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Deep Water: A Sailor's Passage
Take an incredible journey along the Big Apple's historic waterfronts that few people have ever seen Gene is a successful woodworker in New York with two passions in his life. One is sailing, from the abandoned islands that dot Long Island Sound to the fathomless depths of the Caribbean. His other passion is Kevin—the young man who was his friend, sailing buddy, and lover. In all the sailing we did together over the years, I always knew I could rely upon him, trust him, know that the safety of the boat always came first, no matter what bitchy domestic stuff might be going on between us. By our second trip to Block Island in 1984, I realized how much I had grown to need him. Deep A Sailor's Passage is the compelling memoir of a modern-day gay sailor and his adventures with Kevin and many other friends. It delivers a true sense of the realities—both harsh and sublime—of life under sail, whether navigating through Hell Gate in the East River or through dense fog in Cape Cod. More importantly, this book illustrates the special bond between two men committed to one another as they sail together, live together, and care for each other through the best and worst of times. I look at Kevin's profile as he watches the road ahead, and I think how beautiful he is now at 34. He has filled out from the boy who moved into my life 11 years before. I have watched him become a man; I have seen him grow thicker and more confident. I look over at him once again. He is silhouetted by a headlight glare from the left and all his features are blanked out for an instant. Suddenly, I know, with a wisdom that I never asked to be given, that I shall outlive him. In Deep A Sailor's Passage, you'll find a unique voice—honest, direct, and filled with optimism. The author lived these events; he was involved in the building trades of New York City, handled rusty anchor chain in boat yards on City Island, and held his companion as he died. Through fond memories, good humor, and a touch of the supernatural, Gene learns how to continue with life after Kevin is gone, finding meaning, beauty, and strength through friends and new relationships. "This is ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORIES I HAVE EVER READ. Eugene Kahn allows us to share two achingly deep and profound passions—the love of wind filling sails, and of one man for another. And remarkably, almost as an afterthought, Kahn helps us make some sense of the inane horror of AIDS. I love this book." Laurie Garrett, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Coming Plague "In this memoir, Gene Kahn offers a fascinating study of small-boat sailing adventures in sight of Manhattan's domineering skyline. Staged around voyages taking place over a fifteen-year period between 1978 and 1993, the book is both a valuable collection of adventures on Long Island Sound, the East River, and New York Bay (with an occasional slice of Caribbean warmth for good measure), and a beautifully written love story. Deep Water should prove popular among the gay community as well as being a valuable resource for boaters in, or visiting, the waters off New York City." Anthony Dalton, Author of Wayward In Search of the Real Tristan Jones and Co-author of The Best of Nautical Quarterly, Vol 1, The Lure of Sail
242 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 11, 2010
Book Review: Deep Water, A Sailor’s Passage by E. M. Kahn
Reviewed by Alan Chin
Published by Harrington Park Press
242 pages
Gene lives and works in Manhattan, but he spends much of his free time sailing the waterways in and around that metropolis, from New York harbor, to Long Island Sound, to Martha’s Vineyard. He hires a woodworker, Kevin, to work in his shop, and the two soon become lovers. Kevin is a decade younger, a handsome blond, and emotionally needy. Gene considers himself lucky, and commits to this relationship wholeheartedly, even though Kevin likes to sleep around. They manage a fragile relationship.
Although Kevin does not share Gene’s love of sailing, he acquires a small skiff and learns the sport. As their relationship deepens, so does their love for the sea, and for adventure. Gene trades his nineteen-foot daysailer in on a twenty-two-foot boat so that they can take overnight trips. As the years roll by the boats get more seaworthy and the trips longer. Sailing solidifies their relationship. Their love for each other seems bound to their, now mutual, love of adventure on the water.
This sensitive journey through the comedy and tragedy of life is beautifully written. Simply put, I loved this book. I love any story that opens my heart, makes me believe in humanity, and teaches me how to be a more compassionate human being, and this tale scored a bulls eye on all counts.
It a tale of two loves – love of the sea, love between two men – and both were delightfully intertwined. This is one of those rare books with the wisdom to shed light on my own sixteen-year relationship.
Unlike most books I’ve read that deal with the loss of a loved one to AIDS, this story did not dip too heavily into the pain, frustration and suffering. That part of the story was mercifully brief. This is a love story, a story of survival, and how Gene’s love of the sea play a part in both.
Here’s a taste:
“I felt I had a lot to teach him, not about sex, but about feeling entitled to love, learning to expect it as a regular thing, like the sun and rain, every day. I suspected that he operated from a belief in scarcity, whether of money, good fortune, or love. Loving was like breathing and peeing and it flowed through us like the tides, with its source unstoppable and ever renewed.”
There is another line in this marvelous book that reads “Long live the voices of those who plead for mercy.” Well, I’d like to add, long live the writer who can so masterfully weave a tale of love. Thank you, Mr. Kahn, for sharing your life.
Reviewed by Alan Chin
Published by Harrington Park Press
242 pages
Gene lives and works in Manhattan, but he spends much of his free time sailing the waterways in and around that metropolis, from New York harbor, to Long Island Sound, to Martha’s Vineyard. He hires a woodworker, Kevin, to work in his shop, and the two soon become lovers. Kevin is a decade younger, a handsome blond, and emotionally needy. Gene considers himself lucky, and commits to this relationship wholeheartedly, even though Kevin likes to sleep around. They manage a fragile relationship.
Although Kevin does not share Gene’s love of sailing, he acquires a small skiff and learns the sport. As their relationship deepens, so does their love for the sea, and for adventure. Gene trades his nineteen-foot daysailer in on a twenty-two-foot boat so that they can take overnight trips. As the years roll by the boats get more seaworthy and the trips longer. Sailing solidifies their relationship. Their love for each other seems bound to their, now mutual, love of adventure on the water.
This sensitive journey through the comedy and tragedy of life is beautifully written. Simply put, I loved this book. I love any story that opens my heart, makes me believe in humanity, and teaches me how to be a more compassionate human being, and this tale scored a bulls eye on all counts.
It a tale of two loves – love of the sea, love between two men – and both were delightfully intertwined. This is one of those rare books with the wisdom to shed light on my own sixteen-year relationship.
Unlike most books I’ve read that deal with the loss of a loved one to AIDS, this story did not dip too heavily into the pain, frustration and suffering. That part of the story was mercifully brief. This is a love story, a story of survival, and how Gene’s love of the sea play a part in both.
Here’s a taste:
“I felt I had a lot to teach him, not about sex, but about feeling entitled to love, learning to expect it as a regular thing, like the sun and rain, every day. I suspected that he operated from a belief in scarcity, whether of money, good fortune, or love. Loving was like breathing and peeing and it flowed through us like the tides, with its source unstoppable and ever renewed.”
There is another line in this marvelous book that reads “Long live the voices of those who plead for mercy.” Well, I’d like to add, long live the writer who can so masterfully weave a tale of love. Thank you, Mr. Kahn, for sharing your life.
March 13, 2018
This is a beautifully written story about love for sailing and love for another person. Loss figures prominently but acceptance is there too.
November 2, 2011
Loving this book so far.
June 16, 2013
This book was pretty good.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews