The Complete Book Of Laser Sailing

CHAPTER 1. Loomings. Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off—then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.

The Complete Book of Laser Sailing is the most comprehensive book ever publishedabout successfully sailing and racing this popular and challenging single-handed racing boat. This book tells the budding racer what they need to know about the boat itself and gives the latest thinking on how to set it up and sail it. It includes: · latest information on upwind and downwind techniques · equipment, and rigging techniques · the Laser Radial and Masters racing · interviews with champion Laser racers · listings of major competition results since 1990, including the Olympics, and Radial and Masters classes. 'Tillman is a well-known Laser expert… and his book is a fine-tuned guide to everything anyone could ever need or want to know about the Laser. Whether you are looking to learn the basics… or to refine your techniques, here's the starting point' Sailing 'This book will most certainly help make you a better sailor and could help you become a champion' Soundings

A completely revised, colour edition of THE Laser sailing manual giving essential information and tips for faster, smarter Laser sailing. This book takes a complete beginner up to Club Champion standard. It teaches everything from the essentials of sailing theory and rigging, through faster upwind and downwind sailing, to racing tactics and how to outsmart the opposition.The essential skills that are covered in this book will also useful to radio controlled Laser sailors who will find that many of the areas of covered also apply to the RC Lasers, in particular faster sailing and racing tactics.

How to rig, sail, maintain, and cartop the Laser. Advanced racing techniques. How-to interviews with expert sailors. Listing of past winners of major worldwide champions. Introduces Masters sailing for the over-35 set.

"Bursting with practical advice on rigging, launching and sailing in all conditions, this is the ultimate guide for all Laser sailors, whatever your level. We tell you everything you need to know, from setting up, right through to sailing your Laser. The book also includes: Setting up new control lines; Mastering the Standard, 4.7 and Radial rigs; Going faster - upwind and downwind; Avoiding common mistakes; Outsmarting the opposition." -- from rear cover.

Dinghy Sailing: Start to Finish is a complete reference for every level of sailor whether you are a beginner and need a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide or are taking your sailing to the next level and looking for the professional tips and tricks that will get you sailing faster, better, safer and having more fun. It includes single-handed dinghies through to planing speed craft. Full colour with 150 fantastic, clear illustrations and 150 photographs, Dinghy Sailing: Start to Finish gives the reader a thorough, complete and visual guide to life on the water. Packed with expert advice from the professionals at UKSA, the book covers: Basic Principles Parts of the boat - exploded illustrations of a dinghy and components How a boat sails - Sailing theory explained Points of sailing - Sailing a dinghy at different angles to the wind Choosing a dinghy - Types of boat and their suitability Preparing to sail - Safety afloat, practical clothing, rigging to launching. Knots and Ropes - Practical illustrations for basic knots and splices Transporting dinghies -Road trailer to roof racks Sailing for the first time - Balance, sail trim Rowing and paddling Rules of the road - Avoiding other boats, Rights of way, Basic racing rules Understanding tides and currents Weather forecasting - How to spot tell-tale signs of change in wind and weather Basic Techniques Tacking Gybing Beating to windward Reaching Running Spinnaker handling Capsize and recovery Returning to shore Packing the dingy away Maintenance Advanced Dinghy Sailing High performance dinghies and catamarans Trapezing Asymmetric spinnakers - Setting, handling and gybing Singlehanded sailing - dinghies and catamarans Tuning - dinghies and catamarans Heavy weather sailing - dinghies and catamarans The Basics of Racing The start - Practical lessons and rules explained First leg tactics - Practical lessons and rules explained Reaching - Practical lessons and rules explained Running - Practical lessons and rules explained Glossary of Terms