25 Best Books For Boaters And Sailors
From practical hints and tips to true stories about the most treacherous voyages ever made, to literary classics.
January 23, 2025
Our nautical literary book selection is chosen by seafarers and adventurers from far-flung corners of the world. It spans non-fiction handbooks on seamanship and boat maintenance, recommended world cruising routes, as well as first-hand accounts of moving from land to boat, and true stories about the most treacherous voyages ever made, to literary classics. HINT: Exchange your mobile apps for good old-fashioned print edition books to slow down your pace a bit, offering a true escape from the modern world.
- Why Read Onboard?
- A Mariner's Library
- Nineteen Non-Fiction Books
- Six Fiction Books
- Storing Books Onboard
Why Read Onboard?
When cruising a long passage, books and stargazing are often preferred over screen time since boaters tend to have classic methods, traditions, and interests. A book can keep you entertained for days, weeks, or even months. The tranquil waterside setting of a boat enriches every page with the gentle lapping of waves, the soft rustle of the breeze, and the occasional call of seabirds. This creates an atmosphere perfect for reflection, relaxation, and a deeper connection to the stories being read.
A Mariners Library: Books That Belong Aboard
A mariner's library is more than just a collection of books—it's a treasure chest of knowledge, inspiration, and escape. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or embarking on your first voyage, the right books can be invaluable companions on the water. From practical guides on boat maintenance and seamanship to captivating tales of adventure and survival, these titles provide both education and entertainment.
Above: The Annapolis Book of Seamanship. Image via Amazon.
19 Non-Fiction Books
Non-fiction books are essential companions for sailors, offering practical guidance, inspiration, and a wealth of knowledge. From technical manuals to true adventure stories, these titles are must-haves for any boat library.
- Outboard Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair — by Ed Sherman
A comprehensive manual covering maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs for 2-stroke and 4-stroke outboard engines, ranging from 2 to 300 horsepower. - Fiberglass Boat Repairs — Illustrated by Roger Marshall
An easy-to-use reference for repairing fiberglass boats. Save money on repairs, enhance safety, and maintain your vessel’s value with this step-by-step guide. - The Voyager's Handbook: The Essential Guide to Blue Water Cruising — by Beth A. Leonard
Plan, prepare, and execute long-distance cruising with this essential guide, designed for dreamers and full-time liveaboards alike. - Sailing Alone Around the World — by Joshua Slocum
A witty memoir of the first solo circumnavigation of the globe, filled with personal anecdotes and hand-drawn illustrations. - Storm Tactics: Modern Methods of Heaving-to for Survival in Extreme Conditions — by Lynn & Larry Pardey
Prepare for extreme weather at sea with advice from two of America’s most renowned cruising sailors. - The Annapolis Book of Seamanship — by John Rousmaniere
Referred to as the "sailing bible," this book covers navigation, safety, maintenance, and more—ideal for sailors of all levels. - World Cruising Routes — by Jimmy Cornell
With over 1,000 sailing routes, this book is an invaluable resource for planning voyages in any ocean. - The Boat Galley Cookbook — by Carolyn Shearlock
800 recipes tailored for the challenges of cooking on board, offering fresh inspiration for liveaboards. - Why Didn't I Think of That? — by John and Susan Roberts
Over 1,198 tips for solving everyday challenges on board, with illustrations and practical advice. - How to Sail Around the World — by Hal Roth
Learn how to manage heavy weather and storms, based on Roth’s 37 years of long-distance sailing experience. - Chapman Piloting: Seamanship and Small Boat Handling — by Elbert S. Maloney
A leading reference for marine safety education, covering navigation, electronics, and weather. - Sailboat Maintenance: Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual — by Don Casey
A detailed guide for maintaining every system on your boat, with clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions. - Once is Enough — by Miles Smeeton
A gripping true story of survival in the treacherous waters around Cape Horn. - Casting Off — by Emma Bamford
Follow a journalist’s adventurous escape from city life to crew a yacht in exotic locations. - South Seas Vagabonds — by J.W.Wray
The inspiring tale of a man who builds a yacht during the Great Depression and sails to tropical atolls with friends. - The Long Way — by Bernard Moitessier
A memoir of the Golden Globe Race, recounting a solo, non-stop circumnavigation. - The Curve of Time — by M. Wylie Blanchet
The story of a widowed woman exploring British Columbia’s coastal waters with her children in the 1920s and 1930s. - Trekka Round the World — by John Guzzwel
The inspiring journey of a young sailor circumnavigating the globe in a 20-foot sailboat he built himself. - Song of the Sirens — by Ernest K. Gann
A maritime adventure that captures the allure of the sea and the vessels that tempt sailors.
Above: The original cover of MOBY DICK by Herman Melville. Image: Public Domain, source: Beinecke Library, Yale University.
6 Fictional Books
Nautical fiction has a way of whisking readers away to the open seas, where adventure, danger, and discovery await beyond every wave. These stories are rich with tales of daring voyages, mysterious islands, and larger-than-life characters who navigate not only the waters but also the complexities of human nature. Whether you're dreaming of a far-off horizon, reliving the golden age of sail, or exploring themes of survival and resilience, these fictional works capture the romance, peril, and allure of life at sea. Perfect for those who long to set sail, the books below can transport you to a world where the ocean is both a setting and a character of its own.
- Life of Pi — by Yann Martel
An imaginative tale of survival, telling the story of a boy and a tiger adrift at sea. - The Count of Monte Cristo — by Alexandre Dumas
A classic revenge story of escape, intrigue, and justice, beginning aboard a smuggling ship. - The Great Gatsby — by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A glimpse into the opulence of the 1920s, with yachts symbolizing wealth and ambition. - Swallows and Amazons — by Arthur Ransome
A treasured tale of youthful adventure, with two families exploring lakes, camping, and having exciting rivalries aboard their dinghies. - Longitude — by Dava Sobel
The captivating story of how John Harrison solved the problem of determining longitude at sea. - Moby Dick — by Herman Melville
A literary classic exploring themes of revenge, class, and the human condition through the lens of a whaling voyage.
Storing Books On Board
Onboard storage space is always at a premium on boats, making it essential to carefully curate your onboard library. Many sailors choose just a handful of versatile and indispensable titles to bring along, ensuring they have access to critical knowledge, inspiration, and entertainment while at sea. To maximize limited storage, consider investing in compact or waterproof editions of your favorite books, which are designed to withstand the humid and sometimes challenging marine environment.
For avid readers, book swaps at marinas, yacht clubs, and cruising communities are a fantastic way to refresh your library without taking up additional space. Many marinas feature informal swap shelves or lending libraries where you can trade a finished book for something new, keeping your reading material fresh and varied as you travel. These exchanges also provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with other boaters, sharing stories and recommendations.
Another option for those with limited space is to embrace e-readers, such as a waterproof Kindle. While not quite the same as the feel of a traditional book, e-readers allow you to carry an entire library in a small, lightweight device, with the added benefit of adjustable lighting for nighttime reading. For the best of both worlds, you can supplement your digital library with a few cherished physical books to enjoy during quiet moments on deck.
No matter how you choose to store your books on board, a thoughtfully selected collection will make long passages and lazy afternoons at anchor even more enjoyable. Reading while surrounded by the beauty of the sea creates an unparalleled sense of tranquility and connection to the stories you explore.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our guide to the best sailing movies.
