The Skipper's Pocketbook

Skipper’s Pocketbook is a compact database containing everything a busy skipper or their crew needs to know but might find hard to remember.

It’s easy to forget just how much a skipper must keep in mind – from navigation and harbour pilotage to radio use, engine checks, weather monitoring, maintenance, and feeding the crew. This pocketbook serves as an aide-memoire, complete with checklists and concise explanations to make life simpler for skippers and crews alike. It is particularly valuable for those working towards RYA Yachtmaster and other RYA qualifications.

This long-trusted reference has been helping skippers for over 25 years and has been fully revised and updated by Yachtmaster Instructor and Examiner, Sara Hopkinson. (RYA and Yachtmaster are registered trademarks of the Royal Yachting Association.)

Praise for Skipper’s Pocketbook

“Whether you’re putting to sea in your own boat for the first time or have years of experience, this is a handy reference guide to ship in your pocket or keep on board.” – Sailing Today

“The Skipper’s Pocketbook shoehorns generous coverage of many topics into a small volume… all in an easy-to-understand, concise fashion, and the use of many full colour diagrams help the reader quickly absorb the points.” – Yachting Life

“It contains all of the useful lights, sounds and shapes, as well as instructions to work out tidal heights, position fixing, course to steer, etc. There is also some really useful general information on meteorology, seamanship, knots and basic maintenance. In short… the next best thing to having an instructor onboard. Even if you are not undertaking a course, The Skipper’s Pocketbook, even in this digital age, is a must for anyone new to boating or looking to refresh their theoretical skills.” – Motorboat Owner

About the Authors

Sara Hopkinson is an experienced sailor and Yachtmaster Instructor and Examiner. She runs an RYA Training Centre at Pin Mill in Suffolk, specialising in navigation, radio, radar, and first aid courses. A former Coastguard Rescue Officer and Station Officer at HM Coastguard Holbrook, she has also written Navigation: A Newcomer’s Guide, VHF Afloat, and VHF Companion for Fernhurst Books.

Basil Mosenthal has sailed extensively across the world’s oceans. After serving in the Royal Navy, he became a partner in one of the first yacht delivery firms in the USA and later a consultant in the management of large yachts. He is the author of many respected sailing books, including Fernhurst’s best-selling Cockpit Companion and New Crew’s Companion.