The Complete Yachtmaster 11th edition: Sailing, Seamanship and Navigation for the Modern Yacht Skipper

by Tom Cunliffe

Overview

A comprehensive hands-on manual that covers the Yachtmaster syllabus and brings together all the essentials of modern cruising in one volume.

A bestseller since its first publication, The Complete Yachtmaster has become the standard reference for Yachtmaster students as well as skippers of all levels of experience.

In this fully revised and up-to-date 11th edition, Tom Cunliffe presents an analysis of a good skipper, the theory and practice of sailing and sail trim, the art of seamanship, accurate navigation including chart plotters and PCs, understanding meteorology, heavy weather preparation, understanding yacht stability and coping with emergencies. The Complete Yachtmaster builds knowledge as it builds sailing confidence, guiding examination candidates as authoritatively and reassuringly through the RYA syllabus as a sea pilot bringing a ship safely to harbour.

Easy to read and down to earth, this new 11th edition has updated and expanded sections on boat handling, knots, paper and electronic charts, chart plotters, laser flares, universal VHF, mobile phones and important developments in electronic navigation.

Required reading for all skippers and budding skippers, both on board or in the classroom.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399422154
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	11/25/2025
Edition description:	11th ed.
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	7.75(w) x 9.95(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Tom Cunliffe has many years of experience cruising all round Europe and from the Caribbean to Russia and Brazil to the Arctic. He is an RYA Yachtmaster examiner and a training consultant for Sailing USA. He is a regular columnist for Sailing Today, Classic Boat, Yachting World and SAIL, and the author of many titles including The Complete Day Skipper and Bosun's Bag.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. The skipper
2. The theory of sailing
3. Efficient sailing
4. Basic seamanship under sail
5. Boat handling under sail
6. Boat handling under power
7. Ropes and ropework
8. Anchoring
9. Yacht engines
10. Sailing in heavy weather
11. Navigation – an introduction
12. Charts, publications and chart table tools
13. Aids to navigation
14. Tidal heights
15. Tidal streams
16. Traditional navigational inputs
17. The estimated position
18. Classical position fixing
19. Satellites and radar
20. Course shaping
21. Navigational strategy
22. Passage planning
23. Pilotage
24. Passage navigation
25. Domestics of a passage
26. Fog
27. Collision avoidance in poor visibility
28. Tactics and navigation in heavy weather
29. Damage control
30. Emergencies
31. Man overboard
32. Weather

Appendix: stability in sailing yachts
Index

Editorial Reviews

“Required reading for skippers whether on board or in the classroom.” —Yachting Life

“Brings together all the essentials of modern cruising in one volume, and ensures that this time-tested book will continue to be the foundation for navigators, skippers and anyone undertaking coastal and offshore passages.” —All at Sea

“The absolute bible for anyone intending to go to sea in boats.” —stainesnews.co.uk

“No other book explains every facet of sailing as comprehensively...any boat would be better equipped with this book aboard.” —Yachting Monthly

“Excellent, a must for the library and winter reading.” —Compass Magazine

“Contains everything you need to know about the theory and practice of sailing.” —Surrey Herald

“An ideal gift to give to the aspiring sailor to ensure the challenges ahead are properly understood.” —Nautical Magazine

“These are new editions of well-established books essentially addressing the RYA Yachtmaster offshore qualification. Both books are beautifully produced with excellent diagrams and illustrations in full colour and seem to me to cover the syllabus comprehensively and well.” —The Little Ship

“As in most Adlard Coles publications it also almost goes without saying that the presentation - text, graphics, pictures - is superb.” —Sailing For Southern Africa

“It guides examination candidates as authoritatively and reassuringly through the RYA syllabus as a sea pilot bringing a ship to harbour.” —Yachting Life

“the standard reference for for Yachtmaster students and skippers.” —Press Journal

“An essential read for anyone contemplating making a coastal or off-shore passage.” —WindCheck magazine

“This invaluable book teaches new skills and revises old ones, encouraging skippers to reflect on their own practice, priorities and sailing pleasure.” —Yachting Monthly

“Full of practical tips built on hard-earned experience… you could not have a better guide.” —Cruising Association

From the Publisher