditions and conforming with rules and regulations.

With advice, hints, tips and personal anecdotes, this is a very practical book - rather than being compartmentalized into sections on weather/navigation etc, it accompanies the cruiser from departure to their safe arrival at their destination, drawing out the practical lessons at each stage of the passage from the theory found in text books. The superb photography illustrates the text and will inspire sailors of all levels.

Have a friend who is just starting to cruise independently? Or dreaming about it? What a perfect gift this would be!

The Author:
Dag Pike is a well-known ntical journalist and author, spanning both sailing and motorboating, and with an international reach. He began his career as a merchant captain, went on to test RNLI lifeboats, and was the navigator aboard Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Challenger when it succeeded in breaking the Atlantic speed record.

He took part in his first ocean sailing race in 1948, and has sailed all over the world, from the British coast to New Zealand, America and the Mediterranean. He is the author of several books and many articles for leading nautical magazines.

If you can't find it at your local marine book store, you can purchase it online by http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=94&book=9781408181898!clicking_here.