Yachting: Start to Finish is a complete reference for every level of sailor whether you are a beginner and need a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide or are taking your sailing to the next level and looking for the professional tips and tricks that will get you sailing faster, better, safer and having more fun. Packed with 150 illustrations and 150 photographs, this is the way to learn, develop and refresh your skills. With its handy size and rugged covers it is the ideal book to keep on board or in your kit bag.Packed with expert advice from the professionals at UKSA, the book covers: Basic Principles Parts of the boat - exploded illustrations of a keelboat and components How a boat sails - Sailing theory explained Points of sailing - Sailing a keelboat at different angles to the wind Choosing a keelboat - Types of boat and their suitability including catamarans Preparing to sail - Safety afloat, practical clothing, launching small keelboats, rigging Reefing and roller furling Knots and Ropes - Practical illustrations for basic knots and splices Transporting - Towing and launching, to crane-in and -out Sailing for the first time - Balance, sail trim, Mooring and anchoring Beaching Rules of the road Avoiding other boats Rights of way Basic racing rules. Weather forecasting Understanding tides and currents. How to spot telltale signs of change in wind and weather. Reading a weather map Types of cloud Sea breezes Beaufort scale Sourcing weather information on the web. Basic Techniques Tacking Gybing Beating to windward Reaching Running Spinnaker handling Setting out and returning to mooring or marina Folding and stowing sails Maintenance Rig Winches windlass Engine Shaft and propeller Drains and stopcocks Sailing Offshore Buoyage and lights Navigation - Charts and plotting, compass, tidal streams and leeway, passage making, estimating position, Course to steer, electronic navigation, passage planning and pilotage Radio Sailing at night and in restricted visibility Asymmetric spinnakers - Setting, handling and gybing Singlehanded sailing - keelboats and catamarans Towing Heavy weather sailing - keelboats and catamarans Safety at sea - Skipper's responsibilities, radar reflectors, lifelines, lifejackets, life rafts, Summoning assistance, life-saving signals. Man-overboard routines Collision regulations The Basics of Racing The start - Practical lessons and rules explained First leg tactics - Practical lessons and rules explained Reaching - Practical lessons and rules explained Running - Practical lessons and rules explained Glossary of Terms