Sailing: The Basics: The Book That Has Launched Thousands

Excellent book, a great intro. Goes beyond “the basics”. Would recommend to anybody new to sailing, as I am.

This book Is easy to understand for someone that has never sailed before. The diagrams are clear and well drawn. I fill like I could buy a used sail boat and adjust and tune the sails by myself. The book tells what to do in different weather situations from light wind to heavy weather. My only complaint is that I wish I had more to read. I would recommend this book for anyone new to sailing. It was my first book on sailing so I can't compare it to another.

This is an excellent guide for a new or want to be sailor. The information is given in small bites and the diagrams help with understanding what is being taught.

I found this book to be really great being a very novice person, wanting to sell I needed to know the basic terminology and techniques I would recommend this book

Great book - covers all the basics and is enough to get you to the point where you would feel comfortable taking some lessons. Even if you've already sailed before, it's a great "refresher" course on the basics of sailing and the "rules of the road."I first found this book at the library but I liked it so much, I bought it so I could go over it with my family as often as I wish...

As a Professional Home Designer in Florida, I welcome the addition of books with beautiful covers. This book will grace a side table or a bookshelf. Homeowners and guests will love the information inside. Informative and beautiful. A real win.

This book is the best introduction to sailing that I have seen. It covers much essential information beginners will be interested in. But, that said, some of the concepts will take some serious thinking to understand. I figure I will have to read and study it through several times before I can claim to understand it all. Not simple stuff, but necessary.

I'm not new in sailing, but bought the book because I'm moving from my native language to English (as you can see I'm still learning the later), and need to know the English expressions in sailing world. I was pleasantly surprised how much knowledge is packed in a such a tiny volume. The language is not complicated and every beginner can learn a lot. As a matter of fact, I just bought a second copy as a present for my friend, who started to sail with me and is eager to know more about the topic.

As a sailor and cruiser for over 12 years, I really like the simplified style that comes straight to the point. Franzel also states right at the beginning that no one should just read it right to the end but go sailing a lot inbetween, which I couldn't agree more. The questions about what is sailing about and how it works are quickly answered, with more details to come when you're ready for it.But there is one thing about the flying or accidental jibe that he doesn't get quite right (p 23 Fig. 2.18): it hits you earlier than described, for a little different reason. The more straight you're running downwind, the more twirls you get on mainsail's leech. It starts folding your main up at the head, advancing quickly downwards, much earlier than described, and so the described "Blam!" hits you earlier than expected. You don't want this to happen with a mainsail the size of an 18 wheeler.Keeping that in mind, that little book opens you the wonderful world of sailing!

Easy to read and understand for novice sailors. On the other hand it has lots of neat facts that I consider intermediate. Overall its a great reference book for any sailor!

Great book, easy to understand and arrived quickly!

Very good for a beginner. Good diagrams.

Anyone that needs to learn sailing should get a hold on this book.There are many other out there but it is a great source-book.