Whoooo, now here's a thread I've got a lot of unload in.

First, Phil Berman's book Catamaran Sailing was a good, basic read. I especially like the chapter on surfing with a sailboat! Not anytime soon...

The book was written in the 1982 and while some parts are dated, most of it is to the point and very clear.

Also got Rick's DVD on sailing, I found good for basics.

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However, I want to address what I call developing a navigator's brain.

Started thinking about this while talking with the wife, who is new to sailing, and we started talking about what were the differences between powerboating and sailing.

Knowing how to get a sailboat from point A to point B with the wind blowing from a particular angle is what I mean by a developing a sense for navigation with a sailboat.

For example, in a powerboat, if an island 1000 yards straight ahead is the destination, just turn the wheel, throttle up and stay off the sandbars (inland or sound waters).

However, in a sailboat, you do indeed have to get your head out of the boat first and consider the wind along the course. If you don't, you may never get there. And it's not just the wind, but the currents and other boats also.

For example, if sailing to point B with the wind coming from a 45 degree angle off the starboard bow, is the destination, sailing on a starboard tack to a point well to the left of the target and then tacking back and forth twice to finally land may be the best course.

Of course, the wind may vary. If I start out and the wind moves well around so that I am running, it gets much easier. If it moves around to head on, the whole plan has to change.

In addition, if indecision hits because the correct course was not anticipated, and as a result panic causes too quick a tack, getting stuck in irons is a real possibility.

Just very curious of the thinking that many of you use to plot courses before you hit the water.

Much of this is similar to what the books describe about docking a boat in various wind and current conditions. Most of the good books on sailing spend some time on maneuvers for using the currents and winds to land softly on the dock. It takes anticipation and planning.

All ears...