Overview
PROS
CONS
SPECS
Type
Size
Edition
Author
Pages
Our Top Choice
Beth Leonard's The Voyager's Handbook
Beth Leonard has sailed round the world twice and gathered experiences from these voyages that make her a wonderful sailor, great teacher, and astute writer.
Easy to use graphs and tables for quick reference. Helps you to know how to handle life at sea and make your boat a livable, safe and seaworthy home.
So thorough and detailed that some people just skip some parts of the book.
Hardcover
8.8 x 1.7 x 11.3 inches; 3.6 lbs
3rd edition; Dec 7, 2006
Beth .A. Leonard
592
Best Value
Peter & J. J. Isler’s Sailing For Dummies
Peter and J.J Isler are renowned as top contestants and teachers in the world of sailing. They have long years of experience and have taught many people about sailing.
Introduces the basics of sailing. Covers everything you need to know about communicating with your crew and having a successful sailing experience.
Uses many nautical terms before explaining them.
Paperback
7.4 x 1 x 9.2 inches; 1.4 lbs
2nd edition; June 6, 2006
J.J Isler, Peter Isler
432
John Rousmaniere's Book of Seamanship
John Rousmaniere has been a staunch sailor since his youth and has many sailing achievements to his name. He brings his wealth of experience to sailors of every kind in his books and lectures.
Emphasizes the skills and behaviors that make up seamanship core values. Covers all that's required for professional seamanship; boat maintenance and preservation of marine life.
Errors in writing suggest the proofreading was not thorough.
Hardcover
8.5 x1 x 10.9 inches; 3 lbs
4th edition; Jan 7, 2014
John Rousmaniere
416
DK's The Complete Sailing Manual
DK aims to inform, enhance knowledge and entertain readers, no matter how old they are and whatever it publishes, whether in print or digitally, follows this approach.
Revised and updated to include all the latest innovations in equipment and safety. Covers recent rules, regulations and best practices.
It’s a bit too basic for anyone with a little sailing experience.
Hardcover
8 x 1.2 x 9.6 inches; 3.2 lbs
3rd edition; Dec 19, 2011
Steve Sleight
448
Gary Jobson's Sailing Fundamentals
Gary Jobson is one of America’s leading voices of authority on sailing, with many achievements under his belt. He’s won many major sailing races and awards.
Recommended text for ASA certification. Comprehensive, clear coursework covering all aspects of sailing. Professional and neutral, not reflecting the prejudices and foibles of its author.
Too wordy and could use more pictures and illustrations.
Paperback
8.5 x 0.6 x 11 inches; 1.4 lbs
3rd edition; Aug 1, 2005
Gary Jobson
220