While learning how to stay afloat and sail requires study, time, and experience on a boat, it is important for the sailing novice or enthusiast to first understand the mechanics of how a boat moves through wind and water. Whether your interests are in recreational or competitive sailing, the principles remain the same. Knowing what sails do, how to use them and when, is important.

Royce’s Sailing Illustrated Vol. 1 is a classic sailing manual that ADM recommends to beginning sailors. This text, illustrated with schematic drawings, teaches the basic principles and vocabulary of sailing. Royce also presents a variety of boats and defines different sails and instruments used to yield the optimum output for each vessel.