Foiling Dinghy Book

Since the development of the International Moth into a fully foiling dinghy there has been an explosion in the popularity of the class with some of the world's top sailors competing in it and many others enjoying the exhilaration of 'flying'. However there is no doubt that it is a challenge to learn to fly a Moth and other designs are being introduced which are easier to sail and provide foiling opportunities for less dedicated, larger and less agile sailors. This book, the first to be published on dinghy foiling, explains how foils work and how to foil in the International Moth, Waszp and F101. Anyone who can sail a fast planing dinghy like the Laser should be able to foil and this book takes you through the skills and techniques required. Starting with the theory, the book goes through rigging and launching, then low-ride sailing, tacking and gybing before moving onto flying and, of course, the foiling gybe and tack. All illustrated by hundreds of colour photographs and many diagrams.

Alan Hillman has taught hundreds of sailors to foil, including some of the top names. Through this book his expertise is available to everyone and there is no excuse not to get up on the foils and fly!

Praise for Foiling Dinghy Book

"A very professionally produced 'how to', with clear and pleasing graphics and colour photographs… The author describes the intricacies of a foiling dinghy and how to sail it very clearly, step by step… a 'must read' for anyone seriously tempted or even just curious."
— Watercraft Magazine

"If you had thought foiling was beyond you, have a read to Fernhurst's great how-to-guide and think again."
— Yachts & Yachting

"... While his descriptions are particularly aimed at Moths, Waszps and F101s, readers will be able to absorb and apply the lessons to whatever other types of foiler are invented in the future. Foiling is so different to mainstream dinghy sailing, and you can't expect just to jump on board a foiler and go. Read and absorb this book, and you will be well on your way to confident foiling before you've even put your boat in the water!"
— Yachting Life

About the Author

Alan Hillman has been involved in sailing and teaching for all of his life. He has run junior sailing programmes in the US, was the first RYA Windsurf Manager, set up Team Unlimited (a high performance sailing and windsurfing centre), was Race Director for the Extreme 40s and the Barcelona World Race and established Pro-Vela (offering personalised foiling coaching).

He learned to foil the hard way – by teaching himself, involving many hours on, in and under the water. He has distilled this experience into the programme offered by Pro-Vela and detailed in his book, The Foiling Dinghy Book.

About Fernhurst Books

Fernhurst Books was founded in 1979, initially publishing books related to dinghy racing. The list soon expanded to include cruising and other watersports. In 2006 the business was sold to John Wiley, but in 2013 a group of sailing enthusiasts (including the original founder) bought the list and name back, once again creating an independent nautical publisher owned and run by sailors. Fernhurst continues to publish books that instruct, inform and inspire those with a passion on, in or under the water. Their 140+ titles range from how-to guides to narrative to coffee-table books, covering sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, swimming, diving and fishing.