Annapolis Book of Seamanship

John Rousmaniere, a devoted sailor since youth, has some 40,000 miles of blue water behind him, including ocean passages, nine Newport–Bermuda Races, and other major races in small and big boats.In 2013 the US Sailing Association honored Rousmaniere’s work in boating education, including The Annapolis Book of Seamanship, by presenting him with its Timothea Larr Award, which recognizes “a person whose vision and guidance have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of sailor education in the United States.”He has spoken at more than 100 safety seminars and clinics across North America and served on the Safety-at-Sea Committees of US Sailing and the Cruising Club of America, the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee, and review panels of boating accidents. He is a member of the Cruising Club of America, the New York Yacht Club, and US Sailing, and serves on the selection committees of the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.He coordinated the US Sailing Association’s Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal program, which recognizes mariners who make rescues. John’s videos include The Annapolis Book of Seamanship DVD Series. In 2014 Mystic Seaport presented him its W.P. Stephens Award for contributions to yachting history.Rousmaniere is a chronicler of the pastime he loves. He has written books about sailing history, yacht design, the America’s Cup, maritime photography, and storms. His book Fastnet, Force 10 was hailed as “A narrative worthy of the best sea literature.” Stuart Woods said about After the Storm, “No one writes about the violence of the sea better than John Rousmaniere.”Descended from a French soldier who fought in the American Revolution, Rousmaniere lives in New York City with his wife, Leah Ruth Robinson. He takes special pleasure racing in classic wooden boats, cruising across the Gulf Stream in more modern ones, and exploring marshes with his grandchildren in a small catboat.

“The Annapolis Book of Seamanship is an essential book for every mariner, and a must-read reference for every seasoned or first-time sailor. I keep one copy at home and another on my boat. Every topic is easy to find, and the graphics and pictures are extremely helpful. John has had a remarkable career as a top small boat sailor, blue water racer, and adventure cruiser and is one of America's most acclaimed experts on safety at sea.”

• ContentsPrefaceNew in This EditionSeamanship and RomanceChapter 1: The BoatThe Parts of a BoatBending on SailsHow Boats WorkBoat DimensionsThe Lines PlanBoat SelectionMultihullsConstruction MaterialsThe RigTraditional RigsSail FurlingChapter 2: Getting Under WayThe Points of SailTrue Wind and Apparent WindBasic Sail TrimmingChanging TacksStopping the Boat Personal and Boat PreparationsGetting GoingBoat-Handling DrillsRules of the RoadComing Back InManeuvering Under PowerTips for Better Boat HandlingChapter 3: Sail TrimSail ControlsSail Materials and DesignSail TypesSail ShapeDetermining Wind DirectionSail Trim in Light to Moderate ConditionsDepowering in Fresh and Strong WindsHow Boats BalanceBoat-Handling DrillsHow to Measure Weather HelmUpwind Sailing TechniquesDownwind Sailing TechniquesThe SpinnakerThe Asymmetrical SpinnakerSail Care and RepairChapter 4: WeatherThe Daily Weather CycleThe Prevailing Southwest WindThe Thermal EffectTrade WindsHighs and LowsFrontsLow-Pressure SystemsA Classic StormSquallsFogWeather ForecastingWeather Signs and SayingsWaves and TidesHow Hard Is It Really Blowing?Chapter 5: Sail-Handling Gear and KnotsLine and RopeLineWire RopeLine MaintenanceKnotsThe Preventer, Vang, and Topping LiftCleatsBlocks, Tackles, and ShacklesWinchesChapter 6: The Sailor's HealthRoles on BoardClothingFoul-Weather GearMedical ProblemsFirst AidChapter 7: Personal SafetyLife JacketsStaying on BoardSafety HarnessesCrew-Overboard RescueThe Lifesling SystemChapter 8: Rules of the RoadThe Rules in SummaryNavigation LightsManeuvering in Collision SituationsChapter 9: Navigation AidsBuoysLighthousesChartsOther PublicationsChapter 10: The Magnetic CompassparMagnetic North and the First CompassMagnetic North and True NorthVariationParts of the CompassCompass TypesDeviationCorrecting Compass ErrorChapter 11: Plotting and Position FindingA Navigator's ToolsMagnetic or True?The Log Book and SOPThe DRSetting the CourseThe EP and LOPThe FixThe Running FixIndirect CoursesReview QuizChapter 12: Special Piloting TechniquesPosition Finding with One Aid: Distance-OffDanger Bearings and CirclesPiloting with SoundingsTide and CurrentGuidelines for Safe PilotingIntroduction to Celestial NavigationReview QuizChapter 13: Electronic Navigation and RadiotelephonesRadio Direction Finder (RDF)Loran-CGlobal Positioning System (GPS)RadarRadiotelephonesChapter 14: AnchoringGround TackleHow to AnchorKedging-OffWeighing AnchorChapter 15: Sailing in Heavy WeatherCrew PreparationShortening SailBoat HandlingSquallsGalesChapter 16: EmergenciesPreparationRunning AgroundTowingSteering FailureDismastingCapsizeLife RaftsLeaks and SinkingFireDistress SignalingEvacuationChapter 17: Equipment and MaintenanceRunning RiggingStays and Their EquipmentGoing AloftThe Hull and InteriorThe EngineWinterizingTools, Tape, and LubricantsChapter 18: Traditions and CourtesiesUnder WayFlag EtiquetteClothingYachting HistorySailing TodayAppendix I: Required EquipmentAppendix II: The Coast Guard and Other Boating OrganizationsAppendix III: Cruising and RacingAppendix IV: Children and SailingGlossary of Sailing TermsA Sailor's LibraryIndexReview Quiz AnswersAcknowledgments and Credits