Reviews (5)

Disappointing
If you want a book to help you help you understand how to sail a laser, this isn't it!

As well as being very dated (it seems all the photos were taken in the 70's) subjects as vital as tacking is explained in four bullet points, with no photos.

Wonderful Book
I am new into Laser sailing but not sailing in general. This book is great! It skips all the begginer stuff and dives right into the good stuff. This book explains it all. This book even has a large section of interviews with top laser sailers. They talk about the in's and out's of high performance laser sailing. This book is a must buy if you want to sail fast and have more fun with your laser!

Helpful to beginner, even better for improving sailor
After sailing other dinghies for a couple of years, I started sailing Lasers this summer, and picked this book to improve my technique. The book's guidance definitely improved my abilities and helped me to tame this fantastic boat, which I sail almost exclusively now. While acknowledging the benefits of the book, the authors should address the uneven quality of the diagrams and their relation to the text. In fact, after four editions it is high time for a redesign of the graphics.

For example, a basic skill for tacking and jibing is a "behind-the-back" maneuver that would best be explained with a series of pictures. There are several examples of this throughout the book, and when there is a relevant diagram or picture, the quality varies.

Reviews (2)

A Zealous Champion
This short albeit complete book explains many of the basic sailing techniques and tactics that Glenn Bourke used while winning his three world championships. Some of the techniques differ from those suggested by other books (Tillman), but it is difficult to argue with his undeniable success.

A basic knowledge of sailing is assumed, and terms are rarely defined. Some of the tactics employed seem a little unsportsman-like but none really violate the letter of the law. The author's approach to winning can be summed up in his own words, "when you're out there to win you have to be totally selfish and look after number one." Although I and many other sailors wouldn't agree with his philosophy, we do understand his competitiveness and zeal to win. Employing some of his questionable tactics are thus up to the individual. Even if you wouldn't use his suggestions, you should at the very least read up on them so that you can guard against them while you race.

Aside from the questionable tactics, this book does provide you with an excellent basis on how to sail well in a laser. If you follow the many techniques he mentions you will drastically improve your sailing skills. Furthermore you get a glimpse into the life of a fairly interesting character and his take on world championship racing.

Reviews (3)

For serious students
Used the original when coaching collegiate team in late '60's. Haven't found anything better in newer books. Buying it now to start the next generation.

Classic Book on Sailboat Racing
While there are many books on sailboat racing, this one is a real classic. My father had it on his bookshelf when he was competing in the Mallory finals back in the 1960s and it is just as relevant today. I found it a very readable book. Dr. Walker covers the basics in enough depth that those who work at appling his lessons can expect to be at the top of the fleet in most club regattas. He gives many verbal illustrations of his points using his own experience in one design and Olympic competition.

Reviews (3)

More stuff to help you go fast.
This book is a fast read, so it's easy to recognize (and reinforce) what you already know, while picking out the new stuff you didn't know that will help you race faster.

As an example, here are three things that I benefited from immediately. After you read the book, you'll have your own list.

1. The mental aspect of boat preparation. You have to do whatever it takes to KNOW that your boat is fast and ready to win. Otherwise, when you're going slow you'll be making excuses instead of finding what's wrong and fixing it.

2. A killer diagram showing spinnaker pole positioning for reaching. This diagram makes it completely obvious what to do, but it's TOTALLY contrary to the "prevailing wisdom" among most of the folks I sail with. But the first time I used Buddy's position, boy did we point with that chute!

3. A great description of "feathering" the boat upwind on the beat.

As always, the winning combination is read, then sail, read some more, sail some more, then repeat. If you don't go on the water to practice, no book can help you.

The downside is that the book was written before the new racing rules came into effect, so be sure you're fully familiar with the rules before taking Buddy's advice on tactics that rely specifically on rules for their validity. (For example, in one circumstance the advice to a leeward boat is to luff up quickly, and "tap" a windward boat, fouling them out of the race. You'll be on thin ice if you try this in the new rules, with their clear emphasis on the importance of avoiding collisions.)

Sailing Lessons from Buddy
Many books cover the fundamentals of sailboat racing, but few do it with the charm of Buddy Melges, the Olympic medalist and America's Cup defender from rural Wisconsin. The lessons on tactics and boathandling are all here, interspersed with tales of races won and lost (mostly won) by the author. The book is well organized and clearly written. A short story from Melges' early career touches on the importance of sportsmanship without being preachy. Over the years I have read this book again and again as much for enjoyment as for instruction.

