The Voyage of the Cormorant

by Christian Beamish, Ken Perkins (Illustrator)

Christian Beamish, a former editor at The Surfer’s Journal, envisioned a low-tech, self-reliant exploration for surf along the coast of North America, using primarily clothes and instruments available to his ancestors, and the 18-foot boat he would build by hand in his garage. How the vision met reality – and how the two came to shape each other – places Voyage of the Cormorant in the great American tradition of tales of life at sea, and what it has to teach us.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure

324 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2012

Reviews

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved hearing about Christian's adventures getting in touch with his connection to nature and his inner self. This book has all the romance of classic adventure tales, but it is contemporary. The result is that you want to follow your dreams. A great book for those who enjoyed Wild.

[Ethan Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Voyage of The Cormorant doesn’t depict a grand adventure, but rather a somewhat monotonous journey of isolation, self reflection, connection, and yes, surfing. Beamish beautifully portrays the flow of surfing remote, crystal waters, traversing untouched seascapes and landscapes, and the innate kindness of humanity.

[David Lor · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not that, in the end, The Voyage of the Cormorant didn't have a deeper meaning or story. Because it did. I think where it fell short is how long it took to get to the meat of Beamish's story.

For a long while you're reading about the mizzen, the main, and the efforts to get ashore. It borders on repetitive. I understand that it's a huge theme of his journey--the neverending tedium of getting from place to place on a 27-foot boat--but while he reinforced the tedium he missed opportunities for something a little deeper.

About 70% of the way through the book though, when he makes the push to Isla Cedros, it redeems itself. Does he push on? Does he have the necessary supplies? Is he getting too comfortable back in civilization? Are his thoughts on 'the ideal' now gone? These are the questions that needed probing.

Like I said, it ends the way I expect such an expedition to end, I just didn't expect it to take quite so long. Then again, neither did Beamish, I suppose.

[Gregory Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Beamish is not only a surfer and sailor, but a fantastic writer. His memoir of cruising the southern coast of California and Baja in an open boat is an inspiring adventure. As a surfer/sailor myself, I've read quite a few works in this genre and am pleased to say that SURFERS CAN WRITE.

The Voyage of the Cormorant is so much more than a sailing adventure or surf safari. Beamish introduces his readers to the subtlety of getting along in the mis-understood settlements of the Baja coast. We meet generous fisherman who share their catch and village families willing to take in and feed a stranger. The best part of these written vignettes is the discovery that human kindness exists in the most unexpected places.

Whether you are a surfer, sailor, reader, or adventurer, you'll want to read Voyage of the Cormorant. It belongs on the shelf next to works by Kem Nunn, Tim Winton, William Finnegan, and Daniel Duane, just to name a few other surfers who can really write.

[Patrick Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully-written account of an inner and an outer journey. Christian Beamish built a small boat, and sailed and rowed it down the coast of Mexico, meeting wonderful people, challenging weather, and good surf.

[Chase Parnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a slog. Wasn't a quick read for me. Enjoyed the sailing/surfing/travel/adventure bits but was kind of repetitive. Needed to go deeper into the story of the man.

[Steve Matthews · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a journal than a well edited story. High respect for the courage of the author, but the story telling dragged.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because it looked like a fun adventure story and was recommended by an author I have enjoyed (Daniel Duane). The adventure was real but I enjoyed two aspects even more. First, Beamish skillfully describes his own existential crisis that concludes, like most, with the recognition that life lived with loved ones is about as good as it gets. Second, his interactions with the (mostly) Mexicans he encounters were lovely; diverse as one would expect but with an overarching kindness and generosity.

[Kiki Kormos · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a boater and surfer, this book HIT! It was so inspiring to absorb the experiences of someone making it happen on a boat half the size of mine. Being based in the same areas may bias my excitement a bit.

But one thing is for sure, his adventure was certainly one that needed to be written and begs to be read. His writing style is very matter of fact, which allows the reader to immerse themselves in the desolate desert waters of Baja and in his isolation. A must read for water people and adventure enthusiasts.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable book to read. Beamish’s surf writing in The Journal has always been something that I’ve liked and I thought his style transferred well to a full length book. Ending felt a little anticlimactic but I like that he didn’t shy away from the reality that comes with sailing a lifeboat down the coast of Baja. Great adventure book.

[Christoph Von · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baja nostalgia

Reminded me fondly of travel south of the border. Beautifully written, and the most accurate depiction of the interesting and nuanced relationships one forms while traveling in this way that I’ve ever read.

[Matthew J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d consider this a must read for anyone who longs for adventure but is quite sure why, or what it could/should look like. A lot in here, is a collection of the words I’ve been searching for in my own pursuits and Christian did a wonderful work in putting it out into the universe

[Leo W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a sailing than a surfing tale, but what an audacious trip.

[Taylor Douthit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little bits of magic from the natural world.

[R A Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

cracker loved it.

cracker loved it.

cracker loved it.

cracker loved it.

cracker loved it.
C r a c k E r !

[Brian Perkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

This seemed a story of a early-to-mid life crisis with the outlet being the sea. It unfortunately did not resonate with me, as I found it to be very slow, full of sailing terms I didn't know, and generally pointless. For me, this book could have been a 1000 word surf or sail magazine article.

[Tuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written 1st book by a surfer, surf magazine journalist, board maker, and now boat maker.
he makes an 18 foot Scandinavian style open sail boat (Shackleton and his crew escaped certain death in one) and puts his 2 surf boards in and heads to baja. author tries and succeeds mostly in immersing himself in natural world, no mobis, laptops, or any of the mash/hum/hustle/bustle of built-up world. he does this to try and concentrate on self, nature, writing (and not dying in his little tiny sailboat busting it southbound along wild mexican coast). meets lots of generous and empathetic folks along the way who help him out.
i read this mostly because it is published by patagonia, and am curious to see their book products. so far, very good maps, writing/editing, illustrations and topics.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read, shows the need to find spiritual self yet also need for human contact

[Brendon Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure story, with lots of really relatable scenarios. By the end, it's hard to imagine packing that much adventure into such a short time, so close to home. Gave a few copies to friends.

[Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

"I was too enraged to die" (pp. 226).

[Rod · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it, love surfing, love sailing, love adventure

[Bobby Johansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps not the best written book, but definitely a fascinating and inspiring read with quite a bit of crazy.