Anyone who has come across Des Sleightholme's bitingly witty writing will know they are in for a treat with this book. In his usual hilarious tongue-in-cheek manner, Des Sleightholme seeks to introduce the newcomer to the joys of cruising, explaining how to go about choosing a boat, what is likely to happen on your first time out, coping with tides, knots, and etiquette, and how to behave in marinas. In his own inimitable words: 'This book is for all those who are willing to leave the empties on the doorstep and their teeth on the bathroom shelf and go to sea. Having spent many a fascinating hour aground on the Buxey, keel banging like a town band drummer and praying in a loud falsetto voice, there's no doubt that it's a sport which broadens both mind and buttock.' Read it and you'll curl up! 'Des Sleightholme is one of the very few genuinely funny yachting writers' - Andrew Bray, Yachting World