Every ocean sailor's favorite book, and #1 on my list!

An awesome technical book for ideas to fiddle with the boat, but also a great rainy-day read, as Mate is hilarious in his descriptions! One that permanently occupies bookshelf space on our boat.

Swell is Liz Clark’s awesome and inspiring story of sailing, self-discovery, surfing, and adventure. Check it out!

This is another that occupies permanent space onboard. Brion Toss, master rigger (and podcast guest!), put together this two-parter on rig design and practical rigging solutions. Need to learn a splice? It's probably in here. We re-designed Arcturus' rig based on ideas from this book. A must-have for any sailor.

Yet another in the permanent onboard library. A traditional manual on all-things sails, from design and construction to proper repairs. Fascinating read!

The book I learned celestial from in one of John Kretschmer's workshops, and the book I now teach my own workshops from! The easiest way to learn celestial, bar none, and a great reference to keep onboard the boat.

John Rousmaniere is a legend in the sailing world (and another podcast guest!), and his book, in it's 4th edition, is one I recommend most to new sailors and old hands looking to improve their technical skills. 

The publication I use for celestial navigation. Buy from mdnautical.com, an awesome little commercial shipping store in the port of Baltimore and very worth a visit. Obviously buy the correct year!

You'll need all three volumes, but these are the easiest and fastest way to reduce celestial sights, and what is referenced in the 'Nutshell' book featured on this page. You can download these free from the government here, but they're much easier to use in paperback format.

I just discovered this one after reading about Andy Chase, whose writing I love. This is a wonderful account of what it’s like working in the American Merchant Marine onboard ships! -Andy

Thanks to Nelson Pidgeon for reminding me that this should be on everyone's boat! I think I have three copies - one on the boat, one in Sweden and one in Annapolis!

Recommended by James B., ISBJORN’s former skipper back in her Naval Academy days!

Racing yachts, white Navy uniforms, sports cars, pretty girls, and a mission to win and have fun. Year of adventure for Midshipmen of the US Naval Academy Offshore Sailing Team in the year of USA's Bicentennial (1976).

Isbjorn (under her former name, Insurgente) plays a central part as the vessel that these young men and women race up and down the Chesapeake Bay and as far north as Halifax, Nova Scotia against larger boats with more experienced crews.