1 What's in a boat -Boarding -The hull -The mast -The engine -The galley -Steering systems 2 Moving the boat -Theory -Dealing with shore lines -Leaving the berth -Practical boat handling -Returning to the berth 3 First ventures -Reading the chart -Aids to navigation -Venturing out of harbour -The wide blue yonder 4 Beginning to sail as a skipper -Theory of sail -First steps under sail -Sails and winches -Basic sailing -Exercises 5 Seamanship -Preparation for sea -Deck safety -Mechanics of stowing headsails -Light winds and shortening sail -Engine troubleshooting 6 Essential navigation theory -Position and distance -Direction -Tides -The electronic chart plotter - a caveat 7 Practical navigation -Knowing where you are -Onward navigation 8 Arriving in port -Pilotage -Choosing a berth 9 Etiquette -Flag etiquette -Rafting up 10 Weather -The Beaufort wind scale -Visibility -Weather systems -Sources of weather forecasts 11 Making the passage -Preparation -Conducting the yacht on passage -Living aboard on passage -Evaluating 12 Advanced navigation -Further tidal height theory -Intermediate tidal heights -Cross-tide navigation -Compass deviation -Electronic chart plotters -Correcting charts 13 Navigating with an electronic chart plotter -Types of electronic navigation chart -Features of chart plotters 14 Fog -Safety in fog -Fog tactics -Navigation in fog 15 Anchoring, mooring and boat handling -Manoeuvres under power -Manoeuvres under sail -Further skills 16 Emergencies and how to prevent them -Keeping out of trouble -Man overboard -General distress, and search and rescue assistance.