Getting started -- Basic principles -- Parts of the boat -- The science of sailing -- Points of sail -- Choosing a yacht -- Buying a yacht -- Transporting and launching keelboats -- The rig -- Knots, ropes and running rigging -- Preparing to sail -- What to wear -- Essential equipment -- Getting onboard from dinghy and dock -- Rules of the road -- Bending on sails, roller furling and reefing -- First sail -- Boat handling under power--mooring and achoring -- Balance, sail, trim -- Tides and weather -- Basics of navigation -- Radio etiquette -- Safety at sea -- File a plan -- Radar reflectors -- Man aloft -- Fire -- Man overboard.