Maine Harbors

REVIEWS

BookReviews
2012-
2009-2011
2006-2008
2003-2005
2000-2002
1997-1999

Alphabetically
by Title

MARINER'S
WEATHER


Maine

New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Marine
Forecasts


Buoys

Sea Temp

Conditions

Satellite/Radar

Web Cams

NAUTICAL LINKS

Maine

New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Maine Harbors

May 2006
BOOK REVIEW
- by Carol Standish

Book Cover Getting Started in Sailboat Racing
Adam Cort and Richard Stearns
International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 144pp, $14.95

The tag line on the jacket reads "everything you need to know to work your way up through the fleet." According to novice racer, Jack Somers, that's just what Getting Started in Sailboat Racing delivers. "It's not like reading a rule book. Not a lot of facts and figures. There's a lot of humor and common sense." says Jack. "not to mention, great diagrams, photos and a quiz to review each new bit of information by example."

In twelve focused chapters the authors guide you through a hypothetical race discussing in sequence, the race course, start strategies, windward leg and windward mark rounding, downward leg and leeward mark roundings, basic tactics and tips, weather. The last three chapters discuss boat speed methods and concepts including sail control, sailing on and off the wind, how a sail works and how to make it work harder, light and heavy air and a basic boat diagram identifying each moving part and how to use it. The last chapter discusses the advantages and disadvantages of joining a yacht club. The authors weigh in on the positive and also suggest joining U. S. Sailing. There is also a glossary. Jack's favorite entry is "crash tack - a sudden, unplanned, inefficient tack, often done to avoid a crash."

Getting Started in Sailboat Racing

"The book gives you confidence to go on out there and mix it up," says Jack. It covers everything unless you're going into the Olympics or America's Cup league." Somers has been on the water since he was a kid recreationally but also as a professional fisherman and party boat owner. He was in his 50s when he finally saw the light and bought a Cal 22 (Summer School) and began to learn to sail. This up coming season will be his second in Blu, a 41 year old Graves Constellation. He's only raced her once so he is the target reader for the authors, professional sailors Cort and Stearns. "I'll be taking the book with me on the boat this summer to reread," he says.

More Book Reviews
www.maineharbors.com