Dag Pike – författare

How a sextant works and how to get the most out of it.The sextant is the treasured navigational device of generations of seamen and airmen. It enables position to be determined with good accuracy for ocean navigation, and it was the combination of sextant and chronometer that allowed safe navigation of the oceans for generations of seafarers.Despite the accuracy and ease of use of electronic navigation systems, every navigator should be able to use a sextant. It could even save your life in the event of electronics failure.This book describes how a sextant works, provides practical tips and advice on using it, explains how to read as well as take sights, how to make adjustments and correct errors, and finally advises on how to handle and care for the instrument.Originally written by the late Captain O M Watts, this new edition has been entirely rewritten by Dag Pike, a seaman and navigator of great experience. He is perhaps best known as the navigator of Virgin Atlantic Challenger on its successful record attempt.'An enormously useful guide' - Fishing Boat World

A curated collection of the most beautiful and remote spots in bays, rivers and harbours around the UK and Ireland.The UK and the Irish coastlines boast some of the most stunning and varied places in the world for dropping anchor. But it's not always easy to find anchorages that are sheltered and secure with beautiful scenery. Authored by a panel of highly experienced cruisers, this guide offers detailed knowledge of every part of the coast of the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Their recommendations can be trusted to take sailors away from the crowds to some of the very best anchorages these islands have to offer, from peaceful Babbacombe Bay in Devon with stunning views to Toberdenny in Ireland, an unspoiled natural harbour that's achingly beautiful at sunset. Each anchorage is accompanied with a chart, brilliant photography and a description of the place, covering why you should go, any hazards to look out for, and information on your approach, navigation, shelter, facilities available and wildlife to spot.Anchorages of the British Isles is the perfect planning guide for day trips, weekend getaways or summer breaks to explore cherry-picked, lesser-known locations and make the most of the beautiful coastline. Get ready to discover the finest spots to drop anchor along the coasts of the British Isles.

A curated collection of the most beautiful and remote spots in bays, rivers and harbours around the UK and Ireland.The UK and the Irish coastlines boast some of the most stunning and varied places in the world for dropping anchor. But it's not always easy to find anchorages that are sheltered and secure with beautiful scenery. Authored by a panel of highly experienced cruisers, this guide offers detailed knowledge of every part of the coast of the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Their recommendations can be trusted to take sailors away from the crowds to some of the very best anchorages these islands have to offer, from peaceful Babbacombe Bay in Devon with stunning views to Toberdenny in Ireland, an unspoiled natural harbour that's achingly beautiful at sunset. Each anchorage is accompanied with a chart, brilliant photography and a description of the place, covering why you should go, any hazards to look out for, and information on your approach, navigation, shelter, facilities available and wildlife to spot.Anchorages of the British Isles is the perfect planning guide for day trips, weekend getaways or summer breaks to explore cherry-picked, lesser-known locations and make the most of the beautiful coastline. Get ready to discover the finest spots to drop anchor along the coasts of the British Isles.

A curated collection of the most beautiful and remote spots in bays, rivers and harbours around the UK and Ireland.The UK and the Irish coastlines boast some of the most stunning and varied places in the world for dropping anchor. But it’s not always easy to find anchorages that are sheltered and secure with beautiful scenery. Authored by a panel of highly experienced cruisers, this guide offers detailed knowledge of every part of the coast of the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Their recommendations can be trusted to take sailors away from the crowds to some of the very best anchorages these islands have to offer, from peaceful Babbacombe Bay in Devon with stunning views to Toberdenny in Ireland, an unspoiled natural harbour that's achingly beautiful at sunset. Each anchorage is accompanied with a chart, brilliant photography and a description of the place, covering why you should go, any hazards to look out for, and information on your approach, navigation, shelter, facilities available and wildlife to spot.Anchorages of the British Isles is the perfect planning guide for day trips, weekend getaways or summer breaks to explore cherry-picked, lesser-known locations and make the most of the beautiful coastline. Get ready to discover the finest spots to drop anchor along the coasts of the British Isles.

