I was recently asked for a recommendation on a good 'learn to sail' book for a novice learning on a catamaran? (Hobie Getaway in this case)

I have taught dinghy sailing and there are several good basic texts such as the US Sailing's Start Sailing Right. This book would work but doesn't address many specifics of cat sailing. Is there a reasonbly short and concise, "learn to sail a catamaran' text?

Thanks,
George VS

Look right here on this website. "Catamaran Racing for the 90's", by Rick White and Mary Wells. It's not just about racing and they do a nice job explaining sail and boat adjustments and handling. Just about covers all type of cats too. I'd highly recommend you take a look at this one. They've done a nice job on it.

Don

There is basic cat sailing information at the Hobie Cat Co. website, www.hobiecat.com. Click on "sailboats" on their welcome page.

A great reference for you would be the Hobie U. manual, but I can't remember the contact information now. Somebody else on this forum will have it, I'm sure.

We got our catamaran last fall, after learning to sail a Sunfish over the summer. I found Phil Berman's "Catamaran Sailing: From Start to Finish"[1] very approachable and easy to understand, but I understand it is not good for newer boats. For me, the other easy, approachable guides were the Prindle User's Guide [2] (since we sail a Prindle 16), the Hobie Sailing and Trailering Guide [3], and Hobie University [4].

Rick and Mary's "Catamaran Racing for the 90s" is seen as the Bible for many racers and advanced sailors. I don't think it's very approachable for a beginner - I have a copy, and hope to work my way through it when I have more experience.

Also, I have to say that I learned a lot more in two days of sailing with Fritz Klocke than I was able to absorb in many hours of looking at books. There's only so much you can get out of a book.

Hope this helps!

Jonathan

[1] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...103-1048885-0580619?v=glance&s=books
[2] http://www.performancecat.com/manuals/Prindle151618Manual.pdf
[3] http://www.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/sailguide.pdf
[4] http://www.catsailors.com/Originals/PDFdocuments/Hobie%20University.pdf

I don't want to toot our own horn too much, here, but you should also consider picking up a video called Total Boat Handling, which was put together by Rick and myself. It really is by far the best catsailing video out there, and lets you see how it cats are meant to be sailed.

Check it out on the store for this web site!

Sail Fast,

Tim D. Johnson
Executive Producer, Rick White's Videos

The previous suggestions are all excellent! I have been sailing Cats for a mere 6 years, and still refer to some of them every season. I have to second Tim's suggestion, the video he did with Rick and Mary is great! I plan to watch it again today! Thanks you guys! Brian

Basically, what the other posters said, in the following order: Hobie U, Phil Berman's book, and Catamaran Racing: For the 90's. I have all three, and altho I had been sailing cats a few years before I started racing them, I keep Catamaran Racing next to my bed and will leaf thru it almost any time. The others are more helpful to new (not previously sailor) crew. Good luck! Oh yeah, and Berman's book is occasionally available (in various editions) on Ebay.

sail fast

Wow! I got more than I bargained for! Thanks for the great references. Phil Berman's book looks like what I was looking for but the other recommendations are great too. It's good to know what others have found useful.

Many thanks,
George VS