Learn To Sail: A Beginner's Guide to the Art, Equipment, and Language of Sailing on a Lake or Ocean [Hardcover]

Dennis Conner (Author), Michael Levitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 1994

The world-famous sailor presents a beginner's guide to sailing that covers such basics as boat selection, terminology, weather interpretation, and fundamental sailing principles.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Clearly written and profusely illustrated, this good, solid item for would-be sailors comes from the coauthors of Sail Like a Champion (LJ 7/92). Conner, who is well known as an America's Cup-winning skipper, peppers the text with many of his own experiences. Included are chapters on nomenclature (with particularly useful advice as to which terms are no longer used), as well as knots, rules of the road, and the handling of emergencies. There is, however, very little racing information (e.g., no advice is given regarding the setting and flying of spinnakers). The authors firmly advocate combining use of this book with hands-on practical experience. Their experience, combined with the book's readable format, make this a worthwhile acquisition for many collections.
Robert E. GreenINfield, formerly with Baltimore Cty. P.L.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Four-time America's Cup champion Dennis Conner is probably the most famous sailor since Popeye. Rather than recounting his triumphs, as he's done in several earlier books, Conner turns his attention here to novice sailors. This beginner's guide to the sport's "art, equipment, and language" effectively takes the mystery out of sailing and its arcane vocabulary. Conner recommends boats on which to learn, defines sailing etiquette, offers weather analysis, and discusses sailing under adverse conditions and coping with emergencies. For those who couldn't get that merit badge on tying knots, he includes a helpful, well-illustrated chapter called "The Ties That Bind." Safety is emphasized throughout, whether it's deciding if today's a good sailing day or if it's time to dock the boat. Though sailing is an activity that demands personalized, hands-on instruction, this is an excellent introduction to the principles of the sport. Conner never talks down to his students; he clearly loves sailing and can't help but communicate his passion. Wes Lukowsky

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (May 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312110200
• ISBN-13: 978-0312110208
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #354,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book available for absolute beginners. Excellent!, April 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Learn To Sail: A Beginner's Guide to the Art, Equipment, and Language of Sailing on a Lake or Ocean (Hardcover)

Having sailed for less than a year, I recently took formal lessons and bought a dizzying array of books to bring my level of seamanship up to par. For all intents and purposes, I was just a step above being an absolute beginner. Conner's book is better than any of the official "sailing association" texts for students who want to progress from knowing nothing to intermediate sailing in an easy to understand and wonderfully clear manner. No intimidating phraseology, and no presumption of prior knowledge. Plain simple talk for plain simple folk who want to begin sailing. Truly the best beginner's text I've seen. And I've seen plenty! My only reservation is that the book doesn't really cover "heaving to" and "heavy weather sailing" as much as I think it could. But a good argument could be made that students would learn that subject matter in more advanced lessons. All in all - the best available sailing text for absolute beginners. A real gem

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book if you ignore the "bragging"., April 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Learn To Sail: A Beginner's Guide to the Art, Equipment, and Language of Sailing on a Lake or Ocean (Hardcover)

I'm a sailor and recently purchased this book as a refernce for my wife who is just getting into the sport.

We've found the book an excellent "learn to sail" guide. The text is well thought out and the diagrams are good. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in learning to sail.

The drawback to the book is Dennis Connor's constant references to his own sailing victories (there's one every few pages). He even brags about the shamefull incident where he found that the only way he could win back the Americas Cup from the Kiwis was to use a catamaran and a courtroom.

This aside, this is still a book worth buying.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Has everything for the beginning sailor., December 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Learn To Sail: A Beginner's Guide to the Art, Equipment, and Language of Sailing on a Lake or Ocean (Hardcover)

This text was great for the beginner. It teaches how to sail small boats in protected waters very well. It teaches how sailboats work in simple accurate terms. Topics such as: types of boats, types of rigs, parts of a boat, directions, types of sails, and sailing angles are covered. It teaches: how sailboats work, safety, hoisting sails, knots and sailing effectively at all angles to the wind. It teaches how to launch and put your boat away. I learned everything I needed to sail my small sailboat in protected waters with this book. Whenever I had some difficulties out on the water, I was able to refer to this book for accurate assistance. I feel that this is one of the best books for the beginning sailor.