Books for Mariners

This is our selection of informational books and guides for coastal sailing and blue water cruising.
For waterways pilot books and chart-guides see our Pilot Books page or our Waterways Books page.
Click on the book covers for more information and to order a copy.

	The Voyager’s Handbook – Beth Leonard - “Belongs in the bookshelf of every cruising vessel.” –Blue Water Sailing “If you are serious about that extended voyage, read it.” –Sailing This expanded edition of the highly praised guide for cruising sailors is bursting with new information. Numerous examples of life at sea demonstrate a range of approaches to cost, gear, and more, while Leonard’s clear writing, copious graphs and tables, and inclusion of other sailors’ viewpoints shine. This is the definitive reference on blue water cruising.
	Cruising Skipper’s Guide – The book is essential reading for every yacht skipper. It covers handling under sail and power, passagemaking and crew dynamics. Covers the practical for the RYA Day Skipper and Yachtmaster exams.
	Cruising Manual – Nigel Calder – This book is the most comprehensive, helpful and up to date guide ever written on selecting, equipping and sailing a cruising yacht. Destined to become the bible for prospective boat buyers and cruisers, whether coastal or world-girdling, it successfully covers all the technical and practical aspects of cruising yachts and systems in one unique book. This is the book the cruising world has long been waiting for. There is, quite literally, nothing else like it.
	Mechanical Manual – Nigel Calder – When it was first published in 1990, the Boatowner’s Mechanical & Electrical Manual broke new ground. It was hailed as the first truly DIY manual for boatowners and has sold in its thousands ever since. There have been significant changes in boat systems since then, particularly electrical systems, and this third edition has been fully updated to reflect these developments and expand its predecessor’s worldwide popularity. ‘Probably the best technical reference and troubleshooting book in the world’ Yachting Monthly ‘It deserves to come standard with every boat’ Yachting World.
	Imray Chart M11 – Cabo de Gata to Gibraltar and Morocco Imray Chart M12 – Denia to Cabo de Gata and Ibiza
	RYA Mediterranean Cruising Guide – Rod Heikel – provides first-hand advice on sailing these enticing waters. From tips on anchoring, berthing bow or stern-to, what weather to expect, facilities and the costs of keeping a boat there, to advice on navigation, popular routes, formalities and what to expect ashore, each country around the Med is covered – including a section on show-string cruising for those on a tight budget.
	Mediterranean France and Corsica Pilot – Rod Heikel – Indispensible complete and clear guide from a master.
	SW Spain and Portugal Pilot – Detlef Jens – The Atlantic coastline of the Iberian peninsular is a varied and fascinating cruising area. This companion to the region, from Bayona in the North to the Strait of Gibraltar, including a detour to Ceuta, will help you make the most of it – providing not only pilotage and nautical information, but also giving valuable insights into the history, culture and culinary specialties of this beautiful part of the world. Practical information for your cruise planning is given as well as data for on-board use.
	Following Seas – Beth Leonard – Following Seas recounts the story of Beth’s transformation from business analyst to expert in the sea, the wind, the sky, the stars and Silk, the boat on which she learns to depend for her life. Over the course of three years, Beth grows into someone to whom Joshua Slocum could tip his hat in sailing fellowship. Sailing west-abound, Beth and companion Evans Starzinger pilot silk from the Azores, through the Panama Canal, and into the South Pacific, where the peoples of remote islands play a vital part in the story. How does one decide to leave a career and adopt a new way of life? What will you discover about the new places you see, the people you meet? Most important, what might you discover about yourself? Following Seas tells the story of Beth Leonard’s journey of discovery.
	Sell Up and Sail – Bill and Laurel Cooper – It asks all the right questions, and provides the answers from first-hand experience. Whether choosing a boat, deciding what to take and what to leave behind, avoiding mistakes and pitfalls, preventing ill health afloat, or provisioning in far flung places, this book will show how to get it right before you go and ensure your chosen life is as relaxed, enjoyable and stress-free as possible. This fifth edition has been updated and revised to include far-reaching changes in navigation, electronics and communications as well as bureaucracy and other recent developments that may affect the long term cruising sailor’s life afloat.
	Sail to Freedom – This is a thoroughly practical and extremely useful book for anyone intending to sail off for a protracted period of living on board their yacht and cruising foreign waters. The authors’ long years of experience shine through. There is no “filling” – just plain fact and considered opinions set out clearly and easy to find. The lists given in the appendices are themselves justification for buying the book.

Waterways Books