Wind Strategy / Edition 3

by David Houghton, Fiona Campbell

Overview

This book is gold dust for sailors.

Will there be a sea breeze today?

Will one side of the course have better wind?

Will the wind shift during the race?

For nearly 20 years Wind Strategy has given sailors the answer to these questions and many more. It gives a set of basic principles so that you can predict the wind's behaviour virtually anywhere in the world. It shows how the wind will shift and bend over the relatively small area of the racecourse, and how it is modified by:

• The sea breeze
• The land breeze
• Gusts
• Clouds
• Cliffs
• Other boats
• Islands
• The shore
• Currents
• Water temperature. 

The book also gives specific wind advice for over 20 popular venues, from the Solent to Sydney.

In short, Wind Strategy gives you the "local knowledge" you need to become a winner.

Recommended for all racing sailors.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781904475125
Publisher:	Fernhurst Books Limited
Publication date:	07/31/2006
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.77(w) x 9.53(h) x 0.29(d)

About the Author

David Houghton was a passionate meteorologist, spending over 30 years at the UK Met Office, and was responsible for introducing the marketing of weather services commercially. He was a member of the Royal Meteorological Society from 1949. In 2000 he was awarded the Society’s Michael Hunt Award for “excellence in increasing the understanding of meteorology or its applied disciplines among members of the general public, including particular groups (e.g. sailors)”. David worked as an advisor to Olympic, Admiral’s Cup, America’s Cup and Round the World sailing teams for over 30 years. He also wrote Weather at Sea for cruising sailors.

Fiona Campbell is a successful meteorologist with a passion for the environment and a love of sailing. Fiona took over from David Houghton the responsibility for advising the UK’s top sailing teams at Olympic, European and World regattas, as well as GBR and other America’s Cup challenges. She has also worked to help boat designers, competitors and race organisers, such as Cowes Week, to optimise their performance. Fiona worked alongside weather legend David Houghton for many years.

Table of Contents

1. The wind-wise sailor.

2. The sailor's wind.

3. Wind facts - coasts, islands and lakes.

4. Wind facts - wind bangs, water temperature and tide.

5. Wind facts - gusts and lulls.

6. Wind facts - Southern Hemisphere.

7. The sea breeze pure and simple.

8. Sea breeze with gradient wind.

9. Afternoon winds - gradient and onshore.

10. Lakes, mountains, valleys and peninsulas.

11. As the sun goes down.

12. Afternoon and evening winds - Southern Hemisphere.

13. Gravity waves, billows and surges.

14. The message of the clouds.

15. Light airs.

16. Obstacles in the wind.

17. Water currents.

18. Waves.

19. Dangerous waves.

20. Weather routeing.

21. Which sails?

22. At the regatta.

23. Popular racing venues analysed.

Summary sheets for waterproofing and taking afloat.

Editorial Reviews

"The go-to book for racing sailors seeking to improve their understanding of the vagaries of the wind."

Yachting Life

"A good read for sailors of all abilities with plenty of illustrations to guide the club sailor and regular racers."

Gybe Magazine

It covers everything a dinghy sailor could possibly need to know about how wind and weather can affect you on the race course, and the knowledge here can help put you one step ahead of the competition before the start gun has even fired.

The Final Beat

It's got a fairly simple rule of thumb which makes you look like you have a 4th sense for the weather.

Rooster Sailing Steve Cockerill