Everyone's Sailing Library is very personal and built up over time. In this blog I have put together a list of the books I keep on the boat that are my favourites. I have also included other books and websites that I think are useful or interesting. I love reading books and learning new things and understanding different perspectives. I am also always keen to find new books for my Library. So if you feel there are missing books from my list then please do let me know so that I can have the pleasure of finding and reading them.
As you may know I'm an old fashioned girl when it comes to sailing and my choice of books reflects that. But there are some modern books in the mix. I'm happy to include more!
Cruising Under Sail by Eric Hiscock 1965
Voyaging Under Sail by Eric Hiscock 1965
These two books are my most used and favourite. There is information on all aspects of cruising and voyaging from choosing a boat, making baggy-wrinkles, to celestial navigation. If I had to choose one book to have, it would be Cruising under Sail. Be careful the updated versions were not as good.
Voyaging on a Small Income by Annie Hill
This book is worth reading because it illustrates how it is possible to go sailing on a budget. You do not have to be wealthy and you do not need all the most modern gadgets. Also has Wylo plans for those who are interested.
Navigation
The Complete Yachtmaster by Tom Cunliff
The Complete Day Skipper by Tom Cunliff
Tom is a respected sailor and comes from the traditional sailing world. His books are down to earth and well written. They would make a great introduction to anyone new to sailing.
Emergency Navigation by David Burch
The Natural Navigator by Tristan Golly
Extend your knowledge of navigation with these two wonderful books.
Celestial Navigation
Ocean Yachtmaster by Pat Langley-Price and Philip Ouvry
This is the best book that I have found to explain from scratch the mystical art of celestial navigation.
Ocean Yachtmaster Exercises by Pat Langley-Price and Philip Ouvry
Really useful book, it contains only exercises which really helps to cement the understanding.
Celestial Navigation by Tom Cunliff
I found this book useful as a quick reference after I had learned and understood the process.
The Sextant Handbook by Bruce Bauer
A good book to help look after your sextant.
Rapid Sight Reduction Table NP303 Vol 1
Rapid Sight Reduction Table NP303 Vol 2
Rapid Sight Reduction Table NP303 Vol 3
These are the key books that I use for reducing a sextant sight.
Nautical Almanac by UK Hydrographic Office
You also need this book for each year.
Manuals
Great introduction to seamanship.
Some useful books about preparation for the big adventure.
Best book for learning the rules
Two useful quick reference books
Great books on their specific subjects.
Storm tactics
Two important books to read that get you thinking about what might work in your boat in terrible conditions. If you are prepared, then if that situation happens you know what your plan is.
Read up about this great piece of kit. I have one on the boat and sleep easier because I do. I know people who have used them successfully. No one wants to be in a dangerous situation with breaking waves but this will take you safely through it. I think all ocean sailors should have one on board.
Weather
All the basics for understanding weather around the latitude of the UK and a good introduction to weather.
This book introduces whole world weather systems in a easy manner and tropical weather.
by David Burch and Tobias Burch
Study this for an in depth detailed understanding of the complex subject.
Survival
My view about disaster management is to have a plan for what we would do in each of the worst case scenarios. Having made a plan and put in place preventative measures, I can then relax and enjoy sailing.
Survive the Savage Sea by Dougal Robertson
These are the survival books that I have read. I found it invaluable to read about other peoples experiences to make me aware of key issues. I did not find them frightening at all. I found them inspiring and uplifting. Humans are amazing!
Essentials of Seas Survival by Frank Golden and Michael Tipton
These are the emergency and survival books that I have found useful.
The Grab Bag Book by by Frances Howorth and Michael Howorth
A great book with a fantastic list of emergency equipment. I added some things from my reading and Roberson's Sea Survival Manual.
Potland Pudgy - Dynamic Life-raft
Steven Callahan put a lot of effort into proposing the benefits of a dynamic life-raft, and the Portland Pudgy is exactly that.
Sadly they are not very pretty. But I would much prefer one of these little boats to a life-raft!
Gaff Rig
Very detailed book about the nuts and bolts of rigging a gaffer.
