A book intended for anyone going sailing for the first time in a cruising boat, as opposed to a dinghy. There is advice on gear, domestic arrangements, deck layout, crew responsibilities such as getting ready to leave the pontoon, casting off, hoisting the sails, steering the boat, helping with the anchor and coming alongside. There is also information on the weather and tides, tying knots and a simple explanation of how the boat is navigated. It ends with a lighthearted quiz.