Sailing: A Woman's Guide

by Doris Colgate

Overview

"Doris Colgate knows what women want. Well-known as a sailing role model and a confident yet gentle teacher, she writes with clarity on even the most complex sailing concepts, as well as answering often-asked questions on the safety, comfort, and social sides of sailing. Sailing: A Woman's Guide pulls it all together for the beginning sailor. Finally, an excellent book for women that both teaches and motivates. Bravo, Doris. You've opened up the sport."--Bernadette Peters, editorial director, Cruising World

"It took a person with her fingers on the pulse of women aspiring to sail to write this book, and that person is clearly Doris Colgate. Sailing: A Woman's Guide is as much a source book as empowerment to women the world over desiring to become sailors."--Micca Leffingwell Hutchins, editor of SailNet

"An excellent introduction to the sport of sailing. It will undoubtedly encourage many women to try this challenging, noncontact activity while enjoying the great outdoors."--Betsy Alison, Four-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year

"This new series is designed to teach outdoor skills to women in the way they learn. . . . Women of all ages describe how they overcame obstacles, what they enjoyed most, or just how they felt about undertaking a new activity . . . extremely well done and appealing."--Library Journal (starred review)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780070067202
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	01/01/1999
Series:	Ragged Mountain Press Woman's Guide Series
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.41(d)

About the Author

Doris Colgage has been a sailor for over 30 years. She is president of Offshore Sailing School and of the National Women's Sailing Association. Besides thousands of miles of worldwide bluewater cruising experience, she has sailed in many international races, including the Bermuda Race, Antigua Race Weeks, Cowes Weeks, and the Fastnet Race. She also produced the video Take the Helm: Women and the Sailing Lifestyle.

Table of Contents

AcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Women and SailingA great fit for womenWhy are women drawn to sailing?Women who sailChapter 2: How to Get StartedChoose a sailing schoolWhat to expect on your first dayNormal apprehensionStep aboardHow does it feel?Chapter 3: Getting Comfortable with SailingSailor talkHow a sailboat is measuredWhat makes a sailboat stable?How sails are held up and controlledHow to talk about sailsBasic sailboat movesTaking a sailboat through its pacesChapter 4: How to Sail Away and Return with EaseRig and hoist the sailsGetting underwaySailing at lastHomeward boundChapter 5: Using the WindIdentifying wind directionSetting your sails upwind and downwindMaking the boat react to youPowering down for comfort and controlWhen you go agroundCrew-overboard recoveryChapter 6: Preparing Yourself and the BoatClothing for comfortable sailingDiet and sailingLifesaving equipmentCommunication with other boats and with shoreElectrical hazardsWhen a shroud or stay breaksKnots and line handlingChapter 7: Smart SailingWhy sail shape is importantThe shape of speedWeather and windWind shifts and how to use themUse of crew weight and placementChapter 8: Navigation Rules and TechniquesKnow the rulesThe basic steps of navigationTides and currentsChapter 9: Tips for Sailing with EasePractice, practice, practiceExercises for sailingPersonal mattersKeep on sailingChapter 10: ResourcesIndex