Fast Handling Technique

Bethwaite was a thinking sailor's sailor. He used a lot of common sense and very innovative straight forward experimental techniques to explore some rather involved questions about the nature of wind and water and how sailors can use that to go faster around the course. His success is self evident. This last book of his is more of a wonderful ramble though his mind, thoughts and ideas, which I assure you is a worthwhile use of your time. What this book is not is a prescriptive "How To" book. There are a few specific suggestions, but they are not the true value of this read.Personally I thoroughly enjoyed every one of his books and this one is no exception, though it makes more sense to read them in the the order he wrote them so you can see how he develops his thoughts. Every time I go out on the water now I see more and more of what he has pointed out, and I am sure this makes me a better sailor.... not because he told me exactly what to do, but because it makes me think.If you want a quick "How to" book this one will only frustrate you. But if you enjoy sitting quietly on your off the water days and stretching your mind to understand the forces and elements that make you and your boat faster than your competition, this book is a gem.There are very few books I consider to be at the level of personal treasures, This book along with Bethwaites other two are among them.

Frank Bethwaite's "Fast Handling Technique" was published in January 2013 about 7 months after he passed away at almost 92 years old.He repeats himself as one might expect a 90 year old to do. But he repeats it in ways that if you pay attention you will learn quite a bit. I first came across his "High Performance Sailing" in 1995 when it was given as a gift. These two books have changed my outlook on how to sail fast. As a high school coach, I can see the vast and disparate results from those that understand Bethwaite's fast handling technique premise, even if they cannot verbalize it, over the natural handling technique that most all of us grew up with.There is a nice description of how handling techniques have evolved, prior to 1900, then with the advance of light displacement 'overcanvassed' Patiki's in New Zealand [he was apparently unaware of the parallel development in the 21' class in New England by designers like Herreshoff], to the Aussie skiffs of the 1980's, then the foiling Moths in 2005, and concludes with the adjustable camber wing sails observed in the AC45 in 2012. His premise in the book is logical, sufficiently supported by fact, and points towards a future model of instruction for youth and adult sail training that might just reverse the decline in the sport.Reading this Bethwaite book I am able to draw a logical conclusion that points to the root causes of America's Olympic draught for the last couple of cycles rooted in our instruction models. The handling techniques are changing, and while the elite may know the techniques, if they are not ingrained in their competitors as they move up the ranks from club sailor to regional then national competitor, they will be winning based only on handling and not on the further development of the tactics that go with it.Bethwaite's almost pedantic discussion of how he knows the secrets and no one else has written about it, might put the reader off, so too the repetition of issues; but, none of that should cause you to dismiss this book from your sailing library if you race--no matter the boat. We effectively use these techniques on a Tarten Ten, and routinely get hounded by competitors that our handicap is too soft--never mind that it's one of 400 plus boats that are raced with well-established handicaps or that we have the fastest rating in the nation. No it's not the handicap, its the technique.How much faster will you be by adopting these techniques? 10% maybe, may be more depending on your base--who knows, but you will most likely move up in the fleet.If you are an instructor, you can base an entire summer's curriculum for your advanced students out of this book. If you are a high school coach in a competitive league, you can do the same and likely have your kids on the podium within six months.I strongly recommend this book for advanced instructors, advanced high school and college sailors.

It’s a pretty dry read. But you’re not buying it for entertainment. If you take the time and put in the effort to read it (most people will not), there is 70 years of sailing insight crammed into this book, an insight that is not learned by the average sailor. I am glad the author recorded this knowledge before he passed.

The other, more important - and interesting side of modern sailing. As an old fart, I learned to sail the old fashioned way --- "go figure it out". Along the way, I hopped into a class (FD) that I could control - up to a point. Then, we had to break traditional rules - and to our surprise, we went even faster. The incredible Mr Bethwaite explains that - and "the rest of the story", to my knowledge, for the first time.

As with Frank Bethwaite's other books, this book contains a lot of graphs, vector diagrams and the physics of sailing. If you can get your head around it it will help you understand the physics of how a boat sails and how you can minimize drag to sail faster.If you've read all the other sailing books with their simple explanations of how to sail fast and want to know WHY you sail a certain way or WHY you adjust the kicker in certain wind, this is a brilliant book and will explain all you could ever want to know about sailing small dinghies and skiffs.

I picked up some good techniques from. the book, but it seemed repetitious. Could have been a 20 page pamphlet.

I liked this book as it expalined what you need to do and why on a topic that when it becomes what you do all the time, you don't talk about it.So for the average sailor, it explained why the guys that are always first are doing to be there. Your sailing will improve if you use any of this book

This book is simply amazing. I've been sailing since I am 6 years old. (Im 21.) Went through Optimist, Cadet, 420, Laser, 40 footers and right now 29er. Had my fair share of international championships as well. Anyway, Due to university i wasnt able to sail as much as i would like to, and there are lots of things you kinda start to "forget", therefore the importance of training. However, i read this book, and not only i learnt a lot of set up and trim with it (and the physical explanation), but i kind of reactivated the whole routine thing that leads you to the top! Lots of motivation, and you will not be able to wait until your next regatta once you read this book! Let the magic begin!

This book was exactly what I was looking for. I have been sailing a laser for 5 yrs now, and I have worked my way from the back, upto the middle pack. But trying to gain that extra performance to beat my opponents has been demoralising as I have poor results, with the odd good one.This book described my style of sailing to a tee as 'a natural sailor', and that's why I struggle. As boat speeds increase, your boat handling also needs to change to cope.After a few sails using the techniques written, I am more confident and faster on the water.This book describes how 'fast handling' was developed and why, and briefly covers modern 'foiling' boats.It also has expert sail setting sections about the following craft: Laser, Tasar, 49er, Foil Moth and DN Iceboats and DN Optimists.

The book just keeps reiterating a simple theory

Grandson doubly overjoyed.

They main thrust of the book is over stated. Bear away in a gust. Still some interesting points.

Great book as usual from Frank, great insight