Laser Library

We have selected the following books which we recommend for Laser sailors. Some are aimed at specific levels of ability, while others are more general.
Postage & packing prices per book or DVD are as follows:
UK (Royal Mail 1st Class) - £3.00
Europe (Airmail) - £4.00
Rest of World (Airmail) - £6.00

All books are paperback. If you wish to pay by credit card (American Express, Solo, Switch, JCB, Mastercard or Visa), please either call ILCA on +44 1326 315 064 or complete the order form, and print & fax a copy to ILCA on +44 1326 318968. Alternatively please send your name and address, title and quantity of each book required, together with full payment (including P&P), to the International Office at PO Box 26, FALMOUTH, Cornwall TR11 3TN, UK, in which case payment may also be made by a UK cheque in pounds sterling (payable to "ILCA").

Knots and Splices - Steve Judkins and Tim Davison
This little book demystifies the black art of knot tying. It covers all the knots that everyone should know including their advantages and dangers. It then progresses to other useful knots and finishes with splices.
BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
Pages = 64 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 70%
PRICE: - £5.95

Be Your Own Sailing Coach - Jon Emmett
NEW

In this practical self-coaching guide for the serious racing buff, veteran sailing coach Jon Emmett explains how anyone can improve his or her sailing technique in manageable stages. By breaking down racing into 20 key topics, Emmett shows how aspiring yacht and dinghy racers can learn to measure their own strengths and weaknesses and improve key skills step by step. The book also includes practical tips and wisdom from Olympic champions including Paul Goodison and Joe Glanfield.

PRICE: - £14.99

RYA Tactics - Mark Rushall

This book is a very comprehensive and accessible guide to sailboat tactics. Although not specifically written for the Laser, it gives an insightful view of race preparation, individual boat on boat tactics and overall race strategy to help all sailors better understand and perform in both fleet racing and club handicap racing.

BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

PRICE: - £13.99

RYA Laser Handbook - Paul Goodison

The RYA Laser Handbook has a detailed and technical approach to all areas of Laser sailing. Written by Paul Goodison, this book has great tips and training excercises along with informative photos and diagrams. This book has got to be an essential read for all up and coming Laser sailors.

PRICE: - £16.95

The Boat Whisperer DVD - Steve Cockerill

From hours of high quality video - taken from onboard and chase-boat cameras - Rooster Sailing now offers Steve Cockerill's Boat Whisperer concepts on DVD for everyone. Mast-head and transom-mounted cameras captured the exciting footage of three inexperienced and experienced sailors venturing out at Stokes Bay in 25 - 35 knots. This raw footage has been cooked up into two DVD's - Boat Whisperer Upwind and Boat Whisperer Downwind that will revolutionise your sailing.
PRICE FOR 1: - £19.95
We are also offering a discount for the Upwind and Downwind Boat Whisperer DVDs when bought together. You will only have to pay postage once.
PRICE FOR 2: - £29.95

The Complete Book of Laser Sailing 2nd Edition
This second edition of this book, complete with a forward from Bruce Kirby, the designer of the Laser, coincides with the Laser's 35th Anniversary. The book incorporates the new sail control line systems put forth by the members, passed by the World Council and approved by the Internaitonal Sailing Federation (ISAF) in 2001. More interviews have been added and previous interviews updated. The addition of more photographs complete this wonderful compilation of 35 years of Laser sailing experience.
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
PRICE: - £16.95

The Rules in Practice 2009 - 2012 - Bryan Willis
This book looks at the key situations that occur on the racecourse, from the viewpoint of each helmsman in turn. It summarises what each may, must, or cannot do. Armed with this information you will have the confidence to exploit your rights to the full, both on the water and in the protest room. Completely revised edition for 2009-2012 with a special analysis of the latest rule changes. Extended to contain the latest Rules and Appendices in full.
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

PRICE: - £14.95

Wind Strategy 3rd Edition - David Houghton
This has, for 20 years, been the definitive book on wind for racing sailors worldwide.
Easy to understand conceptual models of wind behaviour. So that wherever you are it trains you to recognise what the wind is doing and why.
David Houghton has been weather adviser to Britain’s Olympic, Admiral’s Cup, America’s Cup and Whitbread teams for over 30 years. His experience of meteorology, sailing and regatta venues is encyclopaedic. David Houghton has been the meteorologist for 4 British Olympic teams, 5 British Admirals Cup teams and 2 Americas Cup challenges. Here he presents his experience in local weather forecasting.
INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
Pages = 96 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 60%
PRICE: - £14.95

Tactics - Rodney Pattisson
Comprehensive guide to racing tactics by a double Olympic gold medallist. Its interesting approach gives illustrated evaluations of boat for boat tactics.
INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
Pages = 94 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 60%
PRICE: - £12.95

The Laser Campaign Manual - Ben Ainslie
The Olympic Gold Medallist explains how to win in this, the most competitive class. Beautifully illustrated with colour photo sequences of Ainslie in action, plus website video footage of him demonstrating every manoeuvre from starting, tacking upwind to downwind technique.