Steel Boats
Steel Boatbuilding by Thomas Colvin
A very interesting designer of steel boats. The Colvin Gazelle is very pretty, rigged gaff, junk or marconi. If we had been able to find one in the EU then we would have been very interested.
Metal Corrosion in Boats by Nigel Warren
Maintenance of a steel boat is vitally important. They say that they rust from the inside out!
Natural History
Seabirds: An Identification Guide by Peter Harrison
Marine Picto Life by Antoine Dray and Francois Rebufat
Manual of Freediving by Umberto Pelizzari and Stefano Tovaglieri
Whales and Dolphins, Cetacean World Guide by Ralf Kiefner
Cooking
US classic cooking book with many great recipes.
The Cranks Recipe Book by David Canter, Kay Canter, Daphne Swann and John Lawrence
One of the best Vegi recipe books.
My go to book at Christmas. I've filled all the blank spaces in my copy with extra recepies.
Bosuns Locker
Sails byJeremy Howard-Williams
Medical
These three books are all specific to sailing and I found them all useful for different things.
Encyclopaedia of Lands and Peoples by Kingfisher
Publications
Websites
Noonsite
Noonsite's main objective is to provide cruising sailors with comprehensive information regarding essential marine facilities in any port visited by yachts.
Caribbean security
Website that list security issues as they occur in the Caribbean. A great resource to use when deciding whether to visit some areas.
Blogs
Fascinating blog written by the 'Crazy Man' Trevor Robertson. Iron Bark is a 35ft Gaff Cutter Wylo II. She has spent winters frozen in the ice of Antarctica and also Greenland and may be the only vessel to have over wintered unsupported in both Antarctic and the High Arctic.
Mollymawk
Another wonderful blog with much useful information and sailing adventures.
Morgan's Cloud
A subscription service with loads of really good information and 'How to'. Not my usual sort of website but I have found it very useful and thought provoking on many different subjects. Highly recommended for anyone preparing to leave on a long voyage.
Joshua Slocum's epic solo voyage around the world in 1895 in the 37 foot sloop Spray stands as one of the greatest sea adventures of all time. It remains one of the major feats of singlehanded voyaging, and has since been the inspiration for the many who have gone to sea in small boats.
The Ocean Voyager and Me by Di Beach
The story of how my father built a boat in Africa in the 1960's and sailed home to Europe, written by my mother.
About the Golden Globe yacht race of 1968. Nine sailors set off on the most daring race ever held: to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe nonstop. It was a feat that had never been accomplished and one that would forever change the face of sailing.
D. M. Street Jr., a lifetime sailor, has spent over fifty years cruising, charting and writing about the Caribbean. Forty of those years were spent in his 46ft. engineless yawl, Iolaire, built in 1905, and 6 years on the 28ft engineless yawl L'll Iolaire, in the caribbean.
Donald Street's books are full of really good basic advice and although some things are out of date many are not.
This wonderful book is essential reading along side more modern Atlantic Crossing Guides, it also provides a good introduction into Caribbean sailing.
These three books contain a wealth of knowledge and some wonderful historical details. You must use an up-to-date pilot book as well because many things will have changed, but the passage planning advice is the best.
Great book full of nearly up to date info about these glorious islands.
These two books are currently on order and I am looking forward to reading them.
These were the best charts available when we were in the Caribbean 2015/6. Full of information from Street's guides.
Bernard Moitessier
Bernard Moitessier was a wonderful sailor and wrote these beautiful books of these three extraordinary voyages. A must read.
His first book where is looses two boats and builds one. A facinating account.
The Logical Route
Sailing back to Europe via Cape Horn because it would be quicker!
The Long Way
About how he came to sail One and a half times around the world without stopping.
Lin and Larry Parody
These three books have many interesting and detailed ideas for the self-sufficient, cost conscious and capable cruiser.
A great introduction to provisioning on a small boat.
Mariners Library
The Mariners Library is a series of classic nautical books published by Rupert Hart-Davis are mainly accounts of cruises. No's 1-46 were issued between 1947 and 1959 and N0's 47-48 were added when the series was re-issued with new dusk jackets in the 1960s. A great collection of classic sailing stories.
I am slowly acquiring this collection and have enjoyed reading them all.
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