Plain Sailing

Product Description

Learning to See Like a Sailor

Dallas Murphy

“Murphy steers aspiring sailors though the maze of jargon and effortlessly explains basic sailing concepts. He is that rare combination, a professional writer who thinks like a sailor, or as he puts it, ‘someone who sees the wind.’ Anyone who has been intimidated or frustrated trying to learn to sail must read Plain Sailing. It will be a revelation.”
–John Kretschmer, Contributing Editor, Sailing Magazine

“I heartily recommend Plain Sailing to any beginner or novice, and also to old salts needing a refresher course.” — John Rousemaniere, author of The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

Plain Sailing will help the new sailor understand the principles and practice of sail trim—the adjustment of sails such that they interact most efficiently with the wind. There is a direct relationship between sailing efficiency and sailing fun. Knowing when, how, and why to trim your sails is the essence of sailing. If you understand trim, you understand sailing.

Plain Sailing also covers how to look at sails, how to distinguish good trim from bad, how to diagnose a blown-out sail, and much more.

Dallas Murphy is the author of Rounding the Horn and other books.