Dag Pike draws on his experience as merchant navy captain, fast boatnavigator and boat safety tester for RNLI lifeboats to focus on a widerange of disasters at sea. He compiles a wide range of accounts ofyachts, motorboats and commercial vessels running into difficulty as aresult of poor navigation, fog, miscalculation, human error, weatherconditions etc and analyses in a readable and entertaining fashion whatcaused the disaster, what went wrong, how it was dealt with and thelessons learned from it. Examplesrange from the Fastnet disaster, powerboat races, boats run down in theChannel, to trawlers pulled under by submarines, ferry accidents andtanker and cargo ship disasters. The incidents include grounding,collision, fire, sinking, ice and storms, and each chapter has anexample from the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau who monitorincidents at sea. This book is a fascinating read for all who go afloat either forbusiness or pleasure, and for anyone interested in just why disastershappen at sea.

This is a book about practical weather forecasting, and it starts where most other books finish. Weather forecasts give you a lot of information about the weather to come but they often leave out a lot of the detail, and the timing of changes can also be vague. In this book, Dag Pike shows how to translate the basics into practical weather forecasts so that you can work out what it will be like in your area and along your proposed route. Sailors will be able to make better use of the available wind and avoid difficult areas, whilst powerboat drivers more interested in the sea conditions will be able to find the smoothest waters for a better ride. With the help of this book, readers will pick up expert tips such asPredicting the weather at sea from scanty weather forecasts Knowing what conditions to expect when near cliffs, river estuaries and valleys Understanding how the wind affects tides50 Ways to Improve Your Weather Forecasting distils Dag Pike''s experience gained from over 50 years of driving a whole range of craft from high-speed powerboats and lifeboats to ships and sailing boats. Written by one of the most experienced seamen in the world, it is your passport to practical weather forecasting techniques that will get you safely to your destination whether in fine weather or foul.

This is a book about practical powerboat driving in boats large and small, operating at speeds between 20 and 100 knots. It is about techniques that can only be picked up from experience - practical ways to make your driving safer, easier and better, whatever the conditions. This book starts where most other books finish. You may have learnt the important basics of powerboat driving, but now it''s time to see how to translate these basics into practical handling techniques that you can use to give a better ride and have a smoother passage. With the help of this book, readers will pick up expert tips such asHandling a fast boat in waves and head seas Matching response times to sea conditions Using the throttle to affect trim50 Ways to Improve Your Powerboat Driving distils Dag Pike''s experience gained from over 50 years of driving a whole range of craft from high-speed powerboats and lifeboats to ships. Written by one of the most experienced powerboat drivers in the world, it is your passport to practical handling techniques that will get you safely to your destination whether in fine weather or foul.

This is a book about practical navigation - packed with practical ways to make navigation safer, easier and better. It is a book for anyone - whether driving a power boat or sailing a yacht. And the techniques cover both electronic as well as visual navigation.This book starts where others finish. Once you have the important basics of navigation, you''ll want to see how to translate these into practical navigation techniques to use when planning before going to sea and once you''re out there.50 Ways to Improve Your Navigation distils Dag Pike''s experience gained from over 50 years of navigating a whole range of craft from high speed power boats and lifeboats to ships and sailing boats. Written by one of the most experienced navigators in the world, it is your passport to practical navigation techniques that will get you safely to your destination whether in fine weather or foul.

The aim of this book is to enable novices tocruise safely and enjoyably. It will cover the preparations needed beforeundertaking a cruise, operating the boat under different and sometimeschallenging conditions, how to cope when things go wrong, how to conform to therules and regulations, and how to navigate. It conveys the advice andinformation just as the cruiser will encounter it on passage - from setting offto arriving at their destination (rather than compartmentalised intonavigation/weather/engine etc).Topics include: Preparing to cruise (weather forecasts, route planning, checklists); Leaving harbour (harbour entrances, radio contact, setting courses and speeds, crew briefing, food and drink); Assessing weather and sea conditions (fine tuning plans); Watch keeping under way (visual and electronic navigation, coping with alarms); Entering harbour (planning ahead, radio channels, finding an anchorage, speeds); Cruising at night and in fog (lights, radar, shipping lanes, stopping distance); Adventurous cruising (navigating inshore, beach landing, hidden dangers); Fuel management and economy (economical speeds, boat trim, reserves); Comfort on board (cooking and sleeping at sea, security); When things go wrong (potential problems, safety equipment, coping with fire, leaks, grounding, engine problems, calling for help); Rules and regulations (collision regulations, traffic lanes, going foreign, qualifications).Aimed at owners of powerboats and motor cruisers between 25and 65ft, the book will be entirely practical, with checklists, sidebars andbox-outs and many diagrams and photos.

The aim of this book is to enable novices tocruise safely and enjoyably. It will cover the preparations needed beforeundertaking a cruise, operating the boat under different and sometimeschallenging conditions, how to cope when things go wrong, how to conform to therules and regulations, and how to navigate. It conveys the advice andinformation just as the cruiser will encounter it on passage - from setting offto arriving at their destination (rather than compartmentalised intonavigation/weather/engine etc).Topics include: Preparing to cruise (weather forecasts, route planning, checklists); Leaving harbour (harbour entrances, radio contact, setting courses and speeds, crew briefing, food and drink); Assessing weather and sea conditions (fine tuning plans); Watch keeping under way (visual and electronic navigation, coping with alarms); Entering harbour (planning ahead, radio channels, finding an anchorage, speeds); Cruising at night and in fog (lights, radar, shipping lanes, stopping distance); Adventurous cruising (navigating inshore, beach landing, hidden dangers); Fuel management and economy (economical speeds, boat trim, reserves); Comfort on board (cooking and sleeping at sea, security); When things go wrong (potential problems, safety equipment, coping with fire, leaks, grounding, engine problems, calling for help); Rules and regulations (collision regulations, traffic lanes, going foreign, qualifications).Aimed at owners of powerboats and motor cruisers between 25and 65ft, the book will be entirely practical, with checklists, sidebars andbox-outs and many diagrams and photos.

First built in the 1960s for rescue work, the Rigid Inflatable Boat has revolutionised the marine market. The Complete RIB Manual, published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first RIB, is the ultimate reference catering all aspects of a RIB''s design, handling and maintenance, aimed at all owners and users, both commercial and leisure. The emphasis of the book is entirely practical, and covers:1. A History of the RIB• Early development• Modern design: leisure, commercial and military2. RIB Handling• Impact of hull design, tube types, internal layout and engines• Driving techniques: throttle control and driving position• Advanced techniques for economy, sport and rough seas• Cruising: planning, weather, anchoring and communications• RIBs as tenders - stowing and towing• Launching and transportation• Safety and survival3. Maintenance• Outboards, diesels, water jets, stern drives, fuel tanks and electrics• Tube care: cleaning, repair, replacement• Hull maintenance• Winter storage, checking for leaks, servicingThe Complete RIB Manual is a comprehensive worldwide reference for all RIB owners and users, covering all the information necessary to handle and maintain a RIB of any size.

First built in the 1960s for rescue work, the Rigid Inflatable Boat has revolutionised the marine market. The Complete RIB Manual, published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first RIB, is the ultimate reference catering all aspects of a RIB''s design, handling and maintenance, aimed at all owners and users, both commercial and leisure. The emphasis of the book is entirely practical, and covers:1. A History of the RIB• Early development• Modern design: leisure, commercial and military2. RIB Handling• Impact of hull design, tube types, internal layout and engines• Driving techniques: throttle control and driving position• Advanced techniques for economy, sport and rough seas• Cruising: planning, weather, anchoring and communications• RIBs as tenders - stowing and towing• Launching and transportation• Safety and survival3. Maintenance• Outboards, diesels, water jets, stern drives, fuel tanks and electrics• Tube care: cleaning, repair, replacement• Hull maintenance• Winter storage, checking for leaks, servicingThe Complete RIB Manual is a comprehensive worldwide reference for all RIB owners and users, covering all the information necessary to handle and maintain a RIB of any size.

Many sailboat owners undertake cruises in their boats, travelling from one port to another, sometimes on a day trip and sometimes for a week or two. The aim of this book is to give novices the information to cruise safely and enjoyably, covering:- the preparations before setting off- conforming with rules and regulations- navigating- coping when things go wrong - operating the boat under different and sometimes challenging conditionsWith advice, hints, tips and anecdotes, this is a very practical book - rather than being compartmentalized into sections on weather/navigation etc, it accompanies the cruiser from departure to their safe arrival at their destination, drawing out the practical lessons from the theory found in text books. The superb photography illustrates the text and will inspire sailors of all levels.

