by Ben Pester (Author)
This charming account of the voyage of two men in a small boat half way round the world from Plymouth to New Zealand in 1953 is a rare insight into a time, not long ago, when sailors had no GPS, electronics, radio or any of the mod cons that we take for granted today. Without lifejacket or a liferaft, they 'just took what came along', hand steering all the way, navigating by sextant, hand-cranking their engine and using oil lamps for light at night and for navigation. Sailors will be staggered how primitive conditions were only a few decades ago, even though it was the norm at the time. Part travelogue and part adventure story, the two friends encountered drunken harbourmasters, the mafia, the legacy of slavery and lost civilisations in the Pacific. Beautifully written, vivid in its descriptions of the two men's exploits ashore and on board, this quirky and entertaining book will be a fascinating read for sailors and non-sailors alike. 'A compelling story - I feel like I have sailed with them.' Yachting Monthly
Format: Paperback
Pages: 176
Publisher: Adlard Coles Nautical
Published: 15 Sep 2010
ISBN 10: 1408128551
ISBN 13: 9781408128558
Book Overview: Entertaining, charming read with an entertaining storyline with highs, lows, tension and humour - sure to capture the reader's interest A glimpse into a bygone age, giving a real insight into how sailing used to be before all the mod cons that we take for granted Good read for sailors and non-sailors alike - plenty of general interest in their exploits ashore as well as aboard Foreword by Dick Durham of Yachting Monthly magazine