19 Best Sailing Books
We analyzed 6+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 19 best sailing books according to the internet — not just one person's opinion. Each book on this list was mentioned by at least two independent sources, and the ranking is based on how frequently each title appears across all sources studied. This consensus-based approach ensures you get recommendations backed by multiple experts, not a single reviewer's bias.
Goal: Find the best Sailing books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).
Method:
- Search for "best sailing books" and study the top 6+ pages.
- Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
- Rank the results neatly here.
19 Best Sailing Books
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Sailing Alone Around the World
Godforsaken Sea
Racing the World's Most Dangerous Waters
The Old Man and the Sea
Also recommended by
8 people
Jordan Peterson recommended this bookJordan Peterson
Recommended on Jordan Peterson's website.
Jordan Peterson's recommendation of this book 
Jack Dorsey recommended this bookJack Dorsey
One of Jack Dorsey's answers to "what are the books that had a major influence on you?"
Jack Dorsey's recommendation of this book 
Josh Waitzkin recommended this bookJosh Waitzkin
Josh Waitzkin recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
Josh Waitzkin's recommendation of this book 
Phil Keoghan recommended this bookPhil Keoghan
"Every year, I read [this book]. It’s so easy to read, and it has such a strong message." - Phil Keoghan
Phil Keoghan's recommendation of this book 
PewDiePie recommended this bookPewDiePie
"I thought it was fun to read." - PewDiePie
PewDiePie's recommendation of this book 
Lex Fridman recommended this bookLex Fridman
Lex Fridman mentioned this book on Instagram.
Lex Fridman's recommendation of this book +2
More recommendations
- Mark Manson
Mark Manson recommended this book on his website.
- Jack Edwards
"Very fishy option." - Jack Edwards
- Mark Manson
The Long Way
Also recommended by
1 person
Patrick Collison recommended this bookPatrick Collison
Patrick Collison labeled this book "substantially above average."
Patrick Collison's recommendation of this book
Adrift
Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea
Maiden Voyage
Moby Dick
Also recommended by
6 people
Steve Jobs recommended this bookSteve Jobs
Walter Isaacson said this was one of Steve Jobs' favorite books growing up.
Steve Jobs's recommendation of this book 
Barack Obama recommended this bookBarack Obama
On the "favorite books" section of Barack Obama's Facebook profile.
Barack Obama's recommendation of this book - PewDiePie recommended this book
PewDiePie
"I'm probably not really ready for it yet, but I'm really glad I read it." - PewDiePie
PewDiePie's recommendation of this book 
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie recommended this bookChimamanda Ngozi Adichie
"The classic I am supposed to have read but have had difficulty getting past the first page." - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's recommendation of this book 
Penn Jillette recommended this bookPenn Jillette
"My favorite book." - Penn Jillette
Penn Jillette's recommendation of this book 
Jack Edwards recommended this bookJack Edwards
"Classic." - Jack Edwards
Jack Edwards's recommendation of this book
A Voyage for Madmen
Gipsy Moth Circles The World
Kon-Tiki
Across the Pacific in a Raft
Left for Dead
Surviving the Deadliest Storm in Modern Sailing History
Master and Commander
Aubrey/Maturin, Book 1
The Annapolis Book of Seamanship
The Complete Sailor
The Curve of Time
The Log from the Sea of Cortez
The Perfect Storm
A True Story of Men Against the Sea
The Proving Ground
Two Years Before The Mast
Sources
- 1
10 Best Sailing Books | Discover Boating
discoverboating.com
- 2
Best sailing books
pennbookcenter.com
- 3
25 sailing books every sailor should read
waterbornemag.com
- 4
8 Great Sailing Books - Adventure Style!
asa.com
- 5
Top 12 Sailing Books to Read in 2022 - SailingEurope
sailingeurope.com
- 6
12 Sailing Books For Beginners
marineinsight.com
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.
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