Many sailboat owners undertake cruises in their boats, travelling from one port to another, sometimes on a day trip and sometimes for a week or two. The aim of this book is to give novices the information to cruise safely and enjoyably, covering: - the preparations before setting off - conforming with rules and regulations - navigating - coping when things go wrong - operating the boat under different and sometimes challenging conditions With advice, hints, tips and anecdotes, this is a very practical book - rather than being compartmentalized into sections on weather/navigation etc, it accompanies the cruiser from departure to their safe arrival at their destination, drawing out the practical lessons from the theory found in text books. The superb photography illustrates the text and will inspire sailors of all levels.

This is a book about practical navigation - packed with practical ways to make navigation safer, easier and better. It is a book for anyone - whether driving a power boat or sailing a yacht. And the techniques cover both electronic as well as visual navigation.This book starts where others finish. Once you have the important basics of navigation, you''ll want to see how to translate these into practical navigation techniques to use when planning before going to sea and once you''re out there.50 Ways to Improve Your Navigation distils Dag Pike''s experience gained from over 50 years of navigating a whole range of craft from high speed power boats and lifeboats to ships and sailing boats. Written by one of the most experienced navigators in the world, it is your passport to practical navigation techniques that will get you safely to your destination whether in fine weather or foul.

This is a book about practical powerboat driving in boats large and small, operating at speeds between 20 and 100 knots. It is about techniques that can only be picked up from experience - practical ways to make your driving safer, easier and better, whatever the conditions. This book starts where most other books finish. You may have learnt the important basics of powerboat driving, but now it''s time to see how to translate these basics into practical handling techniques that you can use to give a better ride and have a smoother passage. With the help of this book, readers will pick up expert tips such asHandling a fast boat in waves and head seas Matching response times to sea conditions Using the throttle to affect trim50 Ways to Improve Your Powerboat Driving distils Dag Pike''s experience gained from over 50 years of driving a whole range of craft from high-speed powerboats and lifeboats to ships. Written by one of the most experienced powerboat drivers in the world, it is your passport to practical handling techniques that will get you safely to your destination whether in fine weather or foul.

This is a book about practical weather forecasting, and it starts where most other books finish. Weather forecasts give you a lot of information about the weather to come but they often leave out a lot of the detail, and the timing of changes can also be vague. In this book, Dag Pike shows how to translate the basics into practical weather forecasts so that you can work out what it will be like in your area and along your proposed route. Sailors will be able to make better use of the available wind and avoid difficult areas, whilst powerboat drivers more interested in the sea conditions will be able to find the smoothest waters for a better ride. With the help of this book, readers will pick up expert tips such asPredicting the weather at sea from scanty weather forecasts Knowing what conditions to expect when near cliffs, river estuaries and valleys Understanding how the wind affects tides50 Ways to Improve Your Weather Forecasting distils Dag Pike''s experience gained from over 50 years of driving a whole range of craft from high-speed powerboats and lifeboats to ships and sailing boats. Written by one of the most experienced seamen in the world, it is your passport to practical weather forecasting techniques that will get you safely to your destination whether in fine weather or foul.

Boats are expensive and they are complicated - unless you are going to pay a professional to carry out a survey (at yet more expense) it is invaluable to be able to:- quickly assess a potential purchase for signs of trouble without paying for lengthy reports- carry out a detailed check on your own boat the end of the season- identify problems and get them dealt with before they get serious- get to know your boat in a lot more detail, so if a problem develops at sea you will be more able to copeOrganised into chapters covering: Tools of the trade (basic tools, moisture meters, fingers and feel, smell, mirrors, sources of information); Checking the hull (including wood construction and rot, GRP laminates, osmosis, metal construction, keels, anodes); RIBs and inflatables; Engine and systems; Stern gear; Plumbing; Mast and rigging; Electrical systems; Interiors; Safety equipment. At the end of the book there's a handy guide to carrying out a five minute survey - invaluable when making a quick assessment of a potential purchase.Highly illustrated, with anecdotes and hands-on advice throughout, this practical book gives readers the tools to do much of the work on their own, and know when to call in the experts.

