For weekend of full-time cruising, by POWER or SAIL, here's how to: read a chart, plot a course, check a light, call a friend, hail a bridge, leave a lock, tie a line, tow a boat, or set a hook. Plus tips on waves and tides, rivers, inlets, and much more.Whether you're heading out for your first overnighter or an extended coastal cruise, knowing what's ahead and how to deal with it will make your voyage safe and enjoyable.Here's everything you need to get started: Reading and understanding chartsPlotting a courseAnchoring and docking safelyNegotiating trafficWatching the weatherCommunicating with boats and shoreAvoiding hazardsCruising is an essential reference for sailors, under both sail and power, providing the basics and much more. Whether heading out for a first overnighter or an extended coastal cruise, knowing what's ahead and how to effectively deal with it will make any voyage safer and more enjoyable. Written for both day-trippers and full-time cruisers in any kind of boat, sailors will receive an education in reading and understanding charts, plotting a course, anchoring, docking safely, and negotiating traffic.