PRICE: - £14.99

Tides and Currents - David Arnold
This book explains clearly how to find out about predicted water flows, how local conditions will modify it, and how to plan your racing strategy on an Olympic triangle, inshore or offshore race.
INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
Pages = 64 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 40%
PRICE: - £9.95

The Complete Introduction to Laser Racing - Edited by Ben Tan
This 260 page illustrated publication contains more tips on Laser racing than any other book on the market. The author is a Laser sailor who mounted a campaign for the 1994 Asian Games, at which he won a gold medal, and the 1996 Olympics. The lessons learnt during his sailing campaigns, education and current coaching positions have been well documented to provide a complete guide to Laser racing which should be mandatory reading for every Laser sailor who wants to improve their racing results at all levels. For those sailors and coaches who wish to cover every aspect of performance sailing including a programme for the next Olympics and Regional Games, the book covers rigging, control line settings, speed, wind patterns and strategy, currents, tactics in big fleets, practice exercises, fitness, nutrition, psychology, sports medicine and preparing a training programme.
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
Pages = 259 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 30%
PRICE: - £19.95

*** SALE***
Was £14.95, NOW £9.95 - only 3 copies remaining

The Laser Book - Tim Davison, 4th Edition
A book for all sailors covering the basics of Laser Sailing. Packed with practical advice on rigging, launching and sailing in all conditions, with some information on the Laser Radial and 4.7 rigs.
BEGINNER
Pages = 64 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 70%
PRICE: - £14.95

LaserCoach 2000 Interactive CD ROM from SAILCOACH
The first of its type to use new technology, including video footage of Olympic gold medallist Robert Scheidt, pictures from the 1996 Olympics and specialist shots of individual manoeuvres. It covers sailing and boat handling techniques around the course, tactics, fitness, mental preparation and a racing rules commentary.
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
PRICE: - £20.95

Laser Racing - Ed Baird
The author is a past Laser World Champion. His book gives advice on all aspects of Laser racing: preparing your boat, practising boat-handling skills and sailing the race itself.
BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE
Pages = 64 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 50%
PRICE: - £9.95

Mental & Physical Fitness for Sailing - Alan Beggs, John Derbyshire & Sir John Whitmore
Sailing has moved on from the days when flair was all you needed to win an international championship. Today it’s really tough out there, and you need to reach the peak of your mental and physical potential to succeed. This book shows you how.
INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
Pages = 95 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 25%
PRICE: - £12.95

Race Training - Rick White
This book takes you through sets of exercises and drills which will improve your sailing techniques.
INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
Pages = 157 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 50%
PRICE: - £14.95

Team Racing for Sailboats - Steve Tylecote
Whether you race with 2, 3 or 4 boats per team, in dinghies or keelboats, this manual will help you. It contains information on the language of team racing, strategy and tactics, individual skills, positioning and umpiring.
BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
Pages = 112 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 55%
PRICE: - £14.95

International Laser Class Association Handbook 2009
Copies of the handbook, containing useful information, contact details, World Championship archives and the Class Rules, are available to non-members.

