How We Learned to Sail

Nine Parts · Forty-five chapters

How We Learned to Sail

A causal journey through the problems sailors faced, the solutions they found and the forces that still shape modern yachts.

Understand how we got here. Learn to follow the conversation and recognise the boat.

Begin with Chapter 1 Explore the contents

The idea

A yacht, reconstructed.

Begin with a hull that floats, then connect propulsion, steering, sails and their supports. Each new arrangement builds on the forces and mechanisms already in view.

Technical development connects the lessons across time. Wind, water, structure and human effort explain why designs changed and why different answers remain useful.

The complete Work

Forty-five chapters, nine movements.

Read in sequence for the causal journey. Each Part can also be opened here when you want to revisit an idea.

  1. Part IA hull before a sail3 chapters

    Begin with a floating hull, then give it movement, steering and a useful shape.

    1. A Boat Before Sail
    2. Why a Hull Floats
    3. Give the Hull a Shape
  2. Part IIMake one sailing boat work4 chapters

    Connect a sail to wind, water forces, stability and steering so one elementary boat can sail.

    1. One Mast, One Sail
    2. The Wind the Sail Actually Meets
    3. Give the Water Something to Push Against
    4. Why the Boat Leans and Wants to Turn
  3. Part IIIGive the crew control7 chapters

    Follow the ropes, attachments, purchases, mast and sail construction that put loads within the crew's control.

    1. What a Rope Is Made to Do
    2. Join Ropes and Make Attachments
    3. Hold the Load, Keep Control
    4. Trade Force for Distance
    5. Hold Up the Mast
    6. Give the Sail Its Shape
    7. Attach and Support the Sail
  4. Part IVChange the shape of one sail5 chapters

    Compare the supports and controls of square, sloping, gaff, triangular and battened sails.

    1. A Sail on a Yard
    2. Sloping Yards and Diagonal Spars
    3. What the Gaff Adds
    4. The Tall Triangle
    5. A Sail Divided by Battens
  5. Part VDivide and rearrange the rig8 chapters

    Divide sail area and distribute its supports across different mast and sail arrangements.

    1. Use the Space Ahead of the Mast
    2. Move the Sail Beyond the Bow
    3. One Mast, Several Sail Plans
    4. Put a Smaller Sail Aft
    5. Spread the Work Across a Schooner
    6. Build Height, Divide Sail
    7. Read the Whole Square or Mixed Rig
    8. Rearrange the Whole Rig
  6. Part VIUse the rig in changing conditions4 chapters

    Control sail shape, change course and reduce or replace sail as conditions change.

    1. Shape Is a Control
    2. When the Wind Moves Aft
    3. Reduce, Gather or Replace the Sail
    4. Turn, Stop and Rebalance
  7. Part VIIBuild and refine the platform8 chapters

    Connect hull construction and materials with shape, ballast, stability, steering, multiple hulls and foils.

    1. Build a Hull from Joined Pieces
    2. Change the Material, Keep the Jobs
    3. Why Hull Shapes Behave Differently
    4. Keels, Ballast and Adjustable Draught
    5. Stability Has a Range
    6. From the Hand to the Rudder
    7. Separate the Hulls
    8. Move Mass, Add Foils
  8. Part VIIIMeet the shore and keep the water out3 chapters

    Keep water outside and hold the boat securely to the seabed or alongside.

    1. A Deck with Openings
    2. Hold the Boat to the Seabed
    3. Hold the Boat Alongside
  9. Part IXThe Yacht as a Whole3 chapters

    Compare complete designs, follow added energy and machinery, and apply the connected explanation to a yacht.

    1. Draw It, Measure It, Compare It
    2. When Muscle Is Not Enough
    3. Putting It All Together

Start at the beginning

First, keep the water outside.

Chapter 1 separates flotation, propulsion and steering before moving air is allowed anywhere near the boat.

Read A Boat Before Sail