Need something to read while sailing on your yacht? Decorate your home or superyacht with our pick of the best coffee table books and glossy picture books. If you're looking for a gift to give a superyacht owners or sailing enthusiast, then these best decorative books, from collections of antique nautical maps to superyacht interior styling guides, will be perfect.
Riva in the Movie by Riva
From on-screen Agatha Christie thrillers to James Bond blockbusters, Riva vessels have starred in films for over 60 years. Riva in the Movie offers a behind-the-scenes look at the stunning Riva models and the roles they have played on set, combining breathtaking photos with contemporary reviews and original posters to tell the unique stories of the yachts that have hosted the likes of Sophia Loren and George Clooney on board.
shop nowTales from the Captain's Log by The National Archives
The history of life at sea is studded with legendary names – Cook, Darwin, Blackbeard, Nelson et al. Tales from the Captain’s Log, a new hardback from the National Archives, condenses centuries of naval history into one easy-to-read volume in the voices of those who were there. A wide variety of subjects, from naval battles to scientific discoveries, is illustrated via maps, documents and original drawings, building up a fascinating portrait of how the seafaring experience has evolved over the years.
shop nowThe Superyachts by Boat International
When it comes to documenting the finest yachts, The Superyachts has no equal. Now in its 33rd edition, it has documented over 700 superyachts launched in the modern era. Highlighting award-winning boats, as well as those that make the list of the world's largest yachts, this is a book no self-respecting superyacht owner should be without.
SHOP NOWThe Cape Horner's Club by Adrian Flanagan
Sailing to Cape Horn in Southern Chile is considered the ultimate test of a sailor's skills. Adrian Flanagan’s extensively researched book tells the stories of the brave souls who have successfully taken on the fearsome challenge since 1934.
SHOP NOWSuperyacht Interiors by Boat International
Showcasing the very best of the latest superyacht interiors trends, this collection features interviews with 10 designers and 36 design brands currently leading the market. The latest edition features yachts like Elandess and Solo and is the perfect read for superyacht owners looking for inspiration.
Dior Joaillerie: The A to Z of Victoire de Castellane by Olivier Gabet
Dior addicts should keep a copy of this tome which celebrates the iconic jewelry collections of the French fashion house. Visually impressive imagery is accompanied by a dictionary of words inspired by the work of creative director at Dior Joaillerie, Victoire de Castellane, and decrypted by Olivier Gabet, director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
SHOP NOWJon Bannenberg: A life of Design by Dickie Bannenberg
This biographical treasure documents the story of the superyacht designer's trailblazing career, told by his son and protégé Dickie Bannenberg. The pages are filled with shots of Bannenberg on shipyard scaffolding or during Vogue photoshoots, and there are plenty of gorgeous yacht sketches too.
SHOP NOWGumball 3000: 20 Years on the Road by TeNeues
Superyacht owners who also keep sports cars in their fleet will love this coffee table book. With alumni including David Hasselhoff, Snoop Dogg and Adrien Brody, Gumball 3000 has become one of the most famous rally races in history. This book marked its 20th anniversary with more than 200 photographs capturing events and anecdotes.
SHOP NOWFutureYachts by Boat International
With new technologies and cutting-edge materials, the yachting industry is evolving rapidly to meet the needs of modern yacht owners, but what does the future hold for superyacht design? Discover the latest trends and read in-depth interviews with yachting’s key influencers and disruptors.
SHOP NOWTheodore de Bry: America by Michiel van Groesen and Larry Tise
Theodore de Bry's artwork from the New World once captivated the European imagination with visions of freshly discovered landscapes, customs, and peoples. This book brings together his finest engravings of travel accounts from adventurers like Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh as they set sail into the unknown.
SHOP NOWSignature Spaces by Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen
For years Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen travelled the globe creating awe-inspiring interiors for discerning clientele and collecting curiosities to inform their own designs. This book lets you inside the pair’s rarefied world. With hundreds of stunning images and sketches taken from Moschino and Vergeylen’s favourite projects, it’s the perfect fodder for your next interiors overhaul.
SHOP NOWYves Saint Laurent: The Impossible Collection by Assouline
Journey through the career of one of France's most esteemed fashion powerhouses, exploring both iconic and trademark looks and moments from the designs to the runway.
shop nowChris-Craft, An American Classic by Nick Voulgaris III
Writer, sailor and entrepreneur Nick Voulgaris III has both owned and restored boats, among them a couple of vintage Chris-Crafts. His interest in the 144-year-old company and its boats has inspired a book. With a foreword by designer Ralph Lauren, this book _f_eatures never-before-seen archival photos and plans, as well as modern day images, retracing the history of this celebrated American boat builder from its founding by Christopher Columbus Smith, to the present day.
SHOP NOWNostalgic Journeys by TeNeues
From riding the Orient Express to ploughing across the Atlantic on a giant steamship, this love letter to the early days of tourism is packed with glamour and romance.
SHOP NOWRolex: The Impossible Collection by Assouline
A new release from Assouline, this book was created for the horologists and Rolex super fans. Take a journey through the history of Rolex and the success of its most valuable, innovative and popular models, including the Daytona made legendary by Paul Newman.
shop nowGENESIS by Sebastião Salgado
Sebastião Salgado turns his lens back through time to a pristine earth his art book Genesis, compiled from imagery collected during an epic expedition lasting eight years. The Brazilian photographer explores the corners of our planet that have escaped the imprint of modern society and shows an expansive, textural portrait of a virgin planet.
shop nowMap: Exploring the World by Phaidon
A good map feels like an invitation to adventure. The treasure trove in Map: Exploring the World runs from an ornate 1594 chart of the Moluccas in Indonesia, to a stick map of the Marshall Islands, and a tribal map of Ghana to Johannesburg. Curated by academics and cartographers, all are explained in fascinating detail.
SHOP NOWYachting: A Visual Celebration of Sailing Past and Present by Olivier Le Carrer
Sailing journalist Olivier Le Carrer explores the world's most iconic yachting hubs and the characters that populate them. This glossy art book looks at what drives sailors in this sport, the rise of fashion in yachting clothing and accessories and even the sport's portrayal in art and film too. Racing also plays an important role and stunning photography follows the history of the America's Cup and other great racing regattas. A must-have for any yacht owner's library.
SHOP NOWBeyond Luxury by Boat International
Superyacht owners, who are sure to have a taste for the finer things in life, should enjoy this light read that's all about luxury and how it inspires emotions in both the maker and the consumer. This book appreciates luxury items and concepts, with each idea introduced by an essay from a passionate connoisseur.
SHOP NOWCiao! by Mario Testino
If you spend a lot of time cruising the Med, then this ode to Italy by renowned fashion photographer Mario Testino is the perfect coffee table book for your superyacht saloon. The collection takes readers through the cities of Venice, Rome, Naples and Florence via Testino’s camera lens as he documents the Italian way of life.
shop nowWorld Cruising Routes by Jimmy Cornell
This book is the indispensable planning guide to nearly 1,000 sailing routes across the world's oceans, from the tropical South Seas to the icy waters of the Antarctic. Compiled with the needs of sailors in mind, it contains information on the winds, currents and seasonal weather, as well as suggestions about optimum times for specific individual routes.
SHOP NOWLOUIS XIII Cognac: The Thesaurus Art Book by Farid Chenoune & Karen Howes
This newly published tome from LOUIS XIII is the perfect gift for the cognac connoisseur who always keeps their superyacht bar well stocked. Featuring an introduction by actor John Malkovich, the book artfully documents the history of the french brand and its signature drink through the use of archival imagery and creative story telling.
Sail: Majesty at Sea by Drew Doggett
Veterans of the America’s Cup and icons of the sailing community, the yachts of the J and 12m classes are much-photographed subjects. Photographer Drew Doggett approaches the subjects from a fine art perspective, and his black and white images stand out for their evocation of the boats’ scale and the otherworldly beauty of pristine seascapes.
SHOP NOWNautical Works by Jacques Devaulx
This XXL edition reproduces the 1583 manuscript of French seafarer Jacques Devaulx, an encyclopaedic reference for sailors at the time and a thing of beauty for modern readers. Combining colour illustrations, maps and astrological charts, Nautical Works is interspersed with essays by experts that contextualise Devaulx’s work and shed light on a time when sailors pushed the limits of sea exploration.
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