Start to Finish – serie

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.

A well-rounded guide covering the techniques and skills needed to succeed in catamaran sailing, for those starting out through to those striving for championship wins. Whether you are a youngster choosing your first cat, a club sailor looking to improve your results, or a seasoned racer embarking on a higher performance model, expert advice from Tom & Brian Phipps will take your catamaran sailing to the next level. Beginning with key theory and seamanship skills, the Phipps take you through your early sailing experiences and caring for your catamaran. Developing your skills on all points of sailing, you will be introduced to trapezing, race tuning and racing itself. As your confidence grows you move onto advanced techniques and high performance catamarans. The final section gives you a glimpse of the cutting edge of catamaran sailing with foiling platforms and solid wings. 30 focussed chapters are packed with over 350 photographs showing you exactly how it’s done, with diagrams illustrating key boat parts, the various 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 catamaran sailing.

Asymmetric dinghies burst into the sailing scene in the 1990s and have transformed the sport. They led to the introduction of new types of courses and a new sailing style. While the basic principles may be the same as for conventional dinghies, the increased focus on apparent wind sailing and responding to changes in wind pressure and direction downwind are exciting new elements that asymmetric dinghies bring.This book allows you to learn the secrets of getting the most from your asymmetric dinghy – whether you sail an entry level dinghy or a high-performance skiff, single-handed or with a crew. Following its advice will enable you to enjoy being at one with your boat and the wind.It is written by asymmetric champion sailor and journalist Andy Rice who has also gleaned tips, advice and some great shortcuts from expert sailors in a wide range of classes. This will give you the inside knowledge to improve your techniques and get ahead of the fleet. There’s step-by-step guidance, accompanied by great photo sequences. Every stage of asymmetric sailing is covered, including rigging and tuning, hoists, gybes and drops, tactics, survival sailing and advanced skills for solo and crewed boats.