Shows how to build a model sailboat and sail it like a pro. Teaches sailboat selection, construction, radio control installation. and sailing techniques. Discusses tools and equipment, hull and sail construction, and competing in races. By Thomas J. Houle. 8 1/4 x 11 1/4; 64 pgs.; 70 b&w photos; 35+ diagrams; softcover.

Tell someone you like to race radio-controlled model sailboats, and you might get a raised eyebrow or the usual question, is it propelled with a motor? But those folks have no clue what fun they are missing: This underappreciated sport can be enjoyed by the young and the old, the day sailor or the racer, the experienced sailor or the beginner. Donald W. Hain, who has skippered various types of sailboats, has been participating in the sport for years, and while this book focuses primarily on racing, it also contains useful information for the day sailor as well. Model sailing includes many subcategories of hobbies, so individuals can enjoy the parts of the sport that interest them the most. Whether you like building models at a workbench or kitchen table, designing sails, or the thrill of the actual race, the sport can be tremendously satisfying. This book guides you through every aspect of starting and excelling in radio-controlled sailboat racing, and whether you're a beginner or an experienced racer, you'll gain practical knowledge to boost your enjoyment of the sport.

Explains how to build a radio-controlled yacht from start to maiden voyage from the set of plans that are included with the book. This work is presented in full colour throughout, using step-by-step photography and 3-dimensional drawings. It addresses the requirements and taste of modelmakers.

"The deadliest storm in the history of modern sailing"--Cover.

Interested in learning to sail but feel like you’re navigating in murky waters? Sailing for Dummies, Second Edition introduces the basics of sailing, looks at the different types of sailboats and their basic parts, and teaches you everything you need to know before you leave the dock. In Sailing for Dummies, Second Edition, two U.S. sailing champions show you how to: Find and choose a sailing school Use life jackets correctly Tie ten nautical knots Handle sailing emergencies (such as capsizing and rescuing a man overboard) Launch your boat from a trailer, ramp, or beach Get your boat from point A to point B (and back again) Predict and respond to water and wind conditions Read charts, plot your course, use a compass, and find your position at sea Sailing for Dummies shows you that getting out on the water is easier than you think. The authors keep the sailor-speak to a minimum where possible, but give you a grasp of the terminology you need to safely and effectively communicate with your crew. A textbook, user’s manual, and reference all in one, this book takes the intimidation out of sailing and gives you the skills and confidence you need to get your feet wet and become the sailing pro you’ve always wanted to be. Anchors away!

Think Fast, Sail Faster started out as a series of articles published in the U.S.-based Sailing World magazine called "Conversations with the Doc." This book expands those original ideas into a comprehensive rethink about how we understand sailboat racing, and how the way we think affects racing performance. The book represents a fundamental reconstruction of many of the core concepts of sailboat racing. Here are some of the innovations: "Feel" is a central theme. "Feel" often receives relatively little attention in sailing texts, but is one of the most important factors in sailing performance. How we think about sailing conditions has been re-designed. The new classifications of wind conditions (fragile, powering up, depowering, too-much) require the sailor to focus on the boat itself rather than focusing outside the boat and trying to guess whether the conditions might be "light," "medium" or "strong."Wind strategy has been substantially overhauled. The usual classification system for wind shift patterns has been extended into four new groupings. These ideas, combined with explanations of "wind sense," enable sailors to make direct connections between what they see and the best strategies for winning races.Other novel topics include: three-phase oscillating breezes; the "no-brainer" race; the eight standard port/starboard crossing strategies; how to not use a compass; explanation of offshore breeze patterns; the complexities and misinformation about sailing in current; a complete sail racing performance model; psychological performance issues; how risk management and wind strategy combine; and how to build your own wind forecasting system.Finally, these ideas are presented as conversations between the Doc and his fictional friends, rather than as lists of instructions. Throughout the text there are margin notes, and at the end of each chapter there is a simple summary of the main ideas.