I read this many years ago, it is fantastic. The tale is very matter-of-fact, but interspersed with hard-hitting extremely personal bits. It's a great read.
The boat itself is an odd duck, a Pacific Seacraft double-ender, which was only built for a few years. Somewhat similar to the very popular Westsail 32. Many cruising sailors recommend the smallest boat that will do for you. A larger boat is more comfortable, sure, but expenses do not scale up geometrically in boats. A 60 foot boat is not twice as expensive as a 30 foot, it's more like 4 times more expensive.
Other commenters have noted other similar books (Tania Aebi, Joshua Slocum). The Pardeys, Lin and Larry, have many books on this lifestyle as well. All are very good.
I bought a 25ft boat. Wish I got a 17ft trailer sailer! I know I will want a bigger boat, but I seriously recommend going a small as possible, dinghy or dayboat, then a small trailer boat, then when you are sure you are going to cross oceans go bigger. Joshua Slocums Spray was only 36'9. Robin Knox-Johnsons Suhaily is only 32 foot! Both went round the world single handed, the second one non-stop and before freeze-dried food!
Single-handed sailing definitely limits your boat size. You have to be able to set and retrieve sails, anchors, etc., and you can't always depend on mechanical assist. Things break at the worst times.
Even couples and small families have to work within those limits somewhat, as during any long passage one person will be on watch, not two or three.
Comments
I read this many years ago, it is fantastic. The tale is very matter-of-fact, but interspersed with hard-hitting extremely personal bits. It's a great read.
The boat itself is an odd duck, a Pacific Seacraft double-ender, which was only built for a few years. Somewhat similar to the very popular Westsail 32. Many cruising sailors recommend the smallest boat that will do for you. A larger boat is more comfortable, sure, but expenses do not scale up geometrically in boats. A 60 foot boat is not twice as expensive as a 30 foot, it's more like 4 times more expensive.
Other commenters have noted other similar books (Tania Aebi, Joshua Slocum). The Pardeys, Lin and Larry, have many books on this lifestyle as well. All are very good.
I bought a 25ft boat. Wish I got a 17ft trailer sailer! I know I will want a bigger boat, but I seriously recommend going a small as possible, dinghy or dayboat, then a small trailer boat, then when you are sure you are going to cross oceans go bigger. Joshua Slocums Spray was only 36'9. Robin Knox-Johnsons Suhaily is only 32 foot! Both went round the world single handed, the second one non-stop and before freeze-dried food!
Single-handed sailing definitely limits your boat size. You have to be able to set and retrieve sails, anchors, etc., and you can't always depend on mechanical assist. Things break at the worst times.
Even couples and small families have to work within those limits somewhat, as during any long passage one person will be on watch, not two or three.