20 Best Books On Sailing (2023 Update)

With text by henry beard, founder of the national lampoon and illustrations by roy mckie, here is the new york times bestselling lexicon of sailing–or, the art of getting wet and becoming ill while slowly going nowhere at great expense.sailing embarks upon uncharted waters, diving authoritatively into terms like adrift (a boat that is drifting), aglub (a boat that is sinking), and flotsam (anything floating in the water from which there is no response when the offer of a cocktail is made). full-sail ahead, flying the flag of obsession, the book lists close to 200 definitions and presents more than 50 full-page cartoons–to bring new meaning not just to the anchor and aneroid barometer, but to the boom, buoy, brightwork, and beaufort scale, too. the book plumbs the depths of the sea's rich traditions, providing a fix on the catamaran and dinghy, the gunwale and jib-boom, the mizzen, porthole, and ketch (a disagreeable clause in many boat-purchase contracts). 710,000 copies in print.

Sailing is a popular sport and this book is a very comprehensive treatment of the subject…. the volume is well illustrated with color photographs [and] this reviewer was impressed by the constant stress the authors place on safety at sea…. this title is recommended for general reference collections. –american reference books annual the sailing bible is for all sailors, whatever their level of experience. it provides novice sailors with all that they need to take to the water and helps experienced sailors improve their skills and deepen their knowledge. instruction ranges from learning the anatomy of a boat to handling emergencies. an extraordinary amount of sound advice and expert tips will help all sailors to build their skills and knowledge, and help to ensure safety and increase enjoyment on the water. this second edition has been revised to include updated maps and charts and current information on gps and other factors related to navigation. the book's eight chapters cover a comprehensive range of more than 150 beginner to advanced topics for all sailors. the material covered includes: dinghies and yachts cruising and racing launching, helming, trapezing and capsizing racing techniques and tactics buoys, tides, charts and navigation anchoring and marina berthing knots, ropes and flags boat etiquette and seamanship safety and emergencies and much more. hundreds of color photographs, explanatory drawings and navigation charts illustrate and further explain the important content. call-out boxes and sidebars highlight information for easy reference and serve as reminders to the sailor. the sailing bible is the most comprehensive guide to the exciting sport of sailing. fully updated and exceptionally well-priced, it is the ideal choice as a reference to keep onboard, as a resource in preparation for certification or as a practical gift for a new sailor of any age.

Landlubbers joke that sailors are always wanting to head off to the ends of the earth, but chris santella takes that life-changing desire very seriously. in this, the third installment in his immensely successful fifty places series, santella assembles a crew of the world's greatest championship racers and professional adventurers and persuades them to disclose their favorite destinations around the globe. interviewees include some of the best-known men and women in the sport: tom whidden and gary jobson (members of the winning 1987 america's cup crew), jeff johnstone (of j-boats), award-winning sailing writer lin pardy, and many others. the amazingly diverse places they've selected range from clubby east coast ports (marblehead, annapolis), to idyllic tropical refuges (ilha grande, brazil; the polynesian atoll of mopelia), to some of the most hair-raisingly treacherous waters on earth (cape horn). coastlines around the world even antarctica and the arctic are represented, and the chosen spots include some spectacular inland waters, such as the bras d'or lakes and the north channel of lake huron. for each of the 50 places, the sailor recommending the venue spins an entertaining yarn about his or her experience there, and each description is accompanied by a make you want to go there now photograph.

This is not just an instructional book—it's an insight into a sailor's approach to the sea, boats, and the ever-changing dynamic of wind on the water "a learn-to-sail book with heart."–woodenboat "a real winner…a masterful blend of straightforward text with delightful and instructive illustrations. quite simply a great primer on sailing and the world of boats for readers of all ages."–cruising world "teaches sailing with flair and poetry."–sail "a great walk-through for the novice, both entertaining and thorough."–sailing "sits in a class by itself. elegantly simple, encyclopedic in scope, and a delightful reference for any novice—with lots to offer intermediate sailors, too."–kalamazoo gazette if you never sailed, sailed once, or have sailed for a lifetime, this book is perfect for beginners but deep enough content for those interested in going beyond basics. revised and expanded to include racing and gps navigation, the complete sailor is not just a how-to sail book, but a book that teaches you how to become a sailor. inside you’ll find:an all-in-one, comprehensive introduction to sailing up-to-date information on techniques and approaches offered by the changing nature of the sport exquisite pen-and-ink illustrations topics include: wind sense; working winds; getting underway; the boat; rigging; sails; under power; rules of the road; anchoring; ropework; marlinspike seamanship; emergencies; sea and sky; navigation; racing; trailering

