Woman’s Guide to Sailing, by Doris Colgate

I read this book “many moons ago” when I was invited to join friends as a crew member in the Blue Cup Regatta in Greece. 

Not having sailed all that much, I thought a little brushing up would be helpful, but this book is more than helpful, it is also an interesting and easy read.

When joining my friends in Amsterdam, I was introduced to several other regatta participants, before we boarded a plane to Athens together, but there was one sailboat captain that everyone seemed a little in awe of. Today, I can’t recall his name, but he was nick-named “The Millionaire,” and he probably was, many times over.

Once on our way, I pulled out the “Woman’s Guide to Sailing” and quickly lost myself in its pages. Luckily I already had read several sections of it, so I knew what to pack, and pretty much what to expect. I even learned how to tie some fancy knots I hoped would be useful. Now was the time to review setting sails for upwind, downwind, and sailing off the wind, how to avoid hitting the dock when docking, and what to do if one of my crew mates went overboard, for starters. Once the basics are mastered, there is always something more to learn, and since experience provides the opportunities, I was ready!

After a while I felt a presence hovering near me, and noticed that the Millionaire was at my side. Before I could say a word, he pulled the book from my grasp. 

(Yes, that’s me on the photo above)

After a while I felt a presence hovering near me, and noticed that the Millionaire was at my side. Before I could say a word, he pulled the book from my grasp. 

Stunned, I watched as he thumbed through it with a snarky look on his face. He sighed a few times and shook his head before quickly handing it back to me.

“Good luck with this, honey!” Were his only words.

I think I rolled my eyes, because he was gone before I could come up with a sufficiently scathing remark, but I on route from Greece to Holland, I found my moment.

In Athens the night before, we had celebrated our win on the first segment of the regatta, while the Millionaire and his crew suffered their defeat.

On the flight back, I found the Millionaire slumped in his seat and put a consoling hand on his shoulder. When he looked up at me I offered him my book, asking him with all the sympathy I could muster, “Perhaps you should read this before next year’s regatta?”

The look on his face was priceless, and it was sufficient payback for “Good luck with this, honey!”

I’ll post some photos from this trip, but now, back to the book!

(Me again, in rainy day sailing gear)

It’s a woman’sguide to sailing, and yes, it contains all the technical information needed from first setting foot on a sailboat, to taking the helm as captain in foul weather, but it also answers concerns that women in particular may have. 

(Crew mate power napping.)

Doris Colgate’s writing style makes you feel that you are with a friend speaking directly to you as immerse yourself in the world of sailing. And being shown how other women adapt to this sport which has historically been considered “a man’s sport” was particularly useful. 

I liked how well this book is organized, the abundant photos and instructional diagrams, stories about the author’s experiences and snippets about women whose lives have been changed by their love for sailing.

Since “A Ragged Mountain Press Woman’s Guide to Sailing” was written quite a few years ago, some of the resources may be obsolete now, as are the price you might expect for sailing lessons. 

(Another crew mate at the helm)

Still, with every new gadget that could possibly make sailing more pleasant, the fundamentals of sailing remains the same. Catching the wind, riding the waves and navigating the voyage have been skills used from the beginning of time, and every sailor knows that there is nothing quite like it.

(Our distinguished captain.)

The series editor for this book is Molly Mulhern Gross, and it was printed by The Ragged Mountain Press.

It was published in 1998.