Table of Contents

Preface
Part I. The Sea
Part II. Life in the Sea
Part III. The Sky
Part IV. Wind and Weather
Part V. Ships
Part VI. Yachting
Part VII. Navigation
Part VIII. Life Aboard
References
Bibliography
Index

About the Author

Pierre-Yves Bely is an engineer who worked with NASA and the Paris Observatory. He is a passionate cruiser and during his many crossings of the Atlantic and the Pacific he asked himself all those questions and gives us the answers found after comprehensive research. Sally Bely, his wife, translated and adapted the book.

Reviews

This book compiles answers to 211 intriguing questions about the ocean. They include, 'How does the wind create waves?' 'Why are sunsets usually more colorful than sunrises?' 'Why are cold seas green and warm seas blue?' and 'Why do some people get seasick?' The selection introduces readers to ocean-related phenomena that they may not have been aware of, including the fact that thunderstorms rarely form over seas.
*Science News*

Well, do they? And how come ice is clear, but icebergs are white? And why are the tides bigger in some places than others? Inquiring minds want to know! Well, these questions and 208 more about ships, the sky and the sea are answered in this fascinating book. The topics are all interesting, and will make for a great 'trivia night' aboard.
*Latitudes & Attitudes*

Take it up on deck with you next time you have the midnight-to-0400 watch to
discover why the sea is salty, when recreational yachting began (longer ago than you might've thought), and whether the Bermuda Triangle really deserves such a bad rap.
*Cruising World*

The questions are organized into eight sections: The Sea, Life in the Sea, The Sky, Wind and Weather, Ships, Yachting, Navigation and Life Aboard. Bely s questions range from the general (Do giant squids really exist?) to a bit more obscure (Why was the Viking tradition of lapstrake construction abandoned, when it produced such light seaworthy boats?)
*Soundings: An Interdisciplinary Journal*

This book is one to pick up to read and read again. The explanations are good ....a well-written book with good pictures to assist the answers.
*Royal Naval Sailing Association*

"Why do sailors wear bell bottom pants? Why do fish spoil faster than red meat? Why is speeed measured in knots?
 
These and many other question are answered in this fun book that was put together by cruising sailors Pierre Yves Bely, an engineer that worked with NASA and the Paris Observatory, and his wife, Sally. He asked himself these questions during the many crossings of the Atlantic and the Pacific and together they researched the answers and packaged them up neatly in this book. There are colorful photographs and graphics spread throughout the book and it is easy reading, and the writing is not too technical."--Ontario Sailor Magazine

"Spend enough time on the water and the mind starts to wander, curiosity is piqued and the questions soon to follow...It would be quite east to spend an entire lazy afternoon leafing through this book, finding answers to question long wondered about, while discovering others you never would have thought of."--SAILING

"With topics covering astronomy, biology, naval architecture and oceanography among others, this eclectic work, popularized with talent and very well illustrated, is accessible to all curious sailors. Indispensable abroad!"--Voiles