Thicker Than Ice: A Sailing Family Finds Their Place at the Edge

by John A Pennington, Kara P Pennington (editor), Jade O Couturier (editor)

A true story of poor judgment and questionable parenting, but also of friendship and adventure.

A cubicle-dwelling nine-to-fiver hatches a secret plan to buy an old Dutch sailboat, fix her up, and return to the Pacific via the Northwest Passage. His wife hopes for a family. Somehow, both dreams are set in motion–simultaneously. Undeterred, they pack a single suitcase, their six pound newborn, and board a flight to the Netherlands.

The boat is a slowly-sinking national treasure, her engine a museum piece. If all goes according to plan, they’ll be ready to cross the Atlantic by autumn. But nothing ever does, not with a new baby on an intractable old boat like Sentijn.

Hard choices will have to be made if they want to see home waters again. But, it’s not until their darkest hour–deep in the Arctic–when they finally realize the truth.

They’ve been home all along.

302 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2024

Reviews

[Becky Lyth]

An absolutely amazing book. So sad it is finished, I really hope another one is being written. I am so invested in this families life now!

[Janis Couvreux]

In the wake of his enthralling first book, (that I rated five stars) “Orca,” that John Pennington recounts with humor his and his girlfriend’s introduction to sailing and eventual circumnavigation, his second book, the perfectly titled