Per a former post 'Song Of The Sirens' is a wonderful read for those who like sailing and adventure.
Amazon.com: Song of the Sirens (9781574090925): Ernest K. Gann: Books: Reviews, Prices & more
For those who have seen the movie 'White Squall', also highly recommended -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Squall_(film)
this was the brig that Gann writes of in Song of the Sirens.