7 New Boating Books Delivering Fresh Skills and Insights in 2025

Drawing from decades of hands-on boating experience, Capt Bill David Jennings focuses squarely on the practical skills that define competent boat operation. You won't find a manual about regulations or theory here; instead, the book breaks down hundreds of concrete driving tips, explaining not just how to execute them but why they matter. Whether you're smoothing out your docking maneuvers or managing unexpected emergencies, the guidance is tailored to elevate your confidence on the water. Chapter insights reveal, for instance, how subtle control adjustments prevent common mishaps, making it a solid choice for anyone who's serious about pleasure boating and wants to refine their technique without wading through jargon.

Drawing from the tradition-rich craft of wooden boat building, Liam T. Nautica guides you through each phase with clear, hands-on instruction. You’ll learn to select the best timber and execute joinery techniques essential for structural integrity, as detailed in chapters on hull shaping and rigging installation. Beyond practical skills, the book immerses you in the heritage behind the craft, sharing stories of master builders that deepen your appreciation of this timeless art. Whether you’re a beginner ready to build your first vessel or an enthusiast seeking to refine your technique, this book offers a grounded, approachable pathway to creating your own wooden boat.

This personalized book explores the latest advances in boating for 2025, focusing on emerging techniques and safety developments tailored to your specific interests and background. It examines innovative boating methods, evolving safety practices, and cutting-edge trends transforming the boating experience. The content is carefully crafted to match your unique goals, allowing you to stay ahead by exploring new discoveries and research in a way that directly suits your needs. By focusing on the newest developments, this tailored exploration reveals how boating is evolving and how you can best navigate these changes with confidence and knowledge.

Unlike most boating books that focus solely on navigation or theory, Miles Nautical Publishing offers a practical tool to capture every detail of your vessel's life with this logbook. You'll learn to track not just your trips but also maintenance, repairs, fuel usage, inspections, and equipment inventory, providing a holistic view of your boat's condition. This book benefits captains and yacht owners who want to organize their boating chronicles efficiently, helping prevent overlooked repairs and better understand their vessel’s performance over time. For example, dedicated sections allow you to record weather conditions and port visits, making it easier to analyze and improve future voyages.

The breakthrough moment came when FunFluence Press designed this logbook specifically for captains and yacht owners seeking an organized approach to vessel upkeep. You gain detailed systems for tracking repairs, parts, inspections, fuel usage, and warranty details, all laid out in a straightforward, minimalistic format. The book excels at helping you maintain a comprehensive inventory and contact list for service providers, making maintenance less of a guessing game. Whether you’re managing a small boat or a luxury yacht, this journal helps you keep your vessel seaworthy and efficient by consolidating all essential maintenance data in one place.

When Captain Matt realized how often buyers fell into costly traps, he wrote this guide to cut through confusion and misinformation. You learn how to navigate the complexities of purchasing various boats—from bow riders to bass boats—equipping yourself with the know-how to avoid common pitfalls and negotiate effectively. The book breaks down practical concerns like dealer versus private sales and what to inspect before buying, making it ideal if you want confidence in your boat purchase. Whether you're new to boating or upgrading, this book helps you sidestep mistakes that turn exciting purchases into headaches.

This tailored book explores the latest developments shaping boating as the industry evolves through 2025. It examines emerging technologies, innovations, and discoveries with a focus that matches your specific interests and background. By addressing your personal goals, the content reveals insights into upcoming trends and practical knowledge to help you anticipate change. With a personalized approach, this book guides you through cutting-edge advancements in boating, encouraging a deeper understanding of how new research and innovations will influence your experience on the water. This focused exploration invites you to stay ahead by learning what truly matters to your boating future.

What started as a simple need to organize time on the water became a focused tool for boating enthusiasts. Stoical Lizard delivers a straightforward system to log every trip with details like boat name, date, start and end times, and notes, making it easier to track your boating hours accurately. You’ll find the layout intuitive, designed to be compact enough for your boating bag or cabin, emphasizing convenience without sacrificing thoroughness. Whether you sail for leisure, fishing, or training, this book helps you maintain records that can inform maintenance schedules or personal goals. It’s a practical, no-frills approach that benefits anyone serious about documenting their time afloat.

What happens when detailed expertise meets motor boating? Jon Mendez, known for his work with Motor Boat and Yachting magazine, offers a clear, stepwise approach to owning and handling motor boats that demystifies the experience for newcomers. You’ll learn essential skills like navigation, berthing, and maintenance through chapters that break down each task into six simple, illustrated steps, making complex processes accessible without oversimplifying. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your technique, this book balances foundational knowledge with practical tips that even seasoned boaters will appreciate. It’s a straightforward guide focused on making motor boating approachable and manageable.