Now in its 63rd edition, Charles Frederic Chapman's masterpiece is a boater's bible. It's more than just a basic text, however; it's a complete curriculum of nautical knowledge, from knots to navigation, docking to distress calls, plus etiquette, protocol, and terminology for powerboaters and sailors alike. Accessible to the beginner, Chapman Piloting is an essential reference for even the most experienced sailor. A necessary component of any nautical library.

The US Red Cross and US Sailing use this book as the newly revised mainstay of their program which is probably the most advanced in the world.

An excellent guide for novice sailors ready to get their feet wet. This comprehensive manual helps beginners learn basic sailing and coastal cruising with step-by-step instructions for everything from hoisting the sail to docking.

After viewing simple line drawings that explain how the sail, ropes, centerboard and tiller work together, readers then turn to the intricacies of tacking into the wind, running with it, or coming about. Reading this book before putting out for the first sortie will give any new captain steadier sea legs.

"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 

With the usual cargo of good humor and demystifying tone, this mast in the Dummies armada lifts the fog on confusing nautical language, teaches the basics about maneuvering a sailboat from dock to open ocean, floats important safety information, and offers advice and info on a variety of related issues.

Four-time America's Cup champion Dennis Conner recommends boats on which to learn, defines sailing etiquette, offers weather analysis, and discusses sailing under adverse conditions and coping with emergencies. This beginner's guide to the sport's "art, equipment, and language" effectively takes the mystery out of sailing and its arcane vocabulary.

The Essential Sailor will carry the absolute beginner to a fundamental mastery of the basics of sailing and will also introduce him or her to a few more advanced techniques of sail trim, handling strong winds, etc.

In this essential introductory guide, noted sailing designer and author Roger Marshall acquaints the beginner with all of the basics-the language of sailing, the equipment choices involved, the safety precautions-needed to get out on the water. He also provides further instruction on "the rules of the road," as well as how (and with what) to navigate, how to read charts, and how to purchase a boat.

Learn to Sail in a Weekend provides in one clear handbook a concentrated, highly structured program that shows the novice - step by step, hour by hour - how to master the fundamental skills of sailing in one weekend.

This US Sailing text leads you through the essential principles of safe, confident daysailing more clearly and faster than ever. This book breaks down the fundamentals of sailing, into digestible bits and pieces, with fantastic illustrations which help people to learn.

This book is second of the US Sailing textbooks for the learning to sail and mastering keelboats, and is usually associated with a course of the same name.

You're no idiot, of course. But when it comes to boating, you don't know the bow from the stern. Don't abandon ship yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Boating and Sailing teaches you everything you need to know to get your feet wet in this exciting recreational sport.

Boating knowledge has never been this easy to acquire, at home or on the water. The elements of seamanship are in your hands. In this handy little volume, Roger Siminoff shares the wisdom and practical experience he's earned the hard way - from years on the water.

The author starts with the basics of boating, like why a boat floats and what makes a quality boat and smoothly builds to more complicated topics like boat handling, docking, proper line usage, and weather emergencies.