"it takes thousands of hours of sailing to get the kind of knowledge contained in this book." — from the foreword by bruce schwab the only bible for how to sail your boat fast, safe, and alone solo sailing is within any sailor's grasp with a little forethought–and this essential guide. got a 35-foot sailboat? no problem. is the wind blowing 20 knots? no problem. are you racing offshore overnight? even better. singlehander andrew evans learned the hard way how to sail and race alone–with lots of mishaps, including broaches and a near tumbling over a waterfall–and in singlehanded sailing he shares the techniques, tips, and tactics he has developed to make his solo sailing adventures safe and enriching. learn everything you need to know to meet any solo challenge, including: managing the power consumption aboard a boat to feed the electric autopilot setting and gybing a spinnaker finding time to sleep dealing with heavy weather

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. cartoons by sail magazine cartoonist tom payne enliven the text. a comprehensive appendix covers some 50 technical topics. includes a foreword by don casey. "…it is always interesting and very readable." — sailing "filled with practical advice, this book is a winner." — the ensign "vigor, who's written for several boating magazines, has brought his experience and sense of humor to bear on the less than ideal experiences of sailing–and he's even alphabetized them… it's fun to page through and you just might learn a thing or two."– soundings: an interdisciplinary journal "this book is easy to read. it imparts some very valuable information in a fun package." — good old boat "this is a great reference book for those just entering the world of sailing, and entertaining." — latitudes & attitudes "vigor, who's written for several boating magazines, has brought his experience and sense of humor to bear on the less than ideal experiences of sailing–and he's even alphabetized them… it's fun to page through and you just might learn a thing or two." — soundings

From the technical details to the luxurious lifestyle, catamarans covers every aspect of cruising cats, giving you a “dream book” combination of how-to manual, buyer’s guide, and coffee-table showpiece. yacht designer and expert sailor gregor tarjan reviews the basic concepts of multihull design, construction, performance, and handling and discusses the latest developments in this important and comprehensive book. full of informative illustrations, graphs, and spectacular photos, catamarans examines multihull seamanship and how it differs from sailing a ballasted monohull, revealing little-known tricks to get maximum speed from a cruising cat. you’ll discover desirable attributes of multihulls and what to look for when purchasing your own. there is even a catalog of noteworthy production catamarans that will help you compare, rate, and evaluate different types. this gorgeously illustrated book is the perfect introduction to the possibilities of these exciting sailing machines and an invaluable owner’s guide. he has sailed more than 80,000 miles on multihulls and monohulls, performed dozens of offshore deliveries and transatlantic crossings, and crewed with such sailing luminaries as dennis connor and yves parlier on boats ranging from america’s cup yachts to 120-foot monster cats. his professional background includes a degree in yacht design and a career as project manager for builders of large yachts. he is the author of numerous technical and seamanship articles for boating magazines and is considered one of the world’s leading experts on multihulls. he lives with his wife and two sons on long island, new york. the modern cruising catamaran has arrived the arguments are over and the verdict is in–cruising catamarans comprise a rapidly growing percentage of the cruising fleet worldwide. their advantages of space, stability, speed, and handling under power are truly compelling, and modern cats are every bit as reliable as monohulls. this long overdue, in-depth guide will help you choose and cruise the right catamaran for your needs. “an authoritative guide for novices and experienced sailors; the best book written on the subjects since the early 1990s.”–“trimaran” jim brown, renowned multihull designer “in catamarans, gregor tarjan shares his enthusiasm for yachts with two hulls, based on years of sailing all types. an excellent introduction.”–dick newick, legendary catamaran and trimaran designer “if you are contemplating spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a cruising catamaran, the small price of this book is probably the best investment you could possibly start with.”–from the foreword by charles k. chiodi, publisher of multihulls magazine

"an invaluable resource. [vigor's] practical wisdom gives you the know-how and confidence to prepare your boat for the sea."–cruising world. here is the book that answer the sailor's fundamental question–"can my boat take me offshore safely?"–then shows how to make it happen.

