Product Description

The classic guide to catamarans, updated to bring readers the latest for everyman's sailboat. Fast, inexpensive, versatile, and exciting, catamarans are one of America's most popular pleasure crafts. Here is a complete course in catamaran sailing for the beginner and the semi-experienced sailor who wants to become more skilled in the arts of tuning, handling, and racing cats. Included are sections on buying a cat, learning the basics, heavy weather sailing, racing tactics, surfing, and more. Includes a new chapter on how to use high-performance sails.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #220098 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 219 pages

About the Author
Phil Berman has been sailing and racing catamarans since 1969. A past winner of the Hobie 14 World Championships and second-place finisher in the Hobie 18 Worlds, he has also written Catamaran Racing: From Start to Finish.

Customer Reviews

Excellent and deep... could use better pictures and minor updates
I'm a relatively inexperienced sailer and just getting into catamarans, and have read several other sailing books (and many web sites) but still learned a ton from this one. This one really does focus in closely on things that are unique to cats rather than monohulls. Berman covers almost all the questions I had, and then some, and with clear, concise language and occasional very detailed lists of stuff you need or steps to take, which were extremely helpful. Minor complaints: 1) the pictures are low quality and often shot from too far a distance or in lighting (or print quality?) that makes it tough to see what you care most about or what the caption is talking about; 2) Last revision was 1999 so it doesn't say much about what's different about the newer Hobie rotomolded hull boats I'm looking at (Getaway and Wave), or some of the more modern accessories I see in sailing catalogs. But overall, unless you're a veteran cat sailer, I'd bet you could benefit from many things in here... and if somewhat new to it, this is absolutely a great resource.

Catamaran sailing 1 required reading
For anyone interested in catamaran sailing specifically - this is a comprehensive overview from purchasing decision factors to advanced racing techniques, and everything in between. The information is provided in an extremely user friendly format - the book is a joy to read - highly recommended for those considering starting cat sailing, just beginning cat sailing , or ready to race catamarans.

Great Beginner Book, that's it
If you are considering buying a cat or have never sailed, this is a fine book. Info on standing up the mast putting the sails on, etc. If you know anything about sailing (can leave a spot and hit land somewhere else), this isn't the book for you. Tons of generic information on buying a boat, sailing and turning a boat. Hardly any specifics on any boat. I was very dissappointed. I was expecting a little bit on batten tension, rig tension, etc. Book briefly covers mast rake, shifting gears, and other itermediate set up techniques, but does not give much specific information on "if you do this, this will happen"