Customer Reviews

Sail Power: The Complete Guide to Sails and Sail Handling

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is perhaps the best book for sailors to read, Fully comprehensive, it covers basic ideas like the slot theory, but also explains the Kutta-Joukowski theory that defies it. Ross goes on to describe other simple things as well as things that are not so simple. The book is well laid-out; chapters are in good order, more complex details towards the end of the book. What the table of contents does not tell about the location of a particular subject, the complete index does. At least as much testing of these theories as research went into the writing of this book. Although the thickness of the book attests to the complexity of the sport, its author explains each detail in a wonderfully simple style. No other book does so great a job of explaining the sport from beginniners to professionals

Much of this old "bible" of sailing has been out of date for some time. The worst areas are those regarding the physics of sailing. Old saws such as the "slot effect" and the "aerofoil lift effect" are no longer given credence in the industry. As a partical guide for the beginning sailor, the rest of the book is useable, although there are many better books available on the market. The Glennans Sailing Manual, for one. I would not waste my money on this out of print, out of date book.

I heartly agree with Kip Putnam... This is perhaps the best book for sailors to read, it should be in every avid sailors library. Fully comprehensive, it covers basic sailing theory but also explains in easy to comprehend english the finer most complicated details fo sailing. I purchased the hardcover version in 1976 and have used it consistantly ever since. Mr. Putnam's comment, "No other book does so great a job of explaining the sport from beginniners to professionals." is oh so true.

I, too, bought Sail Power in hardcover in the early 80's when I lived in Hong Kong and getting into racing. I wanted an in-depth, authoritative and highly-useful book to be my bible on sail trim. This is it, for both theory and practice (which it combines with practical text and good supporting diagrams). I've been racing since 1978, have a degree in mathematics, and believe that understanding the interplay of technology and natural forces is part of the joy of sailing, so I care about getting it right and this book have served me in very good stead - in round-the-marks racing and in a typhoon in the South China Sea. From the basics of wind gradients and the imprtance of "apparent wind", to controlling sail "twist" (and when and why), to being able to glance at other boats in a race and immediately see mistakes in their spinnaker set ups, to learning the interplay of cunninghams, outhauls, vangs, travelers, and halyards. Knowing "Ross" got me many good "rides" as foredeck crew on passage-making races. If you really want to understand the game, you need an in-depth book like this, not the lightweight "learn to sail" texts. I have at least one big Silver Cup that I won because of Sail Power. I see that other reviewers suggest alternatives - You might do well from differing approaches but I suggest that it is well worth the cost to have Sail Power, regardless of what else you choose. When I find something better, I promise to come back here and say so.

This is an excellent book that tells you everything you need to know about how a sail works. Great illustrations and lots of detail. On the down side, it's pretty technical and in some places can be hard to follow for a novice.

This revised edition is even better than the 1975 version.
Te aerodynamics explined makes more sens and actually confirms behavior I have seen while sailing (like thge main helps the jib rather than vice versa. This is an excellent reference with exquisite details on all points of sail trim. a must for any serious sailor.
Grace & Peace
Roy ASail Power: The Complete Guide to Sails and Sail Handlinglexander

This is the most dynamic, interesting, and complete treatment of the subject. The author explains complex physics in a very understandable and facinating way. There is no esoterism or boring eggheadism here. This will help me tremendously in the techniques of sail handling. We are taking a delivery of a new, very powerful sailing yacht. I had great apprehensions over my ability to handle this vessel. Now, I am very encouraged that we can do this very well.

I shy away from doing reviews, because I am often accused of being overly critical, but when I saw someone wrote that this book is "out of date" I simply could not contain myself.

Sailing is as old a technology, it's old! And Ross addresses exactly what the title says "Sail Power". You could take a sheet and some broom handles, and the knowledge in this book would apply. You could take a solid carbon-fibre wing and it applies. Ross explains how it works, it's up to you to apply the knowledge. The notion that the knowledge in this book could EVER go out of date is silly. This is a book that requires study, not just a breeze through and I suspect those who don't get much out of it, didn't try very hard. If you're looking for a book that tells you what to do, look elsewhere. If you're curious to understand HOW sails work, you've found a goldmine!

Masts change, sails change, but aerodynamics don't. There is nothing in this book that can't be applied for ever and ever. Best book ever on getting power from a sail.

Very good resource for the dynamics of wind power, sail design and proper use, but I expected a little more about the true basics like hardware, vessel design and derminology.

While this is an old book, taking issue with it discussing the slot effect and the airfoil effect is unfair in that they specifically are saying why these explanations are not correct. They ask the question, if the airfoil effect is correct, why can an airplane fly upside down. They go on to discuss circulating air flows around the sails that do a better job of explaining things. I have seen these explanations in the most modern books and have seen the air foil (which neither of us like) in more modern books as well. It is a very good book but it is clearly talking about older stuff. But as the owner of a 50 year old boat, I found it valuable.

Allen