Many sailors dread the day when they find themselves caught out at sea in a gale. But if you are well prepared and know what to do, there is no reason why heavy weather should be a nightmare.

I wrote this as a sort of ‘pocket book’ for practical cruising sailors. Much of the material considers the realities of bad weather on coastal passages in ordinary boats, but those looking to wider horizons will find plenty to help cope with breaking waves and high winds far out at sea where land is not an issue. The concise section on yacht stability demystifies the business of why yachts occasionally fall over, and might be considered required reading for all skippers.

Contents

• Making the boat seaworthy
• Yacht stability
• Avoiding the worst weather
• Handling the boat and looking after the crew
• How to deal with emergencies ranging from dismasting to man overboard
• How to collaborate with the Air and Sea Rescue Services
• How to survive in a liferaft

Full of graphics and photographs. The book has not been properly updated since first published in 1988, so I’m afraid it’s still black and white, but now that Wiley have taken over Fernhurst Books, I’m hoping to burst into full colour soon. 93 pages