The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing (Paperback)

by David Seidman (Author) "Sailing is not a science that can be practiced with precision..." (more)
Key Phrases: lubber line, topping lift, apparent wind, Coast Guard, Great Lakes, America's Cup (more...)

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

"An introductory book with heart; i.e., the traditional arts of the sailor are emphasized over 'launch her and drive her'; excellent illustrations." -- WoodenBoat

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 )

See all Editorial Reviews

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 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Education Theory > Physical Education
  #4 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Boating
  #7 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Sailing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 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)

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.

20 of 20 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)

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.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Sailing For Dummies for dummies like me., March 16, 2004

By	James Doughty "jamez1965" (Reynoldsburg, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wish I had gotten this before I bought Sailing For Dummies. Sailing For Dummies somehow left me with a lot of unanswered basic questions about sailing. Complete Sailor answered those questions. Complete Sailor also has more illustrations that provide a clearer understanding of just what the heck the author's talking about.