I just finished reading The Shipkiller again by Justin Scott. It was still enjoyable to read. It was written in 1978 and is basically about a sailor trying to get revenge on an oil tanker that ran over him and his boat.
Outbridge Reach...............but be warned, this isn't a happy sailing book and is loosely based on the guy that enter the around the world race back in the '60's with very little experience.
I liked Shipkiller as well. It was clearly written by some one who has sailed. The description of sailing along the east coast of Africa was very good, speaking of the heat, etc.