Customer Reviews

The Why Book of Sailing: The Curious Sailor's Guide to the Science of Sailing and Seamanship

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I generally agree with the other reviewers about the author's ability to make sailing understandable within a framework of Physics and scientific explanations. However, the lack of proper editing of the book proved a severe annoyance. The figures and graphs are not numbered, and the illustrations are not properly referenced in the body of the text. Thus, if there are two graphs in close proximity, the reader has to guess which graph the author is referring to when attempting to clarify a particular point. Many of the sentences are painfully convoluted.
This otherwise useful volume needed a good copy editor.

This book provides a great description of many of the fundamental physical aspects of sailing. Perfect for the new sailor or the more experienced sailor that really wants a better understanding of the boat and the sea and their interactions.

This is an excellent, informative, and entertaining read written in a very accessible style.

Sure there's plenty of halyards, blocks, sloops, booms, furls, rhumb lines, doubloons and the like, but there also a genuine sense of wonder about the world in which we live that sailor and land-lover can share. The author demonstrates an uncanny ability to distill long and deep thought into clear, concise, and best of all interesting writing. A recommended read for anyone who simply enjoys the pleasure of finding things out!

I have been sailing for 30 years and have read many sailing books. Scott Welty uses his knowledge of physics and his knowledge of sailing to explain many features of sailing. For example: Why the boat floats, Details of navigation, old and new, and details about batteries and lighting.
These are all discussed in terms so you understand, again for example, why proper sail trim results in air flow to move the boat.
A great read.

You can tell that after a long career as a Physics teacher, the author still has a passion for science and its real world applications. Mr. Welty goes from channeling the brilliant Professor Whoopie from Tennessee Tuxedo to a little bit of McGyver to the Nobel Prize-winning carbon king Al Gore... effortlessly and smoothly tying it all together in a way that is both entertaining and informative. I'm looking forward to his next book where I hope he'll expound on how friction from corduroy pants may solve the energy crisis. Great book.

This book has more than the basics..... it includes the science behind various aspects of sailing, in understandable terms. A great book, simple to read. Knowledge is power, and this book made me more comfortable about sailing.

THE WHY BOOK OF SAILING: THE CURIOUS SAILOR'S GUIDE TO THE SCIENCE OF SAILING AND SEAMANSHIP blends sailing with science and surveys a range of topics using an easy question-and-answer format linking common sailing issues and questions with nautical science. Back and white photos pepper an account considering changes in navigation and piloting strategy based on science discoveries, how boats can dock more effectively, and much more. Both science and nautical libraries will find this appealing and easy to digest.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This author presents the physics behind sailing in such a way that it is usable information for your sailing skills improvement. That is, it doesn't get overly bogged down in mathematics and theory, it presents the information on why the sailboat and your instruments do what they do, and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage. I also recommend checking out "Float your boat" if you want more math and theory.

I've always been interested in how things work, so when I found this book, and the price was so great, I couldn't resist. I'm glad I didn't resist.

The book is easy to read, and the principles are presented in a clear and fun way. The author has a great sense of humor, and that made the book all the more enjoyable.

I found the book generally interesting and instructive. A good refresher for the experienced sailor and useful instruction for the novice. Author is a physics teacher and this comes out in his presentation.