Tim Davison – författare

The Mirror dinghy was a significant factor in the boom of dinghy sailing in the 1960s, introducing thousands to the delights of sailing. While sailing has come a long way since then and there have been a lot of far more exotic craft launched, the Mirror remains a fantastic boat in which to learn to sail and to compete at the highest levels. With this second edition, The Mirror Book has been bought into the Start to Finish series format alongside such revered books as The Laser Book and The Topper Book, The Catamaran Book and The Foiling Dinghy Book. Like these titles, this book tells you everything you need to know about sailing the Mirror (whether it be the original gaff-rigged boat or has the newer Bermuda rig). Written for both those starting out through to those striving to win a championship, the book is packed with practical advice and illustrated with step-by-step photographs. It covers: setting up the Mirror and early sailing experiences; developing skills on all points of sailing and with the spinnaker; racing & masterclasses to become a championship winner. Over 180 photographs show you exactly how it's done, and 72 diagrams illustrate key boat parts, the different points of sailing and complex on-the-water scenarios with clarity. It is written by Peter Aitken, formerly the UK National Mirror Coach, who has coached teams to win world championships in the Mirror, Cadet and 420 classes, and Tim Davison, a successful racer and author of countless books on sailing. The UK Mirror Class Association have contributed to this update and it is endorsed by Dave Wade, double Mirror National Champion, who says: "Armed with this book, your understanding of Mirror sailing techniques will grow, and your results will improve. I thoroughly recommend it."

This beautiful full-colour book covers knots, splices and whippings. It begins with the ten knots everyone should know. The other knots are grouped by use so that if, for example, you want to make a loop you have eight knots to choose from. Each stage of each knot is illustrated and its uses, strong points and weak points are highlighted.

This beautifully illustrated and very popular book covers the commonly used knots & splices. In colour, it clearly illustrates how to tie each knot through the use of clear, sequential diagrams and a step by step approach. It covers the ten knots which everyone should know and many other useful knots, detailing the use and benefits of each. It tells you how to choose the right rope for the job and illustrates splices and whippings.

For most sailors, boat tuning may seem a mystery understood only by sailmakers and the like. In this book, sailor, chandler and championship winner, Ian Pinnell, unravels this daunting subject and will help improve your boatspeed as a result. Since most races are won or lost by a difference of less than 2% of racing time, you will soon be moving up the fleet. With hundreds of photos and diagrams to illustrate every point, the book clearly explains what each control does and how to set it up optimally for different conditions. Additional troubleshooting and skills sections take things even further, making this the bible of dinghy tuning.

The single manufacturer one-design (SMOD) Laser, launched just over 50 years ago, has now been renamed the ILCA and moved to multiple licensed builders. To reflect this change, the leading book on Laser sailing since 1979, The Laser Book, has now changed its name to The ILCA Book and moved from a single to multiple authors.In this latest edition, ILCA guru and multiple champion Jon Emmett has updated Tim Davison’s seminal text to make it completely relevant to today’s ILCA sailors. All the latest control lines, masts and sails are covered for all 3 rigs.Targeted at the club sailor, The ILCA Book covers the techniques and skills needed to succeed in ILCA sailing, for those starting out through to those striving to win a Club Championship. Whether you are a youngster moving into an ILCA 4 or 6, or a club sailor looking to improve your ILCA 7 results, the expert advice from the authors and contributions from Laser / ILCA gold medallists, world champions and their coaches, will take your ILCA / Laser sailing to the next level.Beginning with setting up the boat, the book takes you through your early sailing experiences and caring for your ILCA. Developing your skills on all points of sailing, you will then be introduced to race tuning and racing itself. Over 350 photographs show you exactly how it’s done, and 50 diagrams illustrate key boat parts, the different points of sailing and complex on-the-water scenarios with clarity.Whatever your background, your current level or the extent of your ambition, this book gives you all the tools you need to get out on the water and improve your ILCA sailing.

Sailing for Kids is aimed at children aged 8-15 who are taking their first steps into the fantastic world of sailing. Packed full of colour photographs and diagrams, this straightforward and easy-to-understand guide is the perfect introduction to the sport. It is based on the Optimist dinghy, which is the most popular children’s sailing dinghy worldwide, and endorsed by the UK Optimist Class Association. Topics covered include what to wear, setting up the boat, sailing and safety. For those who want to go further, there are also tips on sailing faster and preparing to race.

A handy, splash-proof, on-the-water summary of the key things you need to know about navigation at sea: the perfect quick reference guide to keep onboard. The book covers all the navigation essentials: charts, compass, tides, standard and secondary ports, dead reckoning, estimated position, course to steer, lights, GPS, waypoints and buoyage in a highly illustrated format making it easy to understand at a glance – ideal for those moments when you need an answer, and you need it fast! Spiral bound, this little companion stands up to frequent use and serves as a great aide-memoire.

Going aboard a sailing yacht for the first time is an exciting experience, but it can be a bit daunting. It introduces you to many unknowns: terra firma is left behind, the boat is propelled by something you can’t see (the wind), there are ropes everywhere and a whole new vocabulary opens up!Your skipper will brief you on the key things you need to know, but this book is a great opportunity to learn a bit beforehand which will give you the basic knowledge to work the boat, be safe, have fun… and be asked back for more!Written in a friendly and approachable way, it assumes no nautical knowledge and uses diagrams and photographs to demystify the art of sailing. Devised to be read by new crew before they arrive at the boat, it is also great to keep on board as a quick and easy reference guide. Ideal for skippers to give to anyone joining them on board for the first time. As soon as a person steps aboard they are crewing: drawn into casting off, hoisting sails, winching and even steering. It’s impossible to cover everything in your briefing, so any knowledge they can gain beforehand is a blessing and will make your yacht a happier, safer place for everyone.

For a modest man, Tim Davison has done quite well for himself in the sailing world. He has won National and European championships from the 1970s to 2020s, has skippered his yacht from the Baltic to the Mediterranean and has written over 20 books on sailing. Maintaining that sailing is too important to be taken seriously, he has used the bluffing skills described in this book to help propel his racing boats to the front of the fleet and his cruising boats to the warm waters of the Med – and back.In The Sailor’s Bluffing Bible, you will learn how to bluff with the best in the sailing club bar and manoeuvre yourself onto sleek yachts and fast dinghies. Once there, our tips on what to do, what to wear and what to say will come in very handy. You may even be asked back!Whether racing or cruising or on a sailing holiday you will be able to hold your own in conversation, staggering your audience with your sailing knowledge.A perfect book – or gift – for the sailor and would-be sailor, illustrated by nautical cartoonist John Quirk.

All you need to help you learn the important knots, and a perfect gift for the keen sailor or outdoor adventurer.The pack contains 3 one-metre lengths of coloured rope (the colours may vary) together with the beautifully illustrated 64-page Knots & Splices book. The book features the ten knots everyone should know, plus 16 other knots and 7 splices and whippings. It illustrates clearly how to tie each knot using sequential diagrams and a step-by-step approach. The use and benefits of each knot is described and the times when special care is needed highlighted.Combined with the practice ropes, this is an ideal way to learn how to tie knots which will serve a lifetime’s sailing or adventuring.