Top Sailing Books and Magazines for Enthusiasts

Sailing, Seamanship, and Boat Maintenance

Both beginning sailors and the most experienced old salts will find many uses for a thick reference book about all matters of seamanship and specific sailing topics. Of the many dozens of books professing expertise, here are some that you’ll consult for years to come:

• John Vigor’s The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat is the best resource when shopping for the right sailboat for offshore adventures or learning how to upgrade your own for extended cruising.
• Chapman’s Piloting & Seamanship has been the classic tome for almost a century about virtually everything related to boating, trusted by many older sailors.
• Nigel Calder’s How to Read a Nautical Chart teaches critical information on interpreting chart accuracy, especially when using electronic charts.
• John Rousmaniere’s Annapolis Book of Seamanship is thorough, providing a comprehensive sailing focus.
• Robby Robinson’s International Marine Book of Sailing is perfect for learning to sail while covering all the basics of seamanship, navigation, and sailing skills.
• Don Casey’s Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual is your best reference guide for learning how to repair, maintain, and care for your boat.
• Beth Leonard’s The Voyager’s Handbook is essential for preparing for long-distance cruising under sail.
• Bill Seifert’s Offshore Sailing offers practical information for any sailor headed offshore or on a longer coastal cruise.
• John Vigor’s The Practical Mariner’s Book of Knowledge provides invaluable insights about boats and sailing.
• Paul Keller’s Cruising for Seniors has useful insights for anyone considering long-term cruising and the unique challenges that may arise as one ages.
• Sailing: Catching the Drift of Why We Sail explores the philosophy and meaning of sailing in all its aspects.
• The Sailor’s Book of Small Cruising Sailboats is a great starting point for anyone looking for a trailerable sailboat.
• The U.S. Navy SEAL Survival Handbook provides vital information for offshore sailors who may find themselves in survival situations.
• Miles Kendall’s Sailing Pocket Companion is a delightful miscellany that offers a fun perspective on sailing.
• Sailors’ Secrets by Michael Badham and Robby Robinson compiles essential knowledge every sailor should have.

Sailing Narratives

Sailors have traditionally shared their stories, and many hundreds have been published over the last century. The best of these narratives serve not only as engaging reads but also educate on how to enjoy sailing and avoid mishaps at sea.

• Bernard Moitessier’s memoir The Long Way is recognized as a profound narrative of a master sailor’s solo circumnavigation.
• Voyages of a Simple Sailor by Roger D. Taylor presents a collection of narratives that also teach self-sufficiency and independence.
• Tania Aebi’s Maiden Voyage chronicles her remarkable 30-month solo journey that began at the age of 18.
• Beth Leonard’s Blue Horizons features well-crafted columns written during her six years of sailing adventures.
• Chris Stewart’s Three Ways to Capsize a Boat is an entertaining memoir that recounts the author’s sailing lessons across the Greek Isles.
• Patricia Vellinga’s Sailing There shares delightful tales of traveling through Europe by canal and sailing in the Mediterranean.
• Torre DeRoche’s Swept: Love with a Chance of Drowning narrates her adventure as an inexperienced sailor across the South Pacific with her boyfriend.
• Michael Cosgrove’s Imperfect Passage tells the story of crossing the Pacific while exploring personal growth.
• Michael Hurley’s Once Upon a Gypsy Moon focuses on an inner adventure intertwined with sailing experiences.
• Matt Vance’s How to Sail a Boat combines delightful stories and personal essays about the wins and challenges of sailing.
• Michael Tougias’s A Storm Too Soon recounts rescues following a hurricane-like storm that sank three sailboats.

Novels Involving Sailing

• Bernard Cornwell’s Wildtrack skillfully blends sailing with traditional thriller elements, featuring love interests and intriguing subplots.
• Cornwall’s Stormchild is an engaging thriller that involves plenty of sailing action.
• Christine Kling’s Circle of Bones is an engaging thriller set against the scenic backdrop of boats and Caribbean islands.
• Mitch Davies’ Better Than Ever, Again is an action-packed adventure tale sailing through the South Pacific.

Cruising Guides

Understanding your destination is crucial when cruising! Here are some valuable cruising guides:

• The Atlantic Cruising Club’s Guides to Marinas offer classic print products with vital marina information for cruising sailors.
• The ActiveCaptain Interactive Cruising Guidebook serves as an excellent online resource containing information about marinas, anchorages, and much more.
• Nicola Rodriguez’s Sail Away: How to Escape the Rat Race and Live the Dream is ideal for novice cruisers.
• Consider bringing along Petrels, Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels of North America to help identify and learn about sea birds while voyaging offshore.

Sailing Photography

• Sailing Fascination by Heinrich Hecht features hundreds of stunning photographs of sailboats, showcasing the beauty and culture of sailing.
• Nautical Antiques is a visually appealing collection of maritime history through photographs of scrimshaw and antique navigation instruments.

Sailing Magazines

While popular glossy magazines like SAIL and Cruising World are well-known, here are two other sailing magazines that offer practical insights:

• Good Old Boat Magazine is filled with informative articles about maintaining sailboats and doing DIY upgrades.
• Small Craft Advisor magazine focuses on boating-related topics for enthusiasts of smaller vessels.
• Blue Water Sailing caters to skilled sailors with ambitions for long-distance cruising, providing detailed guidance for serious voyages.

Sailing Cookbooks

Here’s a fantastic cookbook to enhance your sailing experience:

• The One Pan Galley Gourmet by Don Jacobson and John Roberts presents 170 easy-to-cook recipes suitable for various dietary preferences, ensuring delicious meals while at sea.