Hello,
Your sample photo is gorgeous, makes me want to see the rest - and I can see why you want to share your photos with others via a book.
For a book on sailing, I think I'd go with a horizontal layout, and include at least one photos per page, smaller photos on the pages with text, and as often as possible a full page photo opposite the pages with text, and every once in a while, for the exceptional photos, a two page spread photo, if possible with your printing method.
This would take your book up to at least 200 pages, all full color, and that could be pretty pricy for printing. Have you talked with a printer yet to determine the costs and any potential limitations on production? I don't mean to be discouraging, but layout is generally the least expensive part of publication, and needs to be determined for proper layout to be done effectively.
I have about 30 years of experience in the graphic production field, with about 20 years of digital layout experience for a publisher, and have layed out several books for self-publishers. I'd love to help you with yours.
I have a minimal bit of sailing experience. My husband has a 25 foot Catalina, and I've handled her on the Columbia River a few times. It's fun. Nothing as outstandingly gorgous as the beach in your photo though .
If you'd like to take the time to look at sample pages and covers for the books I've layed out for other authors, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you. This would be my first coffee-table style book, but I've done history books that are loaded with black and white photos, and I've lots of experience with full color layout from magazines and directories. I can also send samples of those.
Thanks for your time and consideration, I look forward to seeing more of your photos.
Daria