PRICE: - £10.00

Back to ILCA home page

Be Your Own Sailing Coach - Jon Emmett *NEW* In this practical self-coaching guide for the serious racing buff, veteran sailing coach Jon Emmett explains how anyone can improve his or her sailing technique in manageable stages. By breaking down racing into 20 key topics, Emmett shows how aspiring yacht and dinghy racers can learn to measure their own strengths and weaknesses and improve key skills step by step. The book also includes practical tips and wisdom from Olympic champions including Paul Goodison and Joe Glanfield. PRICE: - £14.99
RYA Tactics - Mark Rushall This book is a very comprehensive and accessible guide to sailboat tactics. Although not specifically written for the Laser, it gives an insightful view of race preparation, individual boat on boat tactics and overall race strategy to help all sailors better understand and perform in both fleet racing and club handicap racing. BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED PRICE: - £13.99
RYA Laser Handbook - Paul Goodison The RYA Laser Handbook has a detailed and technical approach to all areas of Laser sailing. Written by Paul Goodison, this book has great tips and training excercises along with informative photos and diagrams. This book has got to be an essential read for all up and coming Laser sailors. PRICE: - £16.95
The Boat Whisperer DVD - Steve Cockerill From hours of high quality video - taken from onboard and chase-boat cameras - Rooster Sailing now offers Steve Cockerill's Boat Whisperer concepts on DVD for everyone. Mast-head and transom-mounted cameras captured the exciting footage of three inexperienced and experienced sailors venturing out at Stokes Bay in 25 - 35 knots. This raw footage has been cooked up into two DVD's - Boat Whisperer Upwind and Boat Whisperer Downwind that will revolutionise your sailing. PRICE FOR 1: - £19.95 We are also offering a discount for the Upwind and Downwind Boat Whisperer DVDs when bought together. You will only have to pay postage once. PRICE FOR 2: - £29.95
The Complete Book of Laser Sailing 2nd Edition This second edition of this book, complete with a forward from Bruce Kirby, the designer of the Laser, coincides with the Laser's 35th Anniversary. The book incorporates the new sail control line systems put forth by the members, passed by the World Council and approved by the Internaitonal Sailing Federation (ISAF) in 2001. More interviews have been added and previous interviews updated. The addition of more photographs complete this wonderful compilation of 35 years of Laser sailing experience. BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED PRICE: - £16.95
The Rules in Practice 2009 - 2012 - Bryan Willis This book looks at the key situations that occur on the racecourse, from the viewpoint of each helmsman in turn. It summarises what each may, must, or cannot do. Armed with this information you will have the confidence to exploit your rights to the full, both on the water and in the protest room. Completely revised edition for 2009-2012 with a special analysis of the latest rule changes. Extended to contain the latest Rules and Appendices in full. BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED PRICE: - £14.95
Wind Strategy 3rd Edition - David Houghton This has, for 20 years, been the definitive book on wind for racing sailors worldwide. Easy to understand conceptual models of wind behaviour. So that wherever you are it trains you to recognise what the wind is doing and why. David Houghton has been weather adviser to Britain’s Olympic, Admiral’s Cup, America’s Cup and Whitbread teams for over 30 years. His experience of meteorology, sailing and regatta venues is encyclopaedic. David Houghton has been the meteorologist for 4 British Olympic teams, 5 British Admirals Cup teams and 2 Americas Cup challenges. Here he presents his experience in local weather forecasting. INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED Pages = 96 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 60% PRICE: - £14.95
Tactics - Rodney Pattisson Comprehensive guide to racing tactics by a double Olympic gold medallist. Its interesting approach gives illustrated evaluations of boat for boat tactics. INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED Pages = 94 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 60% PRICE: - £12.95
The Laser Campaign Manual - Ben Ainslie The Olympic Gold Medallist explains how to win in this, the most competitive class. Beautifully illustrated with colour photo sequences of Ainslie in action, plus website video footage of him demonstrating every manoeuvre from starting, tacking upwind to downwind technique. PRICE: - £14.99
Tides and Currents - David Arnold This book explains clearly how to find out about predicted water flows, how local conditions will modify it, and how to plan your racing strategy on an Olympic triangle, inshore or offshore race. INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED Pages = 64 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 40% PRICE: - £9.95
The Complete Introduction to Laser Racing - Edited by Ben Tan This 260 page illustrated publication contains more tips on Laser racing than any other book on the market. The author is a Laser sailor who mounted a campaign for the 1994 Asian Games, at which he won a gold medal, and the 1996 Olympics. The lessons learnt during his sailing campaigns, education and current coaching positions have been well documented to provide a complete guide to Laser racing which should be mandatory reading for every Laser sailor who wants to improve their racing results at all levels. For those sailors and coaches who wish to cover every aspect of performance sailing including a programme for the next Olympics and Regional Games, the book covers rigging, control line settings, speed, wind patterns and strategy, currents, tactics in big fleets, practice exercises, fitness, nutrition, psychology, sports medicine and preparing a training programme. BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED Pages = 259 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 30% PRICE: - £19.95

* SALE* Was £14.95, NOW £9.95 - only 3 copies remaining The Laser Book - Tim Davison, 4th Edition A book for all sailors covering the basics of Laser Sailing. Packed with practical advice on rigging, launching and sailing in all conditions, with some information on the Laser Radial and 4.7 rigs. BEGINNER Pages = 64 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 70% PRICE: - £14.95
LaserCoach 2000 Interactive CD ROM from SAILCOACH The first of its type to use new technology, including video footage of Olympic gold medallist Robert Scheidt, pictures from the 1996 Olympics and specialist shots of individual manoeuvres. It covers sailing and boat handling techniques around the course, tactics, fitness, mental preparation and a racing rules commentary. BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED PRICE: - £20.95
Laser Racing - Ed Baird The author is a past Laser World Champion. His book gives advice on all aspects of Laser racing: preparing your boat, practising boat-handling skills and sailing the race itself. BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE Pages = 64 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 50% PRICE: - £9.95
Mental & Physical Fitness for Sailing - Alan Beggs, John Derbyshire & Sir John Whitmore Sailing has moved on from the days when flair was all you needed to win an international championship. Today it’s really tough out there, and you need to reach the peak of your mental and physical potential to succeed. This book shows you how. INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED Pages = 95 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 25% PRICE: - £12.95
Race Training - Rick White This book takes you through sets of exercises and drills which will improve your sailing techniques. INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED Pages = 157 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 50% PRICE: - £14.95
Team Racing for Sailboats - Steve Tylecote Whether you race with 2, 3 or 4 boats per team, in dinghies or keelboats, this manual will help you. It contains information on the language of team racing, strategy and tactics, individual skills, positioning and umpiring. BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED Pages = 112 / Approximate % of photos/diagrams = 55% PRICE: - £14.95
	International Laser Class Association Handbook 2009 Copies of the handbook, containing useful information, contact details, World Championship archives and the Class Rules, are available to non-members. PRICE: - £10.00