This comprehensive third volume in jimmy cornell's acclaimed and successful world cruising series is the ultimate authority on boats, gear, and techniques for long-distance cruising under sail. distilled from surveys of 15,000 sailors by the world's leading promoter of blue-water voyaging, it answers in detail the most frequently asked questions on world cruising, including what boats people are sailing, what navigation and seamanship practices work best, what equipment is really essential, and more.

With its meticulous attention to detail and its more than 2,000 how-to drawings, diagrams and photographs enabling the reader to visualize every sailing procedure and maneuver, this handbook provides a complete course in basic and advanced sailing. the latest word on techniques and electronic equipment. 48 pages of color photographs.

"doris colgate knows what women want. well-known as a sailing role model and a confident yet gentle teacher, she writes with clarity on even the most complex sailing concepts, as well as answering often-asked questions on the safety, comfort, and social sides of sailing. sailing: a woman's guide pulls it all together for the beginning sailor. finally, an excellent book for women that both teaches and motivates. you've opened up the sport." –bernadette peters, editorial director, cruising world "it took a person with her fingers on the pulse of women aspiring to sail to write this book, and that person is clearly doris colgate. sailing: a woman's guide is as much a source book as empowerment to women the world over desiring to become sailors." –micca leffingwell hutchins, editor of sailnet "an excellent introduction to the sport of sailing. it will undoubtedly encourage many women to try this challenging, noncontact activity while enjoying the great outdoors."–betsy alison, four-time rolex yachtswoman of the year "this new series is designed to teach outdoor skills to women in the way they learn. . . . women of all ages describe how they overcame obstacles, what they enjoyed most, or just how they felt about undertaking a new activity . . . extremely well done and appealing." –library journal (starred review)

The most comprehensive and helpful guide ever written for selecting and equipping a cruising sailboat whether you’re a coastal or offshore cruiser, you’ll find your most pressing concerns treated with the know-how that makes for skillful, confident cruising in nigel calder’s cruising handbook. the author — one of the most respected marine how-to authors on either side of the atlantic, and author of the universally admired boatowner's mechanical and electrical manual, — walks you through all key technical and practical aspects of modern cruising systems and equipment, providing you with a summary of the skills necessary for safe, enjoyable sailing. the first half of the book includes an easy-to-use tabular method for evaluating a boat's suitability for cruising; ideas for workable deck and interior lay-outs and organization; how to choose and configure suitable boat systems for cruising; and how to install gear for trouble free operation. the book's second half teaches you boat handling skills; core navigational expertise; anchoring techniques; weather understanding; heavy weather expertise; and specific skills for long-term and long-distance cruising.

Improve a wide range of sailing skills with this highly illustrated guide – popular sailing author tom cunliffe teaches sailors how to improve a vast range of sailing skills, from dropping anchor to fixing an engine or using onboard electronics. each chapter deals with a specific skill and is highly illustrated with step-by-step photos. this selection of the best practical articles from the pages of yachting monthly magazine will help sailors at every level. – perfect your spinnaker technique, learn how to dry out your yacht and pick up some tips for successful single-handed sailing. tom cuts through the theory to explain what really works — often setting sail with normal yachtsmen and women to solve their cruising conundrums. – improve your sailing skills with a pick of the most useful tips and advice – easy to use language with step-by-step guides – expert advice from one of the u.k.'s most popular yachting journalists

Turn a run-down fiberglass boat into a first-class yacht since it first appeared in 1991, don casey’s this old boat has helped tens of thousands of sailors refurbish older fiberglass boats and has become a revered classic among boat rehabbers.this second edition is revised from first page to last with new information on electrical systems, diesel engines, refrigeration, resins, plumbing and more. plus, more than 600 newly created illustrations enhance the book’s beauty as well as its utility.

An estimated 4.1 million people in the united states participate in recreational sailing. yet the large library of sailing literature leaves many of them high and dry. on one side are technical guides for america’s cup boat-builders; on the other, simplistic books for weekend sailors with little interest in science. professional and amateur boaters alike will find intelligent and understandable answers to such questions as: what were the key innovations that made sailboats more efficient? how do you increase the speed of a boat? how do sailboats travel into the wind? why are so many explanations of sailing so wrong? sailing enthusiast and physicist mark denny first traces the evolution of the sailing craft, from prehistoric coracles made of animal skins and antlers to the sailboat’s reinvention as a pleasure craft during the industrial revolution. he then identifies specific sailing phenomena—how wind drives modern bermuda sloops, how torque determines stability, why hull speed exists—and provides the key physics principles behind them. whether you are an inquisitive landlubber who has never set foot in a boat, a casual weekend sailor, or an old salt who lives for the sea, float your boat! is an accessible guide to the physics of sailing.