Boats are expensive and they are complicated - unless you are going to pay a professional to carry out a survey (at yet more expense) it is invaluable to be able to:- quickly assess a potential purchase for signs of trouble without paying for lengthy reports- carry out a detailed check on your own boat the end of the season- identify problems and get them dealt with before they get serious- get to know your boat in a lot more detail, so if a problem develops at sea you will be more able to copeOrganised into chapters covering: Tools of the trade (basic tools, moisture meters, fingers and feel, smell, mirrors, sources of information); Checking the hull (including wood construction and rot, GRP laminates, osmosis, metal construction, keels, anodes); RIBs and inflatables; Engine and systems; Stern gear; Plumbing; Mast and rigging; Electrical systems; Interiors; Safety equipment. At the end of the book there''s a handy guide to carrying out a five minute survey - invaluable when making a quick assessment of a potential purchase.Highly illustrated, with anecdotes and hands-on advice throughout, this practical book gives readers the tools to do much of the work on their own, and know when to call in the experts.

Boats are expensive and they are complicated - unless you are going to pay a professional to carry out a survey (at yet more expense) it is invaluable to be able to:- quickly assess a potential purchase for signs of trouble without paying for lengthy reports- carry out a detailed check on your own boat the end of the season- identify problems and get them dealt with before they get serious- get to know your boat in a lot more detail, so if a problem develops at sea you will be more able to copeOrganised into chapters covering: Tools of the trade (basic tools, moisture meters, fingers and feel, smell, mirrors, sources of information); Checking the hull (including wood construction and rot, GRP laminates, osmosis, metal construction, keels, anodes); RIBs and inflatables; Engine and systems; Stern gear; Plumbing; Mast and rigging; Electrical systems; Interiors; Safety equipment. At the end of the book there''s a handy guide to carrying out a five minute survey - invaluable when making a quick assessment of a potential purchase.Highly illustrated, with anecdotes and hands-on advice throughout, this practical book gives readers the tools to do much of the work on their own, and know when to call in the experts.

Dag Pike draws on his experience as merchant navy captain, fast boatnavigator and boat safety tester for RNLI lifeboats to focus on a widerange of disasters at sea. He compiles a wide range of accounts ofyachts, motorboats and commercial vessels running into difficulty as aresult of poor navigation, fog, miscalculation, human error, weatherconditions etc and analyses in a readable and entertaining fashion whatcaused the disaster, what went wrong, how it was dealt with and thelessons learned from it. Examplesrange from the Fastnet disaster, powerboat races, boats run down in theChannel, to trawlers pulled under by submarines, ferry accidents andtanker and cargo ship disasters. The incidents include grounding,collision, fire, sinking, ice and storms, and each chapter has anexample from the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau who monitorincidents at sea. This book is a fascinating read for all who go afloat either forbusiness or pleasure, and for anyone interested in just why disastershappen at sea.

Dag Pike draws on his experience as merchant navy captain, fast boatnavigator and boat safety tester for RNLI lifeboats to focus on a widerange of disasters at sea. He compiles a wide range of accounts ofyachts, motorboats and commercial vessels running into difficulty as aresult of poor navigation, fog, miscalculation, human error, weatherconditions etc and analyses in a readable and entertaining fashion whatcaused the disaster, what went wrong, how it was dealt with and thelessons learned from it. Examplesrange from the Fastnet disaster, powerboat races, boats run down in theChannel, to trawlers pulled under by submarines, ferry accidents andtanker and cargo ship disasters. The incidents include grounding,collision, fire, sinking, ice and storms, and each chapter has anexample from the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau who monitorincidents at sea. This book is a fascinating read for all who go afloat either forbusiness or pleasure, and for anyone interested in just why disastershappen at sea.

