Please select your home edition
Edition
Excess Catamarans

Book of the Week- 'Expert Sailing Skills'

by Des Ryan on 29 Jun 2012
Tom Cunliffe speaking at a Green Blue Conference SW
Looking for a present for your keen sailor? 'Expert Sailing Skills' is meant for those who can already sail, but caters for all those missing pieces of wisdom that the sailing school doesn't teach.

The author, Tom Cunliffe, has been sailing and writing about it for many years for a variety of sailing magazines, and is recognised as a world authority in the field. He has written more than 25 books, all on sailing, and this one is a beauty.

It covers everything from tips on dropping anchor to fixing an engine or using onboard electronics. Each chapter deals with a specific skill and is highly illustrated with step-by-step photos.

Perfect your spinnaker technique, learn how to dry out your yacht and pick up some tips for successful single-handed sailing. There's advice on everything from passage planning to boat handling and all delivered with easy to follow photographs and diagrams. Tom cuts through the theory to explain what really works -- often setting sail with normal yachtsmen and women to solve their cruising conundrums.

Just look at what the book covers:

1. Boat Handling: Secure alongside, Springing off, Rafting up, Mooring stern-to, Going astern, Negotiating locks, Easy anchoring, Mooring under sail, and Anchor under sail and power

2. Seamanship: Taming your ropes, Safe among shipping, Troubleshooting a diesel engine, Sailing in fog, Climbing a mast, Eye-splicing braidline, and Night sailing.

3. Navigation: Tidal curves, Staying safe with radar, Compass deviation, Radar and AIS,

4. Sailing and sail trim: Sail trim tips, Tacking and gybing, Sailing up river, Handling a Spinmaker, Cruising chutes and Reducing weather helm

5. Skippering: Briefing your crew, Cruising with children, Sailing with your partner and Keeping your crew happy

6. Emergencies: Running aground, Freeing a fouled propeller, Taking a tow, Man overboard!, Recovering a man overboard, Air-sea rescue.

It is a hard-cover A4 book which will turn out to be an invaluable aid to the already competent sailor.

If it is not available in your local marine store, find out how to buy it online by http://www.wileynautical.com/view/0/expertsailingskills.html!clicking_here.

Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Related Articles

WASZP Games 2025 Day 2
A fresh 18 knot breeze served up champagne foiling conditions After tough conditions out in the bay on Day 1, Day 2 brought all fleets into the flatter waters of Portland Harbour, where a fresh 18 knot breeze served up champagne foiling conditions.
Posted today at 4:57 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Interview Videos
Interviews with Mike Sanderson, Bouwe Bekking, Matt Humphries, and cover off the Channel Race Bow Caddy Media interview Mike Sanderson, Bouwe Bekking, Matt Humphries, and cover off the Channel Race
Posted today at 2:26 am
Admirals Cup: Splits emerge on Day 2
The 30 boat fleet competing in the 2025 Admirals' Cup have begun to sort themselves into some order The 30 boat fleet competing in the 2025 Admirals' Cup have begun to sort themselves into a top group, which has begun a break away from the peleton.
Posted today at 12:03 am
Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Starts
Full-throttle Inshore Warfare The opening inshore clash of the 2025 Admiral's Cup was a gritty, high-octane showdown packed with drama and razor-sharp tactics.
Posted on 22 Jul
(More than) A Day at the Races
The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor, and I don't think I've ever known a time when so many great events are happening concurrently.
Posted on 22 Jul
Marine Auctions: July Online Auctions
Bidding to start 24th July and will end 30 July We are now accepting entries for our August Online Auction.
Posted on 22 Jul
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 5
Pierre Mortefon storms to victory in Slalom X Pierre Mortefon storms to victory in Slalom X, while Matteo Iachino and Maciek Rutkowski complete the podium. Freestyle kicks off on Wednesday.
Posted on 22 Jul
Were the Roos Robbed in Portsmouth?
We discuss the Race 6 Penalty with SailGP's Chief Umpire Craig Mitchell The high speed, short course action of SailGP is thrilling to watch, but inevitably causes tight situations and means the Umpires have to react quickly to decide who is right and who is wrong.
Posted on 22 Jul
Admiral's Cup David Maynard Tuesday Photo Gallery
The first inshore races were sailed in typical Solent conditions Tuesday saw the first inshore races of the 2025 Admiral's Cup, which were sailed in typical Solent conditions, with 15 to 20 knots of South Westerly wind. Two races were held, a short and a long inshore race, using channel markers for rounding.
Posted on 22 Jul
Performance Meets Savings For a Limited Time
Order new North Sails before July 31st to secure Trade In Trade Up preferred pricing Out with the old, in with performance. Order new sails before July 31st to secure Trade In Trade Up preferred pricing.
Posted on 22 Jul