To properly enjoy the sea, and to do so safely, you must have the skills, knowledge and confidence to plan thoroughly and stay one step ahead of the game.
This book is thoughtfully written to help yachtsmen do just that. It’s not another RYA Course Handbook; it’s written by a mariner for other mariners. It’s well-informed, easy to read and honest about the author’s triumphs and disasters over a lifetime’s navigating.
He has a unique perspective having navigated in many parts of the world from high up on the bridge of a warship, close to the water in a cruising yacht and at depth in a submarine. After his navy career he was Chief Executive of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), often dealing with the consequences of poor navigation.
The author brings the subject to life in a book that is designed to help yachtsmen refresh their knowledge of, and their enthusiasm for, the timeless skills of navigation.
It is packed with hundreds of illustrations – colour photographs, charts, diagrams and tables – making the text easy to understand. The book is part of Fernhurst Books’ Skipper’s Library series of practical books for the cruising sailor.
“Navigation techniques are brought to life with practical experience and insightful commentary in his honest account of the highs and lows across a lifetime of navigating… a useful guide for the fresh-faced amateur as well as the experienced sailor.” RNLI Lifeboat
“It’s beautifully laid out, very clear and easy to understand, and very knowledgeable.” Weems & Plath
“Boissier’s latest book is superbly illustrated, informative – and offers prime snippets of the author’s triumphs and disasters over a lifetime’s navigating… A writer who shares rather than dictates a lesson. Highly recommended.” Julian Stockwin
“The chapters on pilotage and blind navigation are the best I have read, as are the chapters on tidal heights and streams, which contain useful rules of thumb, various tricks of the trade and other tips follow in subsequent chapters… Most people will probably learn something from this book. It is very well written and the explanations are clear, as are the diagrams and well-chosen illustrations.” Royal Cruising Club