Set to become the bible for powerboat owners and operators for years to come, this long overdue analysis and review of modern powerboat design and operation explores how powerboats have developed, why, and how design impacts on control and performance.Every aspect of the powerboat''s design is considered individually and as part of the whole. Different hull designs, including multihull and foiling craft, are assessed for their benefits and drawbacks. Engine types (whether petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid) and their influence on performance are examined and the nature and impact of different propulsion systems and driving controls is also discussed.All factors that influence operation are featured, from how to optimise performance in varied sea conditions, matching speed to sea state, as well as tackling various common and uncommon scenarios (from driving into an inlet to coping with tidal races and harbour manoeuvring) as well as issues relating to crew safety.Dag Pike is the world-renowned guru on powerboats. For this book he has attracted contributions from many of the top international powerboat designers, providing a wealth of expert knowledge and specialist insights about modern powerboats.The sum of their knowhow makes this book a gem of acquired knowledge, and as such will be essential for all powerboat owners, operators and designers, whether in the leisure, commercial or military sector, and it will help ensure all prospective owners get the right boat for their requirements.

Set to become the bible for powerboat owners and operators for years to come, this long overdue analysis and review of modern powerboat design and operation explores how powerboats have developed, why, and how design impacts on control and performance.Every aspect of the powerboat''s design is considered individually and as part of the whole. Different hull designs, including multihull and foiling craft, are assessed for their benefits and drawbacks. Engine types (whether petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid) and their influence on performance are examined and the nature and impact of different propulsion systems and driving controls is also discussed.All factors that influence operation are featured, from how to optimise performance in varied sea conditions, matching speed to sea state, as well as tackling various common and uncommon scenarios (from driving into an inlet to coping with tidal races and harbour manoeuvring) as well as issues relating to crew safety.Dag Pike is the world-renowned guru on powerboats. For this book he has attracted contributions from many of the top international powerboat designers, providing a wealth of expert knowledge and specialist insights about modern powerboats.The sum of their knowhow makes this book a gem of acquired knowledge, and as such will be essential for all powerboat owners, operators and designers, whether in the leisure, commercial or military sector, and it will help ensure all prospective owners get the right boat for their requirements.

Today travellers by land, sea and air take accurate navigation for granted but it was not always thus.The author, a highly experienced sailor, sets out to record the development of navigational techniques from the earliest time, five millenniums ago. As explorers started to venture offshore into the unknown they had to rely on the sun and stars for direction. From this pioneers turned to mathematics, astrolobes, sextants and increasing accurate clocks to measure latitude and later longitude. More recently major breakthroughs with electronic navigation, GPS and other satellite systems have revolutionised travel.Focusing primarily but not exclusively on marine navigation, the author weaves a fascinating course through the successes and failures of mankind's quest to explore his world. The result is a thoroughly entertaining and informative work which has no rival.

A history of the development of navigation at sea throughout the ages, including the challenges faced and the advancements in technology."A concise overview of navigation at sea. Pike, a maritime writer with a lengthy maritime career, examines many aspects of ocean travel, including weather, oceanography, charting, routing, and buoyage, as well as various methods for marine navigation, such as celestial, electronic, terrestrial, and satellite. . . . Overall, this is a useful introductory volume for maritime studies and nautical science programs." —CHOICEToday travellers by land, sea and air take accurate navigation for granted but it was not always thus.The author, a highly experienced sailor, sets out to record the development of navigational techniques from the earliest time, five millenniums ago. As explorers started to venture offshore into the unknown they had to rely on the sun and stars for direction. From this, pioneers turned to mathematics, astrolabes, sextants and increasing accurate clocks to measure latitude and later longitude. More recently major breakthroughs with electronic navigation, GPS and other satellite systems have revolutionised travel.Focusing primarily but not exclusively on marine navigation, the author weaves a fascinating course through the successes and failures of mankind''s quest to explore his world. The result is a thoroughly entertaining and informative work which has no rival."Reads well, is concise, maintains the interest of the reader and includes just enough personal touch to "not" make you feel that it is an autobiography." —Naval Historical Foundation

Today travellers by land, sea and air take accurate navigation for granted but it was not always thus.The author, a highly experienced sailor, sets out to record the development of navigational techniques from the earliest time, five millenniums ago. As explorers started to venture offshore into the unknown they had to rely on the sun and stars for direction. From this pioneers turned to mathematics, astrolobes, sextants and increasing accurate clocks to measure latitude and later longitude. More recently major breakthroughs with electronic navigation, GPS and other satellite systems have revolutionised travel.Focusing primarily but not exclusively on marine navigation, the author weaves a fascinating course through the successes and failures of mankinds quest to explore his world. The result is a thoroughly entertaining and informative work which has no rival.