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Getting Started in Sailboat Racing, 2nd Edition

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Everything you need to race your way up through the fleet If you sail--even a little--you've probably thought about trying your hand at racing. Now you can stop thinking and do it. Getting Started in Sailboat Racing makes this endlessly fascinating lifetime sport accessible to anyone who wants to give it a try, whether you own a sailboat, are hoping to crew, or spectating from a nearby perch.

This complete course in racing fundamentals breaks the racing experience down into bite-size pieces, making the process easier to understand and reflecting the leg-by-leg nature of a typical race. With scores of helpful illustrations, this user-friendly manual takes you around the buoys, explaining new rule changes and tactics that apply to each part of the race.

You'll learn how to:

Execute quick, competitive starts
Maximize speed and efficiency on the windward leg
Maneuver for position around the windward mark
Take full advantage of downwind and reaching legs
Handle the spinnaker (even when asymmetrical), and beat the crowd at the jibe and leeward marks
Eke out every last bit of speed as you sprint to the finish
There are few things in this world more satisfying than racing a sailboat. Get in on the action and find out what you've been missing. All you need is a competitive spirit and a little help from Getting Started in Sailboat Racing.

Cort and Stearns deftly break down racing, from start to finish, into basic elements, making the sport more accessible by giving the novice a strong understanding of the fundamentals . . . this book should be required reading for anyone wanting to get out on the course. The book goes into enough detail on tactics and sail trim to make the average sailor not only comfortable on the racecourse, but competitive, as well. -- SAILING

With Cort and Stearns' enthusiasm for the topic and straightforward advice, it's hard not to read this book without picturing yourself rounding the buoys just ahead of the rest of the fleet. -- Soundings

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2004

54 people are currently reading
39 people want to read

About the author

Adam Cort

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
2 reviews
June 14, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.

The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.

For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...

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Profile Image for Robert Birnie.
12 reviews3 followers
October 25, 2010
Pretty good premier into sailboat racing strategy. They approach the topic from the standpoint of simplicity and target toward the beginner. Which still is tons of information but gives enough to get started. They don't cover hardly anything about how to sail, because the assume the reader already knows this, they do go into more advanced methods of trimming the boat though.

All around a good quick read that gives a lot of value.
2 reviews
April 11, 2016
Very up to date and easy to read

A very current version of sailing information for different types of boats. Covers the basics of sailing very well. Great book for starting to learn racing.
Profile Image for Jmaynard9221.
23 reviews4 followers
Currently reading
July 1, 2008
very nicely written--fun to read! (If you like to sail, that is)
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