"Seaworthiness" is a daunting but important classic.
Tony Marchaj, an avid sailor and independent aerodynamics consultant, theorizes that the "increased casualities amongst contemporary yachts" is due to modern sailing yacht design, which, he feels, often sacrifices safety speed.
In this book, the author attempts to objectively consider "the design features" which contribute to a sailing yacht truly being seaworthy.
Though the equations are kept to a minimum, they are still there, and--to my poor mind, at least--they are forminable. But Marchaj does a fine job of not only helping you to intuitively grasp the nature of whatever he's speaking about, he uses numerous of graphs.
Also, he offers lots of literary quotes and allusions. This certainly helps those of us who have a more literary bent, but who also revel in the beauty of boats and the sea.
Some of the book's chapters include "Seaworthiness and Safety at Sea," "The Effect of Rating Rules on Yacht Design," "Rolling Induced by Waves," and the very helpful "Survival Tactics" (which includes a section on "Strategy of Sailing in Storm Conditions").