While relatively few cruise single-handed, many sail short-handed. It may be a couple sailing together or indeed a skipper with a novice crew - he may have lots of people onboard but, in terms of the sailing, he is probably short-handed. They soon discover that there is so much more to short-handed sailing than a lack of crew. It demands a different approach, a new mindset. The skipper has a much greater workload but there are also fewer people, sometimes no-one at all, to consult during the decision-making process. Under these circumstances fatigue can be as dangerous as heavy weather: it creeps up on you, often unnoticed, destroying your morale and ability to make rational decisions. And when short-handed, the crew's limited physical resources must be watched over and zealously guarded. In this heavily illustrated book Alastair Buchan passes on the lessons of his hard-won experience gained short- and single-handed sailing in coastal, offshore and ocean waters. It will show you everything you need to know about handling a boat alone or short-handed, from choosing a suitable craft to passage planning, manoeuvring, sleep management and watch keeping.

"covers the basics from coming alongside... casting off, to sail handling routines and... tricky situations - like going aloft - with diagrams." (Yachts and Yachting) "this is the book for everyone who puts to sea in a small boat." (Boat Mart)

Alastair Buchan began sailing on the Clyde. In a Hurley 20 he sailed single-handed round Britain, and made his first single-handed Atlantic circuit. He made his second in a Dockrell 27 (27 ft this time) sailing from Britain to the Caribbean and on to the USA via Venezuela and Cuba before sailing home.