Mirror Book

The Mirror dinghy was a significant factor in the boom of dinghy sailing in the 1960s, introducing thousands to the delights of sailing. While sailing has come a long way since then and there have been a lot of far more exotic craft launched, the Mirror remains a fantastic boat in which to learn to sail and to compete at the highest levels. With this second edition, The Mirror Book has been bought into the Start to Finish series format alongside such revered books as The Laser Book, The Topper Book, The Catamaran Book and The Foiling Dinghy Book.

Like these titles, this book tells you everything you need to know about sailing the boat (whether it be the original gaff-rigged boat or has the newer Bermuda rig). Written for those starting out through to those striving to win a championship, the book is packed with practical advice and illustrated with step-by-step photographs. It covers: setting up the Mirror and early sailing experiences; developing skills on all points of sailing and with the spinnaker; racing & masterclasses to become a championship winner.

Over 180 photographs show you exactly how it's done, and 72 diagrams illustrate key boat parts, the different points of sailing and complex on-the-water scenarios with clarity. It is written by Peter Aitken, formerly the UK National Mirror Coach, who has coached teams to win world championships in the Mirror, Cadet and 420 classes, and Tim Davison, a successful racer and author of countless books on sailing. The UK Mirror Class Association have contributed to this update and it is endorsed by Dave Wade, double Mirror National Champion, who says: "Armed with this book, your understanding of Mirror sailing techniques will grow, and your results will improve. I thoroughly recommend it."

Praise for Mirror Book

"This book tells you everything you need to know about sailing the boat."
— Yachts & Yachting

"Written for those starting out through to those striving to win a championship. Packed with practical advice and illustrated with step-by-step photographs."
— All At Sea

"My father wasn't a sailor, but he said to me, 'If you can sail a Mirror fast, you can make any boat sail fast.' And it's fair to say I think he was right, and it stood me in good stead. It teaches you team work, it teaches you spinnaker work, you have to learn about controlling the rig and, because it's not an easily-driven hull, you have to learn a lot of good technique as well. I love the Mirror, and I always will."
— Ian Walker, Volvo Ocean Race winning skipper, Double Olympic silver medallist

About the Authors

Peter Aitken was the UK National Mirror Coach and has seen plenty of his charges triumph on the world scene, winning gold medals at the Mirror World Championships. He has also coached sailors to win the Cadet and 420 World Championships and has worked with some of the best sailors in the world.

Tim Davison has owned 20 Lasers over 40 years and medalled at World and European championships. He has won the British Moth National Championships 5 times and cruised extensively from Sweden to Turkey and across the Atlantic. He is author of over 18 sailing books, with The Laser Book being his first and most successful, and the title that launched Fernhurst Books when first published in 1979.

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.