Reviews (3)

NECESSARY!
Contrary to another review, this book DOES tell a kid how to rig the boats, gives important information about doing so, as well as good guidelines for seamanship and racing tactics. An altogether readable, understandable guide for both kids and parents. If your kid is starting to sail, get them off on the right tack by giving them this book, and you as a parent should also read it. It's a sensible, easily-understood book, written with humor and plenty of information.

very informative
I am an Optimist sailor. If you want to know how to sail or race competitvely read this book. It combines good racing techniques with Optimist basics. This THE book to get if you want to figure out what's what on any type of optimist. New or old. It has great illustrations and that depict how to sail well and get riggedthe right way. This book helped me get sixth place in the Junior Olympics in Island Hieghts, NJ. If you want to sail an opti Read this book!

A disappointment
A book for Opti (ie, beginning) sailors shd have 3 sections: How to rig the boat, How to sail, and Racing techniques. Since there are a lot of good books covering the 2nd and 3rd topics, an Opti-specific book shd focus on rigging.

Jobson and Kehoe do a very poor job of describing how to get your Opti rigged and ready to go. The topic is broken up into 3 non-contiguous sections, with minimal illustrations. Some of the photos have wrong captions. And there is no discussion or even acknowledgment of the IOD 95 standard.

For example, at one point the authors stress the importance of the boom preventer -- but there is no drawing of this device, and no clear description of how a "twist" (or a "turn", in another place in the book) is to be managed.

There is no index and only a partial glossary of terms.

Of course, the sections on racing are very detailed. But I wish the authors had organized the material with beginning sailors in mind. What's missing is some kind of hierarchical ranking of what's important to winning. Kids need the important points emphasised. But this book makes no distinction between, say, starting on the favored end of the line versus keeping your air clear. And I don't think covering your opponent is mentioned at all.

Isbn: 0906754771
Sales Rank: 539712
Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Sports / Recreation / Outdoors    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports   

Reviews (2)

The rules according to living legend.
This concise book is divided into two parts: 1) a copy of the published ISAF rules--a must for all would-be racers 2) interpretations of said rules by Elvstrom himself.

If you don't already know it, Elvstrom is a legendary sailor (winner of four Olympic gold medals and numerous other sailing prizes). His expertise shines through as he explains the rules of racing. There aren't any long drawn out stories in this book. No anecdotes of any kind; just simple explanations of situations that you encounter on the race course. He clearly points out who is right and who is wrong in each situation and thus you gain an understanding of what is and isn't proper while racing.This is an excellent book for the beginning racer who wants to gain a firm understanding of the rules in a short period of time. If you are looking for something more extensive and lively I recommend the Dave Perry's explanation of the rules!

Editorial Review

Reviews (4)

LOTS OF REALLY GOOD STUFF IN HERE!
.

I think my review title says it all. I tried to come up with a way of summarizing the material in this 350 page book, and couldn't. There was too much!

Jobson and Whidden, two world class sailors, packed each chapter full of information--well may not the first chapter--that was short. But the rest of them were long, detailed and packed to the gills with important information.

If you race and don't read this book, you will probably not do as well as someone who has read the book. It is that simple.

This book is for aspiring racers who want to improve their standings in the fabulous sport of sailboat racing. Are you ready to race and win? Are you ready to learn?

What I liked best about the book was its organization. Look at the index below and you will get a hint of what I mean. But you will have to buy the book or thumb through it to really understand what I mean.

I liked the emphasis on teamwork, communication, and leadership, which I find under-emphasized in other books I've read.

Great information is provided on the winds in different parts of the country. Read the section on your sailing area and any place you race.

This is not a one night read of a book. Plan on spending lots of time with this book reading it, and re-reading, and applying it to improve your on the race course performance.

Index:

1.What is a Tactician

2.Creating a Game Plan

3.Starting

4.Upwind Tactics

5.Downwind Tactics

6.Faster Finishes

7. Steering

8.Tactical Instruments

9.Putting it All Together

---------------------------------

Smooth Sailing,

Bart Senior

Loory Wins Again!
Not since Loory's now, sadly, out of print book, "Block Island Days-Bohemian Nights" has an author captured the feel of sailing tactics in such a poetic, yet professional way.

Mr. Loory structures his work as a tournament of ideas pitting "Boat Speed" against "Right is Might". The beauty of this methodology is that it soon becomes apparent that the combination of both "Speed" and Tactics will enable the Club sailor to take home trophy's and have bragging rights at the

Yacht Club Bar.

Asin: B00002N5WB
Sales Rank: 109515

Editorial Review