You know the feeling. The pull of the water. The promise of a new skill mastered, a new place explored, a new adventure waiting just beyond the harbour wall.  

Boating is more than something we do. It’s something we love. Something we think about between weekends, talk about long after we’ve come ashore, and keep coming back to because there is always more to learn or discover.  

That’s why, as part of this year’s National Year of Reading, we’re celebrating the power of books to take you deeper into the things you’re already passionate about.  

Because if you’re into it, read into it!  

Whether you sail, race, cruise, coach, instruct or are just embarking on your boating journey, reading can help you build confidence, sharpen your skills, fuel your curiosity and stay connected to the water — even when you’re on dry land.  

From practical guides and course companions to specialist books, eBooks and audiobooks, our range of RYA publications are here to help you learn more, enjoy more and immerse yourself even more in the activities you love.  

Go deeper into what you love  

The best pastimes and experiences have a way staying with us. They challenge us, restore us, connect us with others, fill our conversations and give us a reason to keep learning.  

Reading does the same.  

A good book can unlock a technique you’ve been trying to master. It can make course knowledge stick, refresh skills that have gone a little rusty, or add the extra detail that makes everything click.  

Reading can also change how you see things. Anecdotes, guides and first-hand experiences open up new perspectives — useful in any crew, classroom, club or cockpit.  

And when you can’t get afloat, reading keeps the connection alive. At home, on the commute, between sessions or while planning your next trip, RYA books, eBooks and audiobooks let you stay close to the world you love.  

But more than that, reading acts as a ‘gym for your brain’, offering measurable improvements to your concentration, mental, physical and social well-being.  

Just like boating, reading also gives you a chance to pause. A few pages can quiet the noise, focus the mind and take a break from everyday life. In fact, just six minutes of reading has been shown to reduce stress by up to 68%, according to University of Sussex research, with readers also found to live an average of two years longer than non-readers.  

For young sailors and boaters, books can be especially powerful. Reading builds vocabulary, confidence and imagination — whether that’s adventure, the sea, racing, wildlife or life on the water — reading becomes less of a task and more of a gateway into a world they can connect with.  

Find the book that sparks your next step  

Whatever draws you to the water, there’s a title to take you further.  

The RYA shop brings together a wide range of books, eBooks and audiobooks for every stage of the boating journey — from first steps and course companions to advanced skills, racing handbooks, instructor resources and specialist titles.  

Whether you’re brushing up on navigation, learning the racing rules, developing as an instructor or preparing for your next qualification, the right book can help you feel more confident next time you step aboard.  

Build your skills, refresh your knowledge, support your training or simply dive deeper into the world you love.   

If you eat, breathe and sleep boating, why not read it too? And with over 100 titles in the RYA shop there’s always more to explore.