John Vigor knows a thing or two about sailing. He’s been at it for decades in sailboats of all kinds—racing (he’s a national champion), cruising (he has tens of thousands of miles of blue-water crossings), and generally messing about (there is no place he’d rather be).

John Vigor knows a thing or two about writing as well. A journalist by trade, he was a reporter, columnist, and editor, and he’s written more than a few best-selling books about sailing.

Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Started Sailing is a gift, a blessing for sailors of all stripes, a condensation of all he has learned over the years. Aimed at sailboat owners of all kinds, this reference book contains 200 entries packed with solid practical advice and valuable tips. Each entry is categorized alphabetically and prefaced by an arresting statement, such as "People always lie about how fast their boats are." The reference format offers readers the opportunity to open the book at any page and browse endlessly. A comprehensive appendix covers some 50 technical topics.

Here’s a small taste, but look inside for the full banquet:

• Don’t waste your money on high-powered binoculars.
• Inflatable dinghies aren’t all that good.
• Don’t delude yourself—there is no perfect boat.