Table of Contents

Introduction. 1 Preparing for sea. 2 Safety equipment & procedures. 3 Navigation & pilotage. 4 Collision regulations. 5 Meteorology. 6 Flags. 7 Seamanship. 8 Maintenance & troubleshooting. 9 Skippering. Index.

About the Author

Basil Mosenthal has sailed extensively in all the oceans of the world. After serving in the Royal Navy, where he was able to race offshore extensively, Basil became a partner in one of the first yacht delivery firms in the USA, and after many thousands of miles sailing, he became a consultant in the management of large yachts. He has written many books about sailing, including Fernhurst Books’ best-selling Cockpit Companion and popular New Crew’s Companion. Sara Hopkinson is an experienced sailor, and a Yachtmaster Instructor and Examiner. She runs an RYA Training Centre in Suffolk which specialises in navigation, radio, radar and first aid courses. She has also been a Coastguard Rescue Officer for many years and is now the Deputy Station Officer of HM Coastguard, Holbrook. Sara has written books for the RYA and Fernhurst Books’ Navigation: A Newcomer’s Guide, VHF Afloat and VHF Companion.

Reviews

“A handy reference guide, a fantastic aide-memoire.” (Sailing)
“Whether you’re putting to sea in your own boat for the first time or have years of experience, this is a handy reference guide to ship in your pocket or keep on board.” (Sailing Today)
“This lighter volume can save time. It has checklists, troubleshooting guides and useful illustrated aide-memoires.” (Practical Boat Owner)
“The Skipper’s Pocketbook shoehorns generous coverage of many topics into a small volume… all in an easy to understand, concise fashion, and the use of many full colour diagrams help the reader quickly absorb the points.” (Yachting Life)
“It contains all of the useful lights, sounds and shapes, as well as instructions to work out tidal heights, position fixing, course to steer, etc. There is also some really useful general information on meteorology, seamanship, knots and basic maintenance. In short… the next best thing to having an instructor onboard. Even if you are not undertaking a course, The Skipper’s Pocketbook, even in this digital age, is a must for anyone new to boating or looking to refresh their theoretical skills.” (Motorboat Owner)