This beautifully illustrated reference work for all boat lovers is an encyclopedic treasure trove of fascinating detail about every element of a yacht, from keel to binnacle, wheel and mast.

In this one-of-a-kind book, leading boat designer Roger Marshall walks you through the process of choosing the perfect boat for your sailing lifestyle. Along the way, you will acquire a deep understanding of the many factors that go into a boat's performance, comfort, and seaworthiness, and learn how to choose among them to meet your requirements and preferences. Best of all, you'll find Marshall's 12-page comparison table of production sailboats from all over the world, packed with information about 130 boats - length, beam, draft, displacement, ballast, sail area, fuel and water capacities, performance ratios, capaize and comfort ratios, and more, all tabulated for convenient and revealing comparisons.

How to Sail outlines basic sailing techniques for both the beginner and experienced sailor. Whatever your level of ability, this book is packed with useful hints and essential tips that will make sailing a safe, rewarding and enjoyable experience. Useful tip boxes and clear line illustrations help bring to life the techniques needed to handle a boat in every situation, from the importance of monitoring weather reports over the radio, to understanding how to use specialized equipment in an emergency. The book is divided into ten easy-to-use chapters, which cover every aspect of sailing: weather and current conditions, and how to handle them; the anatomy of your vessel and boating terminology; equipment; communicating with other vessels, shore facilities and the coast guard; ropes, knots and lines, and how to use them; mooring and anchoring; getting started; the mechanics of steering and sailing; basic navigation; and surviving in an emergency. The handbook also includes a useful glossary explaining sailing terms, an extensive list of recommended reading and a comprehensive index for easy reference. No serious sailing enthusiast should be without How to Sail.

This popular ship-design series is praised for its superb drawings and full descriptions of each ship's design, construction, operational history, and much more.