Photographs and text provide information about boats and ships, looking at different types of sailing vessels from throughout history, investigating their different parts, and discussing how and why they work.

Uses humor in both text and illustrations to describe what it would require to launch a voyage of discovery, what shipboard life would be like, and what the rewards would be using the voyages of Columbus as an example.

Text and photos provide an introduction to the history of boats, from simple floating logs and dugout canoes to high-tech fishing boats, icebreakers, and floating airports.

Traces early maritime history from the Egyptians to Captain Cook, discusses how sails were developed to use the wind, describes clipper ships, steamships, ocean liners, working ships, inland waterways, and canals, and examines safety at sea and the future of ships.

Surveys the history of ships and their various uses, from the first boats and ancient galleys to submarines, hovercraft, and ships of the future.