For thousands of years, man has sailed into battle, sailed for rumored wealth, and sailed for pure adventure. and for nearly as long, stories about the sea have entertained, intrigued, and inspired readers. the greatest sailing stories ever told brings together some of the most compelling writing of the millennium. here is peter goss's wrenching narrative of incredible courage in the world's most desolate ocean; ernest shackleton's understated and awesome account of one of the most daring small-boat journeys ever taken, where failure meant certain death for his long-suffering crew. but sailing is much more than headlong dashes into roaring seas. you'll also find william f. buckley jr. on idyllic cruising; james thurber on the arcane and often impenetrable language of sailors; the legendary joshua slocum on sailing alone around the world.the greatest sailing stories ever told is a treasure trove: tears, adrenaline, laughter, and adventure abound. with contributions from:- james thurber -william f. buckley jr. – ann davison – sterling hayden – ernest shackleton – tristan jones – samuel eliot morrison – joshua slocum – e. b. s. forester – cleveland amory – weston martyr – peter goss – david kasanof

For thousands of years, man has sailed into battle, sailed for rumored wealth, and sailed for pure adventure. and for nearly as long, stories about the sea have entertained, intrigued, and inspired readers. the greatest sailing stories ever told brings together some of the most compelling writing of the millennium. here is peter goss's wrenching narrative of incredible courage in the world's most desolate ocean; ernest shackleton's understated and awesome account of one of the most daring small-boat journeys ever taken, where failure meant certain death for his long-suffering crew. but sailing is much more than headlong dashes into roaring seas. you'll also find william f. buckley jr. on idyllic cruising; james thurber on the arcane and often impenetrable language of sailors; the legendary joshua slocum on sailing alone around the world.the greatest sailing stories ever told is a treasure trove: tears, adrenaline, laughter, and adventure abound. with contributions from:- james thurber -william f. buckley jr. – ann davison – sterling hayden – ernest shackleton – tristan jones – samuel eliot morrison – joshua slocum – e. b. s. forester – cleveland amory – weston martyr – peter goss – david kasanof

With sailing, acclaimed teacher and racer dave franzel moves you quickly from book to boat. it is his firm conviction that the best and most effective way to learn to sail is to be out on the water. accordingly, he treats the theory of sailing in a straightforward, no-nonsense fashion–just the way he's done so successfully for years at his boston sailing center. the essential information in this book is comprehensive, effectively reinforced, and clarified with more than 100 excellent line drawings. sailing is exactly what it says it is. after studying this book, you'll understand the fundamental concepts well enough to be confident of your abilities when you board your boat for the first time. you'll learn how to sail on and off moorings and docks, how to trim the sail, and how to balance the boat properly. you will be introduced to the rules of the road, anchoring, navigation, spinnaker sailing, heavy-weather sailing, and basic seamanship. in short, you'll have all the keys to a successful, fun, and safe time under sail. pleasant sailing!

With sailing, acclaimed teacher and racer dave franzel moves you quickly from book to boat. it is his firm conviction that the best and most effective way to learn to sail is to be out on the water. accordingly, he treats the theory of sailing in a straightforward, no-nonsense fashion–just the way he's done so successfully for years at his boston sailing center. the essential information in this book is comprehensive, effectively reinforced, and clarified with more than 100 excellent line drawings. sailing is exactly what it says it is. after studying this book, you'll understand the fundamental concepts well enough to be confident of your abilities when you board your boat for the first time. you'll learn how to sail on and off moorings and docks, how to trim the sail, and how to balance the boat properly. you will be introduced to the rules of the road, anchoring, navigation, spinnaker sailing, heavy-weather sailing, and basic seamanship. in short, you'll have all the keys to a successful, fun, and safe time under sail. pleasant sailing!

It's an excellent guide to understanding boats and how the wind and water affect them. author/illustrator jan is an "explainer"… and this book does just that. you'll see drawings of different types of boats and understand what makes a schooner a schooner, a catboat a catboat, a yawl a yawl… and more. he uses ants and peanuts to explain vectors. how can you miss-out on ants and peanuts? and yes, the book gives you the basics of sail maneuvers.