Essential Sailing is the ultimate beginner's guide to the wonderful sport of sailing. It includes all the fundamental information you'll need to get out on the water, such as the best equipment choices, the correct safety precautions, the proper nautical terminology, and up-to-date traffic laws. Noted marine author and sailboat designer Roger Marshall provides invaluable instruction on how to navigate, decipher charts and maps, and purchase your first boat; he also offers helpful guidance on other important elements of sailing, such as reading flags and buoys, assessing weather patterns, and coping with emergency situations. Whether you are interested in recreational sailing, competition, or extended openwater cruises, Essential Sailing offers a wealth of comprehensive, sound advice that will get you under sail with confidence. (6 X 9, 208 pages, b&w photos, maps, diagrams, charts).