A guide to tuning the sails and rigs of yachts and small keelboats, featuring step-by-step instructions and more than 150 illustrations.

Modal Analysis Topics Volume 3. Proceedings of the 29th IMAC, A Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics, 2011, the third volume of six from the Conference, brings together over 30 contributions to this important area of research and engineering. The collection presents early findings and case studies on fundamental and applied aspects of Structural Dynamics.

For most sailors, boat tuning may seem a mystery understood only by sailmakers and the like. In this book, sailor, chandler and championship winner, Ian Pinnell, unravels this daunting subject and will help improve your boatspeed as a result. Since most races are won or lost by a difference of less than 2% of racing time, you will soon be moving up the fleet. With hundreds of photos and diagrams to illustrate every point, the book clearly explains what each control does and how to set it up optimally for different conditions. Additional troubleshooting and skills sections take things even further, making this the bible of dinghy tuning.

The Skipper's Mast and Rigging Guide is a new title in our popular series of cockpit guides that are designed for easy reference on board in all weather conditions. Of all the elements that are hard to set up on a sailboat, gauging how mast, running rigging and standing rigging should work in combination with each other is perhaps the trickiest of arts - some might call it a black art. And of course it is essential to get it right in order to stabilise the mast, reduce undue stress and consequently ensure the safety of everyone on board. This handy cockpit guide will simplify and explain to the reader exactly how to set up their mast, rigging and running rigging for whatever size of yacht and with whatever rig combination. It will take the reader through the basics of setting up and adjusting their rig step by step with helpful diagrams and detailed colour photographs throughout. With this book in one hand and a spanner in the other, skippers will be able to make their own adjustments without having to call in expensive riggers.

The Dinghy Bible is the complete, user-friendly, hands-on manual packed with detailed step-by-step diagrams, lively action photos, and helpful advice on getting the most out of dinghy sailing whatever your skill level. Whether just learning the basics or wanting tips on sailing with the best, this is the book that provides all the answers in an easily accessible visual presentation. It's all here! - Choosing your dinghy - Launching, helming, trapezing and capsizing - Racing tips, techniques and tactics - Knots and ropes - Sailing etiquette - Rules of the road, safety and emergencies - Boat maintenance and repairs - Trailer maintenance - and much more... The Dinghy Bible is an ideal companion to enjoyable sailing for every skill level. Praise for The Sailing Bible: 'A first-class introductory text' - Yachting Monthly 'It's a beautifully designed book, with glossy photos, diagrams and clear text, and a great read whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills' - Practical Boat Owner

Introducton; Methology of knowledge representation; General inference principles; Hierarchical control systems; Expert control systems; Fuzzy control systems; Neurocontrol systems; Learning control systems; Intelligente control systems in application; Prospectives of intelligente control; References; Bibliography; Subject index.

In recent decades, a comprehensive new framework for the theory and design of control systems has emerged. It treats a range of significant and ubiquitous design problems more effectively than the conventional framework. Control Systems Design brings together contributions from the originators of the new framework in which they explain, expand and revise their research work. It is divided into four parts: - basic principles, including those of matching and inequalities with adjustments for robust matching and matching based on H-infinity methods and linear matrix inequalities; - computational methods, including matching conditions for transient inputs and design of a sampled-data control system; - search methods including search with simulated annealing, genetic algorithms and evaluation of the node array method; - case studies, including applications in distillation, benchmarking critical control of magnetic levitation systems and the use of the principle of matching in cruise control.

Restoring a fibreglass yacht is not something for the faint-hearted, even if you don't intend to do all the work yourself (you still need to understand the processes to be gone through). But the satisfaction of the job well done, not to mention the possible cost savings on buying a new yacht, are immense. Nevertheless, it is not something that should be undertaken lightly and without careful consideration. That is where this book comes in, as Enric Roselló takes you through his restoration of a 30-year-old 40-foot yacht. Broken down into 46 chapters, Enric details the stages of his restoration in chronological order. For each he starts with an overview of the task and the thinking behind the approach he took. Just these introductory pieces alone are ideal for someone contemplating a restoration (of all or part of a boat) to read before making the final decision as to whether to go ahead. For those who decide to take on the challenge, each overview is followed by an in-depth step-by-step account of what they did, accompanied by numerous informative photo sequences (with over 800 colour photos in total). The material in this book would be invaluable both to boat owners who are considering a complete overhaul and to those who have one or two smaller jobs to do. All possible subjects are covered, including dealing with osmosis, the interiors, deck, rigging, electrics and electronics, plumbing, engine, galley, heads and much more. The author is very honest about the amount of work and commitment required and also offers advice about when to call in the professionals and when to consider doing the work yourself. Anyone contemplating a complete or partial restoration is advised to read this book beforehand, so you know what is ahead, and to follow its guidance if you to decide to proceed.

If you want to win races you need to get organised! This unique guide shows you how to set your overall sailing goals, and breaks them down into manageable – yet stretching – mini-goals. Jon Emmett breaks racing down into 20 key skills (such as speed to windward and tactics) and, with detailed analysis of key techniques, uses a step-by-step guide to explain how to highlight your own strengths and weaknesses, and how you can improve each skill. This book will help you get to the front of the fleet, whether your goal is to win at club, open, national or international level. You will get tips from Olympic racers, and learn their approaches to each key skill; improve you sailing technique in manageable stages; and discover how to set goals and create the action plans to achieve them. Along the way you will find advice from Olympic sailors and exercises to turn you into a winner, with contributions from Paul Goodison, Simon Hiscocks and Joe Glanfield.