ONE BOOK: Reed's Skipper Handbook vs Yachtmaster Sail & Power (A. Noice) vs Complete Yachtmaster (T. Cunliffe)

[BarryWhite]

Hello and Happy New Year !!!!
If you had to have ONE book covering most of the topics of the Yachtmaster, which would you choose?
(1) Reed's Skipper Handbook, Malcolm Pearson (link)
(2) Yachtmaster Sail & Power, Alison Noice (link)
(3) Complete Yachtmaster, Tom Cunliffe (link)
I ask because, I would like to have a reference book in English next to "Le Cours des Glenans" (link), which has too much text for my taste.
I recently ordered T. Cunliffe's book but I find the book a bit light (e.g. it doesn't include cogregs).
THANK YOU

 

[Streaker1421]

Hi, having been sailing a number of years, I only just completed my YM last year. I found that just 'one' book won't cover everything. The Reeds Skippers Handbook is certainly a very useful quick reference guide to have on board but won't cover things like IRPCS in the depth that you may be expected to know.

 

[BarryWhite]

Hi, having been sailing a number of years, I only just completed my YM last year. I found that just 'one' book won't cover everything. The Reeds Skippers Handbook is certainly a very useful quick reference guide to have on board but won't cover things like IRPCS in the depth that you may be expected to know.

Thanks. So would you recommend Reeds Skipper + another one for the colregs instead of Yachtmaster Sail & Power and Complete Yachtmaster ? Or do you have other references?

 

[[70521]]

If you have a copy of Reeds Almanack onboard all the colregs are in there along with all sorts of gems of information.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

The book I would keep alongside "Le Cours de Glenans" would be a French Dictionary?
But seriously, I would choose Tom Cunliffe's. It covers what you need to know in order to pass the RYA's Practical Assessment.
I've got the most recent English language edition of the Glenans book and it's seriously in need of updating as it dates back, I think, to the 1980s. It does however have everything you're expected to know in exhaustive detail, if you want to instruct in France.

 

[alexincornwall]

I've read all three both before my Yachtmaster and again when I was refreshing for my instructor examination.

The Reeds Skippers Handbook is more of a reference book and you wouldn't get much out of reading it cover-to-cover. Good cockpit companion though.

Tom's book is the easiest read and quite amusing in areas. He has a writing style that breaks down some of the more technical theory into easy to digest and understand chunks - secondary port calculations for example. But it lacks really in-depth info.

Alison's book is written in a slightly colder, technical format but contains far more information including a full copy of the Col Regs, which Tom's doesn't.

It's a tough call but if I had to go for just one it would be Alison's though I think you'd do very well to read both if you can. Worth also considering Duncan Well's Stress Free Sailing. Not specifically marketed to YM candidates but a lot of concise information.

 

[BarryWhite]

ugh call but if I had to go for just one it would be Alison's though I think you'd do very well to read both if you can. Worth also consideri

Thank you for your reply, it is very informative - Well, I will keep the book to Tom Cunliffe for couch reading. I have found the book of Alison in PDF, I could share it if you are interested. I wish you a great day !!!