The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

John Rousmaniere, a devoted sailor since youth, has some 40,000 miles of blue water behind him, including ocean passages, nine Newport–Bermuda Races, and other major races in small and big boats. In 2013 the US Sailing Association honored Rousmaniere’s work in boating education, including The Annapolis Book of Seamanship, by presenting him with its Timothea Larr Award, which recognizes “a person whose vision and guidance have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of sailor education in the United States.” He has spoken at more than 100 safety seminars and clinics across North America and served on the Safety-at-Sea Committees of US Sailing and the Cruising Club of America, the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee, and review panels of boating accidents. He is a member of the Cruising Club of America, the New York Yacht Club, and US Sailing, and serves on the selection committees of the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the America’s Cup Hall of Fame. He coordinated the US Sailing Association’s Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal program, which recognizes mariners who make rescues. John’s videos include The Annapolis Book of Seamanship DVD Series. In 2014 Mystic Seaport presented him its W.P. Stephens Award for contributions to yachting history. Rousmaniere is a chronicler of the pastime he loves. He has written books about sailing history, yacht design, the America’s Cup, maritime photography, and storms. His book Fastnet, Force 10 was hailed as “A narrative worthy of the best sea literature.” Stuart Woods said about After the Storm, “No one writes about the violence of the sea better than John Rousmaniere.” Descended from a French soldier who fought in the American Revolution, Rousmaniere lives in New York City with his wife, Leah Ruth Robinson. He takes special pleasure racing in classic wooden boats, cruising across the Gulf Stream in more modern ones, and exploring marshes with his grandchildren in a small catboat.

Contents

Preface

New in This Edition

Seamanship and Romance

Chapter 1: The Boat

The Parts of a Boat

Bending on Sails

How Boats Work

Boat Dimensions

The Lines Plan

Boat Selection

Multihulls

Construction Materials

The Rig

Traditional Rigs

Sail Furling

Chapter 2: Getting Under Way

The Points of Sail

True Wind and Apparent Wind

Basic Sail Trimming

Changing Tacks

Stopping the Boat

Personal and Boat Preparations

Getting Going

Boat-Handling Drills

Rules of the Road

Coming Back In

Maneuvering Under Power

Tips for Better Boat Handling

Chapter 3: Sail Trim

Sail Controls

Sail Materials and Design

Sail Types

Sail Shape

Determining Wind Direction

Sail Trim in Light to Moderate Conditions

Depowering in Fresh and Strong Winds

How Boats Balance

Boat-Handling Drills

How to Measure Weather Helm

Upwind Sailing Techniques

Downwind Sailing Techniques

The Spinnaker

The Asymmetrical Spinnaker

Sail Care and Repair

Chapter 4: Weather

The Daily Weather Cycle

The Prevailing Southwest Wind

The Thermal Effect

Trade Winds

Highs and Lows

Fronts

Low-Pressure Systems

A Classic Storm

Squalls

Fog

Weather Forecasting

Weather Signs and Sayings

Waves and Tides

How Hard Is It Really Blowing?

Chapter 5: Sail-Handling Gear and Knots

Line and Rope

Line

Wire Rope

Line Maintenance

Knots

The Preventer, Vang, and Topping Lift

Cleats

Blocks, Tackles, and Shackles

Winches

Chapter 6: The Sailor's Health

Roles on Board

Clothing

Foul-Weather Gear

Medical Problems

First Aid

Chapter 7: Personal Safety

Life Jackets

Staying on Board

Safety Harnesses

Crew-Overboard Rescue

The Lifesling System

Chapter 8: Rules of the Road

The Rules in Summary

Navigation Lights

Maneuvering in Collision Situations

Chapter 9: Navigation Aids

Buoys

Lighthouses

Charts

Other Publications

Chapter 10: The Magnetic Compass

parMagnetic North and the First Compass

Magnetic North and True North

Variation

Parts of the Compass

Compass Types

Deviation

Correcting Compass Error

Chapter 11: Plotting and Position Finding

A Navigator's Tools

Magnetic or True?

The Log Book and SOP

The DR

Setting the Course

The EP and LOP

The Fix

The Running Fix

Indirect Courses

Review Quiz

Chapter 12: Special Piloting Techniques

Position Finding with One Aid: Distance-Off

Danger Bearings and Circles

Piloting with Soundings

Tide and Current

Guidelines for Safe Piloting

Introduction to Celestial Navigation

Review Quiz

Chapter 13: Electronic Navigation and Radiotelephones

Radio Direction Finder (RDF)

Loran-C

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Radar

Radiotelephones

Chapter 14: Anchoring

Ground Tackle

How to Anchor

Kedging-Off

Weighing Anchor

Chapter 15: Sailing in Heavy Weather

Crew Preparation

Shortening Sail

Boat Handling

Squalls

Gales

Chapter 16: Emergencies

Preparation

Running Aground

Towing

Steering Failure

Dismasting

Capsize

Life Rafts

Leaks and Sinking

Fire

Distress Signaling

Evacuation

Chapter 17: Equipment and Maintenance

Running Rigging

Stays and Their Equipment

Going Aloft

The Hull and Interior

The Engine

Winterizing

Tools, Tape, and Lubricants

Chapter 18: Traditions and Courtesies

Under Way

Flag Etiquette

Clothing

Yachting History

Sailing Today

Appendix I: Required Equipment

Appendix II: The Coast Guard and Other Boating Organizations

Appendix III: Cruising and Racing

Appendix IV: Children and Sailing

Glossary of Sailing Terms

A Sailor's Library

Index

Review Quiz Answers

Acknowledgments and Credits