10 Best Sailing Books of All Times - Ranked and Reviewed by Sailors

Home 〉 Cruising Info 〉 Articles 〉 10 Best Sailing Books of All Times – Ranked and Reviewed by Sailors

Why these 10 books?

They’ve been tested at sea and survived the harshest critic of all: the cynicism of sailors. These 10 books have all been voted in and reviewed by some of the coolest Salty Seadogs and Yachtsmen we met along our voyage from Tasmania to Greece!

10. Arabia Felix

by Thorkild Hansen

“This is a true story of a scientific expedition organized by King Frederick V of Denmark in 1761. The mission aimed to explore the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Yemen, which was believed to be the legendary “Arabia Felix” or “Fortunate Arabia,” a land rich in resources and knowledge.

A group of six men—scientists, scholars, and an artist—embarked on this journey by sea, driven by a desire to discover new knowledge, study the region’s culture, history, flora, and fauna, and uncover connections to Biblical narratives, especially to validate or understand stories from the Bible.

However, the expedition was plagued by extreme hardships, including disease, harsh weather, conflicts, and internal tensions. As their journey unfolded, what started as a grand quest for knowledge and answers turned into a tale of survival and the harsh reality of exploration in the 18th century. By the end, only one member of the team returned alive, carrying their discoveries and a harrowing tale of ambition, endurance, and loss.”

9. Cape Horn to Starboard

by John Kretschmer

“Must read before going cruising. A story that covers the extreme learning curve a new sailor has to ride.”

– Captain Hanno Minnar, South Africa

8. The Last Grain Race

by Eric Newby

Favorite sailing book of Australian Sailor and Captain Julz Wyatt

6. World Cruising Routes

by Jimmy Cornell

Best: “How to Sail Around the World” Book!

“Widely known as the sailing bible, Jimmy Cornell’s ‘World Cruising Routes’ is a must-have for anyone planning a longer voyage! This is an impressive lexicon of sailing routes for specific seasons.

Jimmy Cornell is a renowned sailor, author, and cruising expert who has sailed over 200,000 nautical miles, including three circumnavigations. As a pioneer of modern cruising, he’s inspired countless sailors worldwide with his wealth of knowledge and experience.

His book, World Cruising Routes, is considered the ultimate guide for planning long-distance voyages, offering detailed information on global sailing routes, seasonal weather patterns, and essential tips for cruising sailors. It’s a must-have resource for anyone looking to explore the world’s oceans, whether they’re seasoned sailors or planning their first ocean crossing.”

6. A Voyage for Madmen

by Peter Nichols

5. Rigger's Apprentice

by Rion Toss

4. Two Years Before the Mast

by Richard Henry Dana

Sailor's Review

“Richard Henry Dana Jr.’s firsthand account of his two-year voyage on a merchant ship from Boston to California in the 1830s is undoubtedly one of the best-written sailing stories ever written.

The fascinating thing is that Richard was not originally a sailor but a Harvard student from a well-off family who chose to go to sea in 1834 on his doctor’s recommendation – being at sea should supposedly help improve his eyesight, which had been damaged after a bad case of measles. Despite that he was new to the sea, he managed to write, in my opinion, some of the most vivid and insightful descriptions capturing the true essence of life at sea.”

– Sailor Klara JB Jakobsen, Denmark

3. South Sea Vagabonds

by John Wray

Sailor's Review

“Johnny spent his time dreaming about boats. When he lost his job in the 1930s depression, it gave him the opportunity to build his own ocean-going yacht. But with about £7 to his name, he had to get very creative during the build to have any chance of finishing his 36-foot gaff cutter ‘Ngataki’ in his parent’s backyard. The wood was found on a beach. The sails came from an old wrecked square rigger. And the engine had sat in a paddock for 30 years before he dragged it home.

He didn’t waste any time when he launched her, setting off with a gang of friends and no navigation skills for Tonga, Tahiti, Tasmania, and a brush with a cyclone.

It’s a very enjoyable tale of adventure, travel, make-do, and survival, told with humor and humility. It also explores the deeper philosophical questions about balancing life, fun, and work. On top of this, it’s a cracking read that even non-sailors enjoy and a good insight into the beginnings of cruising in small boats.