Here is my current list of great books that really have something to offer the budget buccaneer. As you might imagine, there are no “we closed out law practice and bought an unsuitable (yet strangely expensive) catamaran and sailed the world for a year” books.
Instead, I have concentrated on books that can really help the vagabond voyager and represent a good investment in a spiritual or practical sense. I have divided them into two sections – practical advice and everything else. The list is always changing and growing, so check back periodocally. If you have any other recommendations for books that other sea-gypsies might enjoy, let me know on sailingcalypso@gmail.com.
I have added a short review and the appropriate country links to Amazon after each book. I hope this is useful. Keep safe and keep buggering on!
Practical Advice
Get Real, Get Gone: How to Become a Modern Sea Gypsy and Sail Away Forever by Rick Page
Links to buy by country. USA UK Australia Canada
In other languages: Español Português Deutsch (French and Polish coming soon)
Ha ha! Of course I recommend my own book. Favouritism aside, I wrote this book in 2015 because I could not find an account that was totally honest about all the things you have to know if you are planning to escape the rat race under sail without being rich or marrying an experienced sailor. Since then it has been a best-seller in eight countries and has helped thousands of people find their escape route out of the madness of modern society and into a more rewarding life under sail. The book definitely ruffled a few feathers and attracted a troll or two, but I would have been disappointed if it hadn’t.
Stay Real, Stay Gone by Rick Page.
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
Very much a follow up to the first book, Stay Real, Stay Gone was released in late 2021 to answer the issues bought up by the first book and to dig deeper into the practical and psychological secrets of happy, long-term voyagers. Much longer and in greater depth, I recommend that you read Get Real, Get Gone first if you are just starting out.
The Complete Ocean Skipper by Tom Cunliffe
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
Tom Cunliffe is an extraordinary sailor with a vast experience of sailing and sailing education. As a designer of the RYA Yachmaster syllabus, it could be said that his advice is what actually defines seamanship. His advice is always down to earth and actionable. Everything you ever need to know about skippering a yacht is laid out with Tom’s usual clarity and illustrated in hundreds of easy-to-understand pictures and diagrams. I would not recommend the Kindle version as there are too many diagrams and tables that are difficult to read. I have the hardback version sitting proudly on my bookshelf as I type.
Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual by Nigel Calder
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
Still the ultimate guide to all shipboard systems. Definitely worth buying the hardback.
The Cost Conscious Cruiser by Lin and Larry Pardey
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
Great advice for the budget sailor. Large amounts of the book though are directed at self-builders which may be irrelevant to the 99% of us who have no intention of building our own boat. Still a great book though.
Voyaging on a Small Income by Annie Hill
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
Perhaps a little extreme for many tastes, Annie does show how low you really can go. Great advert for the junk rig too.
Storm Tactics Handbook by Lin and Larry Pardey
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
If you have bought the type of boat that I have been banging on about for hundreds of pages, then this is the only storm tactics book you will need. The diagrams are simple line drawings, so you can easily get by with the cheaper Kindle version.
The Cruiser’s Handbook of Fishing by Scott and Wendy Bannerot
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
If, like me, you are more into eating than catching, this is an excellent book as it focuses more on the practical nature of acquiring fish as opposed to the sporting satisfaction. Great advice on preparation too. Worth getting the hardback.
Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere by John Vigor
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
For the sailor on tight budget, here are the boats that will look after you. The models John Vigor chooses all have goodly keels and rudders and in many ways, safer than larger production boats. Based on models availble in the USA, so of less value elsewhere.
Twenty Affordable Sailboats to Take You Anywhere by Gregg Nestor
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
If John Vigor’s choices (above) are too small, this is the next step up. Still very reasonably sized, but does contain a couple of boats that have spade rudders, which is a shame. Again, this book focuses on boats primarily found in the States/Caribbean although I have seen a few elsewhere.
Voyaging with Kids by Behan Gifford.
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
I try not to write about things I know nothing about and that is why I make very little mention of kids onboard. Fortunately, my good friend Behan has you covered on this one. Fellow cruisers with kids highly recommend this book.
Sailing the Farm by Ken Neumeyer
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
Hard to find in print these days, but full of great ideas for the sailor who borders on ‘prepper’. Lots of useful advice for the rest of us too.
Seaworthiness: The Forgotten Factor by Czesław Marchaj
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
I would not recommend splashing out on this book unless (like me) you are a real nerd about safe yacht design. Far more information that the average sea gypsy needs, but manna from heaven to design dorks like me.
Sailing Yarns, Travelogues and Helpful Psychology
Sailing Around the World Alone by Joshua Slocum
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
The original and still the best. Joshua Slocum was the first person to sail around the world alone, in a time before GPS, internet, sat phones, self steering or liferafts. Written around 1900 it is still very relevant and proof that the sea never really changes. There is a cheaper version available on amazon, but it is unreadable.
Across Islands and Oceans by James Baldwin
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
James visits many islands on his diminutive 28ft cutter Atom – and then sets out to cross them on foot. A very well written account and attractively different from most sailing books. His boat is almost perfectly set up for a sea-gypsy vessel.
A Drop in the Ocean by Jasna Tuta
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada Italy
My former first mate Jasna describes what it is like to cross an ocean for the first time. Not your usual tale of ‘derring-do’ but an honest attempt to describe the reality of crossing an ocean for the first time. I did the English editing for this, so you may recognize a certain humour. The cover picture was taken from the top of Calypso’s mast.
A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
The story of the first solo around the world race and a firm reminder of the reality of the sea and what the wrong attitude can bring.
All the Colours of Polynesia by Jasna Tuta
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
Another great book by my former first-mate Jasna. This is one for the arm chair adventurer. If you have no intention (and even if you have) of visiting Polynesia, let Jasna take you there with this stunning pictorial record of the three years we spent visiting some of the most remote places in the world. You really need to see this in colour, so avoid the kindle version unless you are using the kindle app on the phone or computer.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada Espanol
Absolutely nothing to do with sailing, but a great way to get your head in shape for the sea-gypsy life – particularly if the nay-sayers and trolls are getting to you.
A Smuggler’s Guide to Good Manners by Kenny Ranen
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada
The amazing story of Kenny Ranen who funded his sailing lifestyle as a modern day smuggler. Amazing sailing descriptions as well as heart-stopping brushes with the law.
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada Espanol
Said to be the true story that inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick, In the Heart of the Sea is one of the great marine stories of all time and thought to be an accurate record of the events that shocked a generation.
If you have seen the rather lacklustre movie you may be wondering what all the fuss was about. You won’t be wondering when you have finished the book.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M Pirsig.
Links by country: USA UK Australia Canada Espanol
One of my favourite philosophical books of all time. Ostensibly about a guy on a motorcycle trip in the States, but is really about what constitutes quality and value. Great antidote to the consumerist philosophy and something of a classic.