Multihull Seamanship: An A-Z of skills for catamarans & trimarans / cruising & racing

by Gavin Le Sueur, Nigel Allison (Illustrator)

Overview

This is an A-Z of seamanship skills for multihull sailors. There are many textbooks on the market which detail general seamanship principles. This is not one of them. Multihull Seamanship is about sea-going catamarans and trimarans and the skills needed to understand and enjoy them to their utmost. Both racing and cruising yachts are catered for, as are trailer-able multihulls. Seamanship is not a black and white skill. It is an evolution of knowledge; a building of information through experiment, thought and experience. There is no definitive word on an evolving skill. Multihull Seamanship started as Dr Gavin Le Sueur's personal index of ‘how-to’s. It has grown through experience and others sharing their knowledge. It should be on the book shelf of every catamaran and trimaran. This book is for people who are already multihull sailors, or for those who are contemplating multihull sailing. It has served this community for over 20 years and this second edition is fully updated. It is illustrated with delightful line drawings by Nigel Allison.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781912177080
Publisher:	Fernhurst Books
Publication date:	04/20/2018
Series:	Skipper's Library , #3
Edition description:	2
Pages:	148
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Gavin Le Sueur competed in the two-handed bicentennial Around Australia Yacht Race with his future wife. In one race they sailed through a cyclone and completed the race only to be struck by a whale when sailing home and forced to abandon ship. They were lent another catamaran for the around Australia race which they completed, getting engaged on the finish line. They have owned 5 different catamarans in which they have cruised and raced in Australia and explored the Pacific and south east Asia.

Nigel Allison is an illustrator, musician and artist who has maintained a lifelong passion for the ocean. A keen sailor, windsurfer, kitesurfer and sailor, Nigel’s background and enthusiastic approach to his art has given the world of multihulls a new dimension.

Table of Contents

Anchoring 8

Apparent Wind 13

Battens 16

Beaching 20

Bridles 24

Capsize Prevention 26

Capsize Preparation 32

Capsize Survival Tactics 36

Cargo 41

Centreboards 42

Children 44

Collision 46

Crew & Passengers 47

Cyclones 48

Dingy 52

Dismasting 54

Electricity 56

Fire & Gas 58

Flares & Torches 60

Foiling 61

Gusty Conditions 62

In Irons 63

Jetty Work 64

Liferafts 69

Lighting 70

Man Overboard 72

Masts 78

Motors 82

Racing Seamanship 85

Radar & Radar Reflectors 87

Rigging & Ropes 88

Righting 90

Roller Furling 96

Sails 97

Seaweed & Fish Nets 98

Self-Steering & Autopilots 99

Sheet Systems 100

Sinking 101

Slipping 102

Spinnakers 104

Steering & Rudders 106

Storm Sailing 108

Stress Measurement & Beam Failure 120

Tacking & Gybing 122

Targa Bar & Davits 123

Telltales 124

Towing 126

Trailering 128

Trampolines & Safety Nets 130

Transfers 131

Whales 136

Glossary Of Multihull Terms 138

Index 142

Notes & Ideas 146

Editorial Reviews

A ‘must read’ for anyone with multihull ambitions.” (Modern Boating)
“Could literally be life saving. Anyone preparing to build, buy or just sail a multihull would be advised to read this book.” (Multihull World)
“Le Sueur conveys eloquently why multihulls are special. His ‘Seamanship Rules’ should be learnt by heart.” (Yachting Monthly)
“When I had finished reading it, I started to understand how I should be thinking about handling my multihull, rather than just following general written advice. I started to think about the vessel and its interaction with the forces around it: how one action, say on sail trim, could change the dynamic on another, say dagger board loading. This led to a greater understanding of load dynamics in developing conditions, ensured a more comfortable ride on board and resulted in less wear and tear on gear. This new edition of Le Sueur’s book must be a recommended read for anyone on the multihull journey.” (Royal Cruising Club)

From the Publisher

A ‘must read’ for anyone with multihull ambitions.

Modern Boating

Could literally be life saving. Anyone preparing to build, buy or just sail a multihull would be advised to read this book.

Multihull World

Practical… valuable reading for novices as well as those who have been around the scene and want to improve their skills.

Cruising Helmsman