Best Boating Books of 2025

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown is an inspiring and heart-warming story of the University of Washington's eight-oar crew team, composed of nine working-class boys from the American West, who beat the odds and won the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The book focuses on the story of Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who finds hope and a real place for himself in the world through rowing. Brown's writing masterfully weaves the individual stories of each team member into a compelling narrative of triumph over adversity. Overall, The Boys in the Boat is a must-read for anyone who loves stories of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit.

Retirement can be a time of adventure, and "1001 Fun Things To Do in Retirement" by Mike Bellah is the perfect guide to help you make the most of it. This book is filled with ideas for activities, places to visit, and ways to stay active and engaged in retirement. From learning new skills to earning extra money, Bellah covers it all. He also emphasizes the importance of experiencing fun with others and finding ways to make the world a better place. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to make their retirement years enjoyable and fulfilling.

The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko is a thrilling true story of the fastest boat ride ever, down the entire length of the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon, during the legendary flood of 1983. The book recounts the journey of Kenton Grua, who intended to use the flood as a kind of hydraulic sling-shot to nail the all-time record for the fastest boat ever propelled. The author's flowing prose makes you feel like you are lurching along with the characters on wooden boats, beneath cobalt skies, into the frenzied thrashings of the Colorado river. Overall, The Emerald Mile is an engrossing meditation on the eternal struggle between man and nature and is a must-read for adventure lovers.

Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 69th Edition is an essential resource for boaters of all levels. With over three million copies sold, it covers all aspects of boating, from navigating in any weather to operating a gas or diesel engine. The book also includes 1500 color photos, charts, and drawings. The 4,200-entry index makes it easy to quickly access any topic, and the glossary and source information directs the reader to vital information on weather, tides, and aids to navigation. Overall, this classic reference is a must-have for anyone interested in boating and is highly recommended by boating schools and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual 4/E is a comprehensive guide to boat maintenance for anyone who owns a boat. The book covers everything from battery technologies to electric and hybrid propulsion, refrigeration and air-conditioning, and spars, rigging, and roller reefing. The author, Nigel Calder, is a diesel mechanic with over 25 years of experience in the field and is widely recognized as the world's foremost writer on boat systems maintenance. This book is an indispensable resource for any boat owner looking to keep their vessel in top condition.

The Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (Color Print) is a comprehensive guide to the International and Inland Rules of the Road, including the Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Regulations and Vessel Traffic Management Regulations. Last updated in September 2020 and current as of April 2023, this handbook is an up-to-date compendium produced by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems. It contains the COLREGS Demarcation Lines and is an essential resource for mariners navigating waters outside established navigational lines of demarcation. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in maritime law and regulations.

Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die is a beautiful full-color book that presents the world's greatest golf venues, recommended by renowned players, course architects, and other experts in the sport. Chris Santella, the author of the book, interviews 50 people intimately connected to the sport about some of their favorite courses around the world. With breathtaking color photographs of each site, this book is a perfect gift for avid golfers and armchair travelers alike. The Booklegger has done an excellent job of compiling this book, making it a must-read for anyone who loves golf or is planning a golf trip.

Get Your Captain's License, 5th Edition is a comprehensive guide for anyone seeking to obtain their captain's license. This updated version includes tutorials on seamanship and navigation, as well as over 1,500 questions and answers from the Coast Guard exams. The book is suitable for both novice and experienced boaters, with options for different types of licenses, including the Six-Pack and Sail/Auxiliary Sail Endorsement. Additionally, readers can access a digital version of the book and all 12,000 of the U.S. Coast Guard's latest Captain's license questions with a special offer from Examiam. Overall, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone pursuing a career in boating or seeking to improve their skills on the water.

Sailing For Dummies is a comprehensive guide for beginning and intermediate sailors, offering advice from two US sailing champions. The book covers everything from launching your vessel to tying knots, turning sails, and reading the water. It also provides information on the latest technology and safety tips for sailing in tricky situations. Whether you're exploring a nearby lake or taking on the open sea, Sailing For Dummies has got you covered. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their sailing skills and gain confidence on the water.

“This is the most authoritative and highly literate account of these pernicious people that I have ever read.”—Patrick O'Brian. “[A] wonderfully entertaining history of pirates and piracy . . . a rip-roaring read . . . fascinating and unexpected.”—Men's Journal. This rollicking account of the golden age of piracy is packed with vivid history and high seas adventure. David Cordingly, an acclaimed expert on pirates, reveals the spellbinding truth behind the legends of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Sir Francis Drake, the fierce female brigands Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and others who rode and robbed upon the world's most dangerous waters. Here, in thrilling detail, are the weapons they used, the ships they sailed, and the ways they fought—and were defeated. Under the Black Flag also charts the paths of fictional pirates such as Captain Hook and Long John Silver. The definitive resource on the subject, this book is as captivating as it is supremely entertaining. . Praise for Under the Black Flag. “[A] lively history . . . If you've ever been seduced by the myth of the cutlass-wielding pirate, consider David Cordingly's Under the Black Flag.”—USA Today, “Best Bets”. “Engagingly told . . . a tale of the power of imaginative literature to re-create the past.”—Los Angeles Times. “Entirely engaging and informative . . . a witty and spirited book.”—The Washington Post Book World. “Plenty of thrills and adventure to satisfy any reader.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer