A Manual of Sail Trim

by Stuart H. Walker

A guide for racing covers the principles of sail trim, crew movement techniques, maneuvers, and control systems, and gives advice on adjusting to special conditions. Illustrated throughout

252 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1985

Reviews

[Michal Paszkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

No doubt comprehensive and possibly the best book of its kind. The author spares no details. However, I find the book lacked two things:
1. An introduction to the boat and the terms used. Sure, the book is targetting at least an intermediate audience, but that doesn't take into consideration people who may have learnt to sail in a different language or those who are happy with a steep learning curve and would like a book that contains everything they need.
2. Diagrams. Many sections lack diagrams and many of the diagrams already present could easily be improved on.

[James Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several of Mr. Walker's books. He goes into the details like no one else does. It is a bit laborious a times, but that is what it takes to be a national champion like he is. It is vital information. If you are a dinghy racer you can get a lot of information on sail trim and boat handling techniques from this. Walker was a well known International 14 champion and has written extensively on the psychology and tactics of winning races. The book comes complete with detailed charts on sail trim and boat trim for many differing wind and sea conditions for each sail and each point of sailing. It becomes a large number of possible permutations when you consider the rake of the mast, the bend of the mast, the sheeting, vang, outhaul and cunningham of the main, the traveler, and then the sheet, twist, sag, luff and tack of the jib, not to mention the fore and aft and lateral positions: and each of those vary with with each increment wave action and wind speed! He suggests a chart for your boat with no less than 272 entries!!! Well I suppose that's why it takes a life time to be a consistent wining racer in sailboats. Then again, you have to consider strategy in addition to all this, and Walker has written at least three other books on that topic.

[Osman Akan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely not for a beginner, concept of sailing in gears is usually used in racing. Unless you race, this book will frustrate you with complex topics.

[Dwayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might as well learn how to do this.