The Elements of Seamanship

"The Elements of Seamanship," by Roger Tayor, is a nice brief review of sailing technique. The book itself is only 99 pages, followed by a few appendices and an index. In the 99 pages of text, Taylor says nothing revolutionary. If you have read many other books on sailing, you may be slightly disappointed to not find much new. The strength of the book, though, is the organization. Taylor divides the book into 5 chapters: - keeping the water out - keeping from hitting anything - keeping her going - keeping her where you want her - keeping your reputation By using these divisions, Taylor provides a good summary of the basics of sailing and does a good job at helping the reader focus on what really is important. This would be a great read for a sailor who wants to round out their sailing knowledge. I much enjoyed the somewhat casual style of writing and the grandfatherly advice. For an absolute beginner, though, there are definitely more complete and more updated sailing books available.

The principles of seamanship are illuminated here in spare prose that will instruct beginning and experienced sailors alike. The language is deceptively simple and entertaining, deceptive because it distills such a wealth of advice. Other good books inclduing the other titles in the Seamanship Series, instruct in the details of piloting anchoring boat handling inhard weather and a sailor's other challenges. When you read The Elements of Seamanship, pause to visualize each situatino described, for that is the way the book is written. Do this and you will understand the thought processes of a good small-boat skipper, sail orpower. By all means avail yourself of books covering diesel engines, rigging, navigation and collision avoidance, but when the facts overwhelm their context, pull The Elements of Seamanship off the shelf and reread a few paragraphs. You'll learn a basic truth each time.