The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing [Paperback]

David Seidman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995

The Complete Sailor takes the reader from the first sail to a mastery of small-boat handling. Weaving his writing around 600 drawings by noted marine illustrator Kelly Mulford, David Seidman has created a book in which each double-page spread invites the eye and communicates volumes of information. The Complete Sailor goes beyond other learn-to-sail books to cover navigation, boat design, and seamanship. Encyclopedic in scope yet warm in style, it conveys the magic as well as the techniques of sailing. Among the other topics covered: anchoring, ropework, rigging, weather, fog, squalls, currents and tides, rules of the road, trailering, and working the winds. The book is a gentle introduction for those just starting out, and a guide to new horizons for those who already sail.

Editorial Reviews

Review

``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 )

About the Author

David Seidman (Oak Beach, NY) has spent a good portion of his life finding his way around the world. He has crossed oceans, toured central Asia and Mongolia without a map or the ability to speak the language, and found a Mayan ruin in Guatemala. He is the author of The Essential Sea Kayaker, The Essential Wilderness Navigator, and The Complete Sailor and a former editor of Boating magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070571317
• ISBN-13: 978-0070571310
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the best book for a "true" beginner., April 16, 2006

By 

John Ergle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing (Paperback)

I bought this book, as well as "Sailing for Dummies" and "Learning to Sail - the Annapolis sailing school guide for all ages", and I have to say, the Complete Sailor is the worst of the three, at least for someone who has no previous knowledge of sailing. It was an interesting book with a wide variety of topics covered, but I think it would be better suited to someone with at least a basic knowledge of how to sail. If you truly want to LEARN to sail, the Annapolis book is the best and simplest of the three, particularly if you're learning on a dinghy like me.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book for beginner through intermediate, September 30, 2001

By 

G. Russell (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing (Paperback)

After sailing for 30 years, I was looking for a book for my children to use to give them a solid foundation. I ordered another 5 star book recommended by sailing schools, but ran across this one at the library.

This book is head and shoulders above the other. It covers all the basics in an easy to read style, and the huge number of detailed drawings are both beautiful and incredibly informative.
In addition to the basic stuff you need to know to sail a small boat, it also has a wealth of deeper information, about everything from bouyancy and balance, to boat construction and history.

I'm buying a copy for each of my kids, and recommending it to my sailing friends. As for the other books, I will probably either return them, or leave them to gather dust on a shelf.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are going to buy on book on sailing..., October 22, 2006

By 

Traveller "Stu" (High Mountains of Northern Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing (Paperback)

this is it!

If you are looking for a book that will give the basics of sailing, this book has it.

If you are looking for a long-term reference to remind you of the details, this is it.

If you are looking for a book to have on-board for novices during bareboat cruises, this is it.

If you are looking for a book that the novices could use to critique your skills, this is it.

Unfortunately, I purchased this book after going through ASA sailing school. I have read the ASA and the US Sail course books to the bareboat chartering level. From a sailing skills point of view, this book beats them hands down.

The illustrations are enchanting. They draw the reader into each topic. At the same time, the concisely present the key information needed to grasp the topic.

This will be coming with me on all of my bareboat trips!

Anyone got a scuba book like this?