Solo Sailors, famous and not so famous but just as adventureous!
Last Updated on Sunday, 12 February 2012 05:05 Written by Sunday, 17 July 2011 04:24
Big Bloke small boat: Voyage of a Mad Man ?
Another book where the cover might put you off, don’t let it. A story of one man’s Atlantic circuit in a 24ft sail boat, great balance of humor and sailing narration. Highly recommended.
An Ocean Away:Small Boat, Big Dream
Certainly a big dream delivered from practically nothing. The author takes you all the way from humble beginnings as a shop keeper in the North of England sailing on a lake to crossing the Atlantic in a small yacht. Very good narrative. Brought back memories of the now out of print Shrimpy.
Where the ocean meets the sky
Very different from the previous two tales – more money, larger yacht, shorter trip with a delivery crew bringing her home. This is much more about the personal challenge of sailing the Atlantic solo.
Maiden Voyage Tania Abei
Give an 18 year old girl a 26 foot yacht and challenge her to sail around the world.
Sailing Alone Across the Atlantic Trevor Wilson
I’ve left of the sub title as it did put me off at first “a pensioners tale” isn’t the best strap-line. This is a story of a one mans dream to cross the Atlantic overcoming several major set backs. Well written.
A World of My Own: The First Ever Non-stop Solo Round the World Voyage
If you haven’t read this it is a must if only to reset your own list of must have gadgets that every sailor needs for a bay day sail. The stores list in the appendix is worth an annual review just so you check on how many bottles of brandy, beer and whiskey you’ll need for an adventure! Takes you all the way from a delivery trip with a difference from India to the Golden Globe round solo round the world race.
The Long Way
Another classic covering the same round the world race as Robin Knox-Johnson’s World of My Own from the perspective of fellow competitor Bernard Moitessier who choices an all together different path.
Last Man across the Atlantic
Well written tale about one mans solo sail across the Atlantic as part of the OSTAR. The author is currently sailing (as of 2012) to the Pacific via Cape Horn on board his yacht Wild Song A man with a great deal of sailing and life experience, who writes with both humour and humility. A journalist by profession who also a great story teller.
Sailing into Solitude – 2011 is the updated version of Val Howells classic account of one of the first single handed yacht race from England to New York, USA across the Atlantic Ocean. Given this was in 1960 and in a 25ft folkboat makes this feat even more remarkable. Originally written in 1966 the author has extensively rewritten the tale publishing it ahead of the paperback on the kindle.
Sailing into Solitude
A real classic single handed sailors yarn, updated, and as fresh today as it was in 1966 when the original was published.
Learn Moresailing adventure books
Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 January 2012 08:31 Written by Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:11
Dreaming of taking some time out to go sailing ? My top sailing adventure books which are all available at Amazon (some second hand) will definelty give you the necessary inspiration.
Exceptionally well written from a unique delivery skipper viewpoint The book tells many varied stories from his twenty years as a delivery skipper. One of those books that when finished you can’t find another. To me this is better that the authors other book – at the Mercy of the Sea - which I wasn’t taken with, so don’t be put off if you’ve read that and decided to give the author a miss.
Against the Flow Dee Caffari
Dee Caffari became the first woman to sail solo round the world against the prevailing winds and currents. The book however is not just about the challenge its also part biography and tells Dees story both on and off the water leading up to the main event. Having read Taking on the World by Ellen MacArthur I actually preferred this read.
Sailing with Mohammed Tony Farrington
From the author of Rescued in the Pacific this is an interesting read which details the authors travels with his partner around the Pacific and the Indian Ocean at the time around September 11, 2001. Its currently out of print and only available second hand but I recommend it.
Beserk in the Antarctic David Mercey
This is the story of a fibreglass yacht sailing to Antarctica from the perspective of an crew member. The story is well balanced and comes with lots of humour and people watching as well as a degree of sailing. The authors description of both the adventurous Norwegian Skipper and the other reluctant crew member is a real page turner. Putting aside the challenge of the trip just try and image staying dry in a small yacht without the right clothing and equipment, some wouldn’t go out for a bay sail these guys sail to Antarctica!
Living Every Second Tracey Edwards
A female sailing heroine who skippered the first all woman crew to victory in the longest, toughest yacht race in the world. In a similar style to Dee Cafri’s book this is as much autobiography as pure sailing. Tracey tells the story from her early childhood through to what sounds like a tough teenage period spent in Wales. She then moves onto how she started out in sailing including her stints as a deckhand in the Med and the huge financial challenges she has faced trying to do something she clearly loves. Well written with great honesty and humour.
I won’t repeat my solo adventure list but but its worth a look and contains a number a fantastic adventures to inspire you.
Learn More
Families – sailing adventure books
Last Updated on Thursday, 12 January 2012 04:17 Written by Tuesday, 12 July 2011 10:08
- The Missing Centimetre
Not just a family adventure but the opening may well give you that inspiration you need to get yourself out there. Very well written and presented story of a family with two children taking a year out for an Atlantic Circuit. What makes this so appealing is they talk as much about their thinking and thought processes as much as narrating the sailing or locations.
2. Last Voyage of the Lucette
The updated version of “Survive the Savage Sea”, edited by the author’s son. Excellent read and if a Whale or such likes takes an interest in your yacht, you’ll be glad you read it.
3. A Family Outing in the Atlantic
Not your average middle class family on a gap year, nor you average destination list. An adventurous couple start off as two and become a family on route via a series of unique adventures. Excellent value for money. Check out their top draw website and blog to catch up with the family today.
4. Children of Cape Horn
Rosie Swale has had some adventures, most recently she walked around the world, solo. Although this book is from the seventies and no longer in print second hand copies are around on Amazon. Rosie tells the story of her partner and two very young children taking a small Catamaran around Cape Horn. If you haven’t read it, its great value for money and most certainly unique.
5. Atlantic Children: The True Story of a Family’s Year Afloat, Part 1 and 2.
6. Outrageous Grace
Bit of an odd title but that shouldn#t put you off. Now I have nothing against American writers (this is one) but this is actually very good. The story is as much about getting onto the water against huge personal challenges as it is about the sailing.