The Complete Sailor

by David Seidman

This is not just an instructional book---it's an insight into a sailor's approach to the sea, boats, and the ever-changing dynamic of wind on the water

"A learn-to-sail book with heart."--WoodenBoat
"A real winner...a masterful blend of straightforward text with delightful and instructive illustrations. Quite simply a great primer on sailing and the world of boats for readers of all ages."--Cruising World
"Teaches sailing with flair and poetry."--SAIL
"A great walk-through for the novice, both entertaining and thorough."--Sailing
"Sits in a class by itself. Elegantly simple, encyclopedic in scope, and a delightful reference for any novice--with lots to offer intermediate sailors, too."--Kalamazoo Gazette

If you never sailed, sailed once, or have sailed for a lifetime, this book is perfect for beginners but deep enough content for those interested in going beyond basics. Revised and expanded to include racing and GPS navigation, The Complete Sailor is not just a how-to sail book, but a book that teaches you how to become a sailor.

Inside you'll


An all-in-one, comprehensive introduction to sailing Up-to-date information on techniques and approaches offered by the changing nature of the sport Exquisite pen-and-ink illustrations Topics Wind Sense; Working Winds; Getting Underway; The Boat; Rigging; Sails; Under Power; Rules of the Road; Anchoring; Ropework; Marlinspike Seamanship; Emergencies; Sea and Sky; Navigation; Racing; Trailering

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help, Sports, Nautical, Research, Maritime

424 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 1995

About the author

David Seidman is a Los Angeles–area journalist, editor, and author who often writes nonfiction for teens. He comes to the topic of atheism with empathy
for teenagers and for people in the religious minority, but he’s nobody’s advocate. He has written on topics as diverse as a US president, civil rights, teens
in Iran, and holiday lights displays.

Reviews

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to get a better grasp on sailing basics. I've been sailing for two years now, and I found that I was learning a lot -- or finding that I was gaining a clearer picture of concepts I already understood. The language is down to earth and accessible, and the illustrations are whimsical and very fun. I also give this book credit for having one of the clearest eye-splice directions and illustrations out of any book I've read so far. I wouldn't reccomend this for people looking to expand their knowledge of marlinespike seamanship, but if you want a good grasp of wind direction, basic sailing terms, and the purpose of sails this would be the one.

[Rachelle Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book by my boyfriend who has been sailing his whole life. I probably would have given this more stars if I had a boat to apply what I learned. It was, however, easy to understand for someone who knew absolutely nothing about sailing. Also I did notice that after I read this book I was able to better comprehend my boyfriend's family's sailing stories.

[Sabrina Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for research purposes. A really great reference book. It has a lot of illustrations, which makes things easier to understand for someone who is trying to grasp the basics of sailing. Seems like this would be good for either a beginner or seasoned sailor. Much easier to understand than Sailing for Dummies.

[Sérgio Isidoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pros: A great introduction to sailing, enough to jumpstart your knowledge. The illustrations are great and give the book a handcraft feel.

Cons: The book could easily be international but makes brief references to the USA geography and weather patterns, sometimes not disclosing that its talking about the USA. It could easily use international metric system along the imperial one.

[Sean Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent single source for sailing knowledge, covering every imaginable topic. Made even better by the excellent illustrations, which are whimsical yet quite educational.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult read. This reads like a textbook. There's a whole lot of new boat terminology in sailing, even for those of us who are retired Navy.

This book covers just about everything you'll want to know about sailing. It starts with the basics- the left side of the boat is port. It then goes through intermediate knowledge (wind speed is interesting but not that useful, wind pressure is crucial). Then into the hard stuff (jibing with a spinnaker? Seriously?? I thought cruel and unusual punishment had been abolished).

The book includes some amusing anecdotes, such as sounds you don't want to hear when you're sailing in fog and can't see anything- a Good Humor truck (yikes!)

If you're a beginning or intermediate sailor, this is an excellent book.

[John Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, the illustrations are amazing and made this book. I think this book would be a good reference once you were familiar with sailing, but it is too jargon filled to be useful for a beginner. You get the faint idea that you understand what is going on, but not the confidence to actually execute anything. That may have more to do with the activity of sailing where no book can replace the actual experience of doing it, but I found myself lost for much of the book because I couldn't remember a specific term that was previously used.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of small insights and invaluable learnings. A few chapters (trailer sailing etc.) not so applicable that left me feeling lost. Otherwise glad I read.

[Jasper Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for a day skipper looking to firm up their understanding of the basics of sailing. This book is great at taking complex elements and making them relatively easy to understand

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably as good as a book about learning to sail can be. The illustrations are lovely and the prose has a real gleam in its eye.

I haven't drowned yet.

[Hunter Holt-Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Highest Storm Rating: Swear Oaths you will not keep once back on land."

11/10 advice, great book. Feel like I could sail the seas now... if I didn't live in a landlocked area.

[Spencer Glancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of my fondest childhood memories took place on the ocean. I've always found it soothing, and it's difficult for me to think a more beautiful scene in nature than a calm ocean sunset. In the hopes of keeping the ocean a part of my life, I read this book to introduce myself to the world of sailing.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is much like a sailing "textbook" in that it provides enough technical knowledge and detail that, after some studying, would be enough for the reader to get started tacking and jibing in a small boat of his own under calm conditions. But it is also very much not like a textbook as the author lets his passion for the sport shine through with occasional eloquence more like you would find in a novel. I dream that someday soon I will get to apply what I learned and develop a similar passion.

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I consider how many other books I have given five stars, I feel remiss giving this one only four. Because if I need to recommend to a beginner what book will teach him or her to sail, this is the book. It is solid and simple, immediately comprehensible and clearly illustrated. It also enough for all but the most advanced sailor.

It's also a friendly book one that welcomes neophytes and doesn't act as if sailing is either a religion or a strictly empirical exercise. Sailing, in fact, is something in between these two, and this book acknowledges the desire for an aesthetic experience that sailing represents.

This is the book I bought my wife when she wanted to learn to sail.

For beginners, this is the best sailing book I've found.

[Ardee-El · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good resource! I don__t think you can really learn sailing from a book, but if you could, this would be the one. Actually the illustrator (Kelly Mulford) deserves as much credit as the author (David Seidman), for illustrations that illuminate and clarify__and thankfully putting individual aspects of sailing on the same page, so you don__t have to go thumbing through the book to find what you need.

If I were to make any additions, it would be a glossary (seemingly a thing of the past in manuals such as this) and a section not on what to do in an emergency, but spelling out what a ship__s responsibilities are to other ships in distress. I__m guessing this is codified somewhere either in law or etiquette, but I didn__t find it here.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great beginner's book about sailing. Line drawings and sketches that a child could understand, but they are very professionally drawn, complete, and pleasing to look at. Most of my questions were answered right there. It is well-written, at times even poetic. This guy really loves sailing and boats. A friend is going to start teaching me this weekend, and I can't wait to learn how to sail! I feel like I have as much as I need to get started from this book alone. (I read several others, this is by far the best.)

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a classic book of beginner's sailing instruction. It's quite easy to follow and to understand, with excellent, clear, cartoon-like illustrations (very effective, in my opinion). Though aimed at beginning sailors, possibly at rather young sailors in fact, it dives right in and introduces all the nomenclature and parts of a boat, how to sail at all points of the wind, and so on. Highly recommended.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a decent book with great diagrams. What I would have liked to see which would have greatly improved the book was a glossary of terms. I found that the author often defined a sailing term once and then the reader was expected to remember that word from that point on, which was very frustrating for a book that's supposed to be for new sailors. I didn't dislike it, really; I would ideally like to give it 2 1/2 stars.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

David & Kelly (the illustrator) provide an excellent introduction to sailing in an organized, cover to cover readable way. It does well to brief on broad topics, allowing you to know that practical experience is needed before the next steps. It helps one 'know what they don't know.' I have dog-eared some pages as good references and will most likely refer to others when needed.

It also has some memorable sayings and fun quotes!

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book after taking a sailing class. I have not actually read through the entire book from beginning to end, but have found it to be a great resource and something I often refer to before going sailing when it's been a while since my last trip. A great book that I will keep on my shelf for many years to come.

[Nicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note that my rating is based on a single read through, and without going on a boat yet. There were parts I definitely enjoyed and found interesting, but it was also difficult to slog through jargon, not all of which was well explained. I think it would be better both to go between boat and the book some, and to do multiple read throughs.

[Sshelline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the art of sailing. I'm just starting out, but this is both a good read and a good reference, so I expect to return to it many times in the years to come.

I especially appreciated the drawings, which simply and clearly explain difficult concepts and terminology.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book because I had started sailing by trial and error, and I wanted to find out what I was doing right, and what I should do differently. What a gem of a book. This is a thin book, but the amount of clear and simple detailed information is incredible.

[Petr Chloupek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know. A good first book about sailing. But, this is not a textbook ONLY. It is fun to read and also show the philosophy of traditional sailing. It's not about being the smartest or fastest in the competitions. It's about joy and having fun while staying safe on the sea.

[Redbeard5451 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for an introduction to sailing- the standard issue manual for Seattle's Center for Wooden Boats SAILNOW program.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent intro to sailing with lots of great illustrations. A lot of good information.

[Mr. Wakiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice primer

[Daniel Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone interested in sailing both as a sport, as a hobby or as a spiritual path. Maybe too focused on a north-american audience, but 5 stars anyway.

[Brian Durance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute but very helpful illustrations, clear explanations of just about everything that seemed complicated before reading, and confirmation of stuff I thought I knew