Sailing: A Woman's Guide, 1st Edition

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1: Women and Sailing

A great fit for women

Why are women drawn to sailing?

Women who sail

Chapter 2: How to Get Started

Choose a sailing school

What to expect on your first day

Normal apprehension

Step aboard

How does it feel?

Chapter 3: Getting Comfortable with Sailing

Sailor talk

How a sailboat is measured

What makes a sailboat stable?

How sails are held up and controlled

How to talk about sails

Basic sailboat moves

Taking a sailboat through its paces

Chapter 4: How to Sail Away and Return with Ease

Rig and hoist the sails

Getting underway

Sailing at last

Homeward bound

Chapter 5: Using the Wind

Identifying wind direction

Setting your sails upwind and downwind

Making the boat react to you

Powering down for comfort and control

When you go aground

Crew-overboard recovery

Chapter 6: Preparing Yourself and the Boat

Clothing for comfortable sailing

Diet and sailing

Lifesaving equipment

Communication with other boats and with shore

Electrical hazards

When a shroud or stay breaks

Knots and line handling

Chapter 7: Smart Sailing

Why sail shape is important

The shape of speed

Weather and wind

Wind shifts and how to use them

Use of crew weight and placement

Chapter 8: Navigation Rules and Techniques

Know the rules

The basic steps of navigation

Tides and currents

Chapter 9: Tips for Sailing with Ease

Practice, practice, practice

Exercises for sailing

Personal matters

Keep on sailing

Chapter 10: Resources

Index