TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Best Book Recommendations for New Sailors?

My teenage sons are interested in developing their knowledge of sailing. They have sailed a number of times in past, but now are showing interest in really learning to sail.
Looking for recommendations for "learn to sail" for young teenagers, both beginner and intermediate. (for next few years, will be primarily cats)

Thanks

For a well written, basic, learn to sail book my favorite is Colgate's Basic Sailing Theory by Steve Colgate. Nothing fancy but some of the best, clear explanations I have seen.

The best, have given many to newbies...

http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Sail-Primer-...ords=jan+adkins

A Sail of Two Idiots, especially if you are thinking of purchasing, loved it. Every chapter ends with "what broke"

Agree w Colgates book.

Colgates seems good idea but does it go into cruising skills (picking up moorings/ docking Cat/ anchoring)?
When I was learning, Chapmans was big.

Since you are looking for materials for teenagers (who likely prefer the an online experience), you might consider a learning forum such as NauticEd. http://www.nauticed.org
NauticEd offers a variety of learning skills--from beginner to experienced--in a wide array of sailing subjects; a look at their site gives a glimpse of their online courses. These courses are easy to understand and provide an excellent opportunity for teenagers, or adults, to learn about/how to sail at their own pace.
While online education is a good start, nothing beats hands-on experience to hone skills.

Sailing for Dummies is clear and easy to read. It has a surprising amount for good information. but my favorite was to make sure I brought it to the chart briefing with my credit card taped to it. Always good for a laugh

I gave their navigation rules module a try. It works reasonably well. Its a decent demonstration of concept and worth the effort.

Cheers, RickG

Nauticed, online low cost sailing and interactive sailing courses (books,pdf's) you down load all the material. Great informative reading and learning, if you or they want to get serious. They get to log all there experience as well.
http://www.nauticed.org

As a Member of Lagoon Owner's Club, you will receive some free online courses via NauticEd. I would also recommend enrolling them in an ASA (American Sailing Asc.) course at a local marina for some hands on in water training and classroom training. Their textbooks are good too. You might consider complimenting this by hiring an instructor skipper for a day or two in BVI.

My instructor skipper a few years ago was Julian Putley, of the Drinking Man's Guide to the BVI fame. He was very good and very interesting. I would ask for him.

Cheers,

Tony

Some of it can be a little overwhelming due to the laws of physics that author Scott Welty puts into it, but the Why Book of Sailing is a pretty neat read. A lot of " wow I never new that moments". I found it at the local library. Enjoy

In addition to all of the above great advice, I would try to get them out sailing in dinghies and smaller boats. I think the effects of sail trim and adjustments are more apparent and much easier to see in a small boat where you get immediate physical feedback from the boat compared to a bigger cat or mono. And they are a lot of fun too.

As far as books, I was pretty impressed with Nauticed when I used it last year for an online chart briefing. I also find myself referring to my old ASA material whenever I need a quick refresher for myself or have newer sailors on board. However, nothing can replace a series of hands on lessons with a certified instructor when it comes to learning how to sail and be safe.

Mardi Gras,
Looking forward to The Nauticed. I have done one module myself. I do think ASA will be good as well. I am looking forward to having a instructional skipper join us for a couple of days to teach them (And I will learn as well). I agree with other threads that teaching spouse is bad idea... Will get the admiral a lesson or two as well (cheaper than divorce)..

Lots of great advice!

A sort of bible - The Annapolis Book of of Seamanship

A well written primer - Learning to Sail: The Annapolis Sailing School Guide