With the 60th edition, Chapman's continues its tradition as the most up-to-date and authoritative book available for recreational boaters. Important changes include the latest word on all the new developments in safety systems and the fast-changing fields of marine electronics, radar, and communications. 1,500 photographs and 2-color line drawings.
I call this "The Bible of Boating." Not much that isn't in this book, from reading charts, navigating, seamanship, you name it. The book is updated regularly and is worth getting every five years or so because technology updates so quickly. The basics of sailing and boating are good forever, so old editions have their place on the bookshelf.