March marks the start of meteorological spring – though the weather doesn’t always play along. The days are stretching, the air is softening, and harbours are stirring to life, but a sudden gale can still send spray flying over the breakwater. It’s a month of anticipation – of prepping boats, checking charts, and sketching out the first passages of the season.
This month’s releases are well-timed for the transition. Admiralty’s latest Small Craft Charts ensure you’re navigating with the most up-to-date information, while new editions of trusted guides help fine-tune your skills. Whether you’re after practical seamanship, gripping maritime history, or inspiration for your next voyage, there’s plenty to dive into before it’s time to set sail.
All titles are available to order now, with pre-orders shipping as soon as they arrive. So, put the kettle on, pick your next read, and let your mind set sail before the boat does.
Kintyre to Ardnamurchan
Author: Clyde Cruising Club | Published: March 2025 | Format: Spiral Bound | Price: £37.50
Stretching from the Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan, this guide charts some of Scotland’s most spectacular cruising grounds. From well-sheltered harbours to remote anchorages tucked beyond tide-ripped channels, it details routes for both newcomers and those returning to familiar waters.
This new edition, updated by Geoff Crowley, builds on the Clyde Cruising Club’s long-respected series. Information on harbours and marinas has been thoroughly revised, with updated plans and new photographs to help identify key navigational features. References to Bob Bradfield’s Antares charts are included, and additional supplements can be downloaded from the club’s website.
Twist
Author: Colum McCann | Published: 6 March 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £18.99
New Title: From acclaimed author Colum McCann comes Twist, a compelling narrative intertwining the lives of Anthony Fennell, an Irish journalist, and John Conway, a mysterious engineer and freediver. Tasked with covering the repair of underwater fibre-optic cables off the African coast, Fennell uncovers profound stories of connection, resilience, and the unexpected turns that shape our destinies. This hardback edition is a must-have for readers who appreciate storytelling that resonates long after the final page.
The Knot Bible
Author: Nic Compton | Published: 13 March 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £25.00
New Edition: The Knot Bible is the definitive guide for sailors, featuring over 200 knots, hitches, bends, splices, and decorative knotwork essential for life on the water. Each knot is accompanied by step-by-step photographs and clear instructions, making it accessible for both novices and experienced mariners. This comprehensive handbook not only teaches you how to tie each knot but also provides insights into their practical applications, strength, and reliability. An indispensable resource for any sailor looking to master the art of knot tying.
Helming to Win
Author: Nick Craig | Published: 4 March 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £14.99
New Edition: In this updated edition of Helming to Win, champion sailor Nick Craig shares invaluable insights gained from winning 10 World, 3 European, and 20 National Championships over the past decade. Designed for sailors aiming to elevate their racing performance, the book covers essential topics such as optimising boat speed, strategic decision-making, and mastering the mental aspects of competitive sailing. Enhanced with new anecdotes, updated photo sequences, and practical tips, this edition serves as a comprehensive guide for those aspiring to transition from weekend racers to national champions.
Inside the Britannic
Author: Simon Mills | Published: 13 March 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £28.00
New Title: Maritime historian Simon Mills takes readers on an unprecedented journey into the wreck of the Britannic, sister ship to the Titanic. Having owned the wreck since 1996, Mills presents decades of meticulous exploration, offering insights into areas of the ship that have remained unseen for over a century. This hardback edition is enriched with rare photographs, original blueprints, and digital recreations, making it an essential addition for anyone with an interest in maritime history.
Queen Anne: A Photographic Journey
Author: Chris Frame & Rachelle Cross | Published: 13 March 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £25.00
New Title: Maritime historians Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross present Queen Anne: A Photographic Journey, offering an in-depth look into Cunard's latest luxury liner. This beautifully crafted hardback features over 200 colour photographs, capturing the ship's exquisite interiors, from the Grand Lobby to the Royal Court Theatre. Accompanied by insightful commentary, this volume provides readers with a comprehensive tour of the ship.
Breaking Titanic
Author: Eugene Nesmeyanov | Published: 13 March 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £30.00
New Title: The final moments of the Titanic have been debated for over a century - where did she break, how did she fall, and what forces tore her apart? In Breaking Titanic, Eugene Nesmeyanov dissects the ship’s catastrophic structural failure with forensic precision. Drawing on eyewitness accounts, deep-sea explorations, and engineering analysis, this book sheds new light on how one of history’s most famous ships met her end. A must-read for anyone fascinated by maritime disasters and the mysteries they leave behind.
Ocean: Earth's Incredible Habitats
Author: Annie Roth | Published: 6 March 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £20.00
New Title: Dive into the depths with Ocean: Earth's Incredible Habitats, a captivating exploration of our planet's most mysterious realms. Authored by Annie Roth, this beautifully illustrated hardback takes readers on a journey through diverse marine environments - from the vibrant life of coral reefs to the enigmatic creatures of the deep sea. Designed for young explorers aged 7 to 9, each chapter unveils the secrets of the oceans, blending stunning visuals with engaging facts. A treasure trove for budding marine biologists and curious minds alike.
The QE2 in the Falklands War: Troopship to the South Atlantic
Authors: Commodore Ronald W. Warwick & David Humphreys | Published: 6 March 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £25.00
New Title: In 1982, the luxurious ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 was transformed into a troopship, transporting over 3,000 soldiers to the South Atlantic during the Falklands conflict. In this compelling account, Commodore Ronald W. Warwick and David Humphreys - both of whom served aboard the QE2 during this mission - provide a detailed narrative of the ship's pivotal role in the war effort. Drawing from personal diaries, interviews, and previously unpublished documents, the authors reveal the challenges faced during the voyage, including hazardous refuelling operations and navigating treacherous icefields. Illustrated with photographs depicting the ship's conversion and on-board life during the mission, this hardback edition offers a unique perspective on a remarkable chapter in maritime and military history.
Wrecked – A Visual Journey Through History’s Greatest Shipwrecks
Author: Dr. Samuel Collins | Published: 27 March 2025 | Format: Hardback | Price: £16.99
New Title: Wrecked explores some of history’s most famous shipwrecks, from ancient maritime disasters to modern deep-sea discoveries. Aimed at readers aged 9 to 12, this hardback features over 250 photographs, detailed maps, and accounts of how these ships met their fate. Dr. Samuel Collins reconstructs each wreck’s final moments, examining their historical significance and the underwater archaeology that brings their stories to life. A fascinating read for young explorers with an interest in history and the sea.
Piers of England and Wales
Author: Steve Edmunds | Published: 15 March 2025 | Format: Paperback | Price: £19.99
New Title: In Piers of England and Wales, photographer Steve Edmunds takes readers on a visual tour of the surviving seaside piers that grace the coastlines of England and Wales. These iconic structures, many originating from the Victorian era, have long served as gateways to leisure and entertainment by the sea. Through Edmunds' lens, each pier is showcased in its unique charm, capturing the architectural diversity and the vibrant life that surrounds them. This collection not only celebrates the enduring appeal of these maritime landmarks but also reflects on their place in British cultural heritage.
Admiralty Small Craft Chart 5612_12: Belfast Lough Entrance
Published: 13th March 2025 | Price: £16.20
New Edition: This chart offers detailed coverage of the entrance to Belfast Lough, including plans of Bangor Bay and Carrickfergus Marina.
Admiralty Small Craft Chart 5612_13: Approaches to Belfast
Published: 13th March 2025 | Price: £16.20
New Edition: This chart covers the approaches to Belfast and Belfast Harbour.
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