Short-Handed Sailing

While relatively few cruise single-handed, many sail short-handed. It may be a couple sailing together or a skipper with a novice crew – he may have lots of people onboard but, in terms of the sailing, he is probably short-handed. They soon discover that there is so much more to short-handed sailing than a lack of crew. It demands a different approach, a new mindset. The skipper has a much greater workload but there are also fewer people, sometimes no-one at all, to consult during the decision-making process. Under these circumstances fatigue can be as dangerous as heavy weather: it creeps up on you, often unnoticed, destroying your morale and ability to make rational decisions. And when short-handed, the crew's limited physical resources must be watched over and zealously guarded.

In this heavily illustrated book Alastair Buchan passes on the lessons of his hard-won experience gained short- and single-handed sailing in coastal, offshore and ocean waters. It will show you everything you need to know about handling a boat alone or short-handed, from choosing a suitable craft to passage planning, manoeuvring, sleep management and watch keeping.

Praise for Short-Handed Sailing

"An articulate guide with plenty of tips gleaned from experience."
— Yachting Monthly

"A very practical introduction to short-handed cruising under sail, proving that there is much more to short-handed sailing than a lack of crew… provides well-tried practical advice… an excellent volume for the skipper and any of his potential short-handed crew."
— Afloat Magazine

"In this excellent book, Alastair Buchan passes on the lessons of his hard-won experience gained short- and single-handed sailing… Short-Handed Sailing is a well compiled and splendidly illustrated book that shows you everything you need to know about handling a boat alone or short-handed."
— Afloat

"A very informative and practical book… packed full of useful details. All topics are well presented and written in an easy-to-read style with lots of illustrations and photos. I recommend this book to all boat owners and skippers."
— Little Ship Club

"Buchan speaks with a good deal of authority… and covers both sailing single-handed and short-handed with a good deal of expertise. There are also handy diagrams throughout."
— Sailing Today

About the Author

Alastair Buchan began sailing on the Clyde in the 1950s. In a Hurley 20 (20ft!) he has sailed single-handed round Britain and crossed the Atlantic twice. In a Dockrell 27 (27ft) he made a single-handed Atlantic circuit, from Britain to the USA via Venezuela and Cuba – and back home.

About Fernhurst Books

Fernhurst Books was founded in 1979, initially publishing books related to dinghy sailing. 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.