What do you think?
Rate this book
500 Days: Around the World on a 12 Foot Yacht
Alone aboard "Acrohc", the tiny yacht he designed and built, Serge Testa sailed around the world and into the Guinness Book of Records. Exotic landfalls, cyclones, encounters with whales and a nearly fatal fire at sea make this a gripping story. Told with understatement and humor, this account of a unique voyage of discovery and endurance appeals to the adventurer in all of us.
- GenresAdventure
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2009
45 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 21, 2018
Non-fiction about the solo-circumnavigation of the smallest ship to ever to sail around the world
June 17, 2023
I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/concept-23-c...
https://numberoneboats.com/concept-23...
https://theboatyacht.com/baja-38-spec...
https://numberoneboats.com/baja-38-sp...
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.
The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.
For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...
Top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
As we read, we need to remember the different characters and settings of a particular story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you need to remember the details during the time you devote to reading the book. Therefore, reading is an exercise for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading Is a (free) Form of Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV series and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading? Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and Focus
We all agree that there can be no reading without focus, and we need to concentrate on every page we read to fully understand the story. In a world where gadgets only speed up and shorten our attention span, we must constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, so it improves your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you come across a word you don't know? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary will improve as well as your ability to communicate effectively. Also, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it's time to sleep. Now more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. That's why you put your phone away and pick up a book and tell your brain it's time to calm down. Also, since reading helps you relieve stress, reading right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve your sleep quality.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always full of fun and interesting facts. Whether we read fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to provide us with information we might not otherwise know. Reading various topics can make you a more knowledgeable person and therefore improve your speaking skills.
7. Reading Is Motivating
By reading books about heroes overcoming adversity, we are often encouraged to do the same. Whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book, the right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive.
https://numberoneboats.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/
https://theboatyacht.com/concept-23-c...
https://numberoneboats.com/concept-23...
https://theboatyacht.com/baja-38-spec...
https://numberoneboats.com/baja-38-sp...
Read
November 4, 2018Amorous fellow with nicotine habit who loves beer sails around the world.
And he does it in a 12 foot boat, which was some kind of record at the time.
I've read a number of books by those who have sailed around the world. The best are written in a style that leaves the reader feeling as though they were along on the voyage too. Others are pages and pages of, "We sailed to this island and the people were nice and we had a good time." This book falls in the middle somewhere. To begin, the writer just seems to build a boat and sails away. There was very little background presented to inform the reader of the author's knowledge or expertise in the field. Along the way, the author does share with the reader some background about himself, but I'm still wondering what he was thinking (12 feet is very small!). There are many more things i wonder about that are still unanswered, but this is a 30 year old story. Bottom line: i would not buy a book written by someone who is setting out to break a record. They are always in too big a hurry to keep the press on.
And he does it in a 12 foot boat, which was some kind of record at the time.
I've read a number of books by those who have sailed around the world. The best are written in a style that leaves the reader feeling as though they were along on the voyage too. Others are pages and pages of, "We sailed to this island and the people were nice and we had a good time." This book falls in the middle somewhere. To begin, the writer just seems to build a boat and sails away. There was very little background presented to inform the reader of the author's knowledge or expertise in the field. Along the way, the author does share with the reader some background about himself, but I'm still wondering what he was thinking (12 feet is very small!). There are many more things i wonder about that are still unanswered, but this is a 30 year old story. Bottom line: i would not buy a book written by someone who is setting out to break a record. They are always in too big a hurry to keep the press on.
June 25, 2018
Rollicking read that is thoroughly enjoyable
Thoroughly absorbing and transportive (no pun intended) tale from a humble, non excitable story teller. A great seafaring adventure that made me want to get out on the water.
Highly recommended for anyone stuck behind a desk.
Thoroughly absorbing and transportive (no pun intended) tale from a humble, non excitable story teller. A great seafaring adventure that made me want to get out on the water.
Highly recommended for anyone stuck behind a desk.
May 13, 2025
An easy read. The author is not much of a storyteller and it reads more like a list of things he did than anything (ie I went here, I saw this, the boat did that, etc). But I’m a big fan of nonfiction adventure/exploration so it held my attention to the end.
November 12, 2022
What an accomplishment it took him 3 years. It was very interesting to learn about all the countries he visited and the problems he had along the way. Well done, Serge.
October 23, 2023
Interesting read
Short on some detail that would make the story more intriguing, but otherwise a good yarn that is easybto read and follow.
Short on some detail that would make the story more intriguing, but otherwise a good yarn that is easybto read and follow.
December 10, 2025
Easy read/listen (got it on Audible). Lots of adventure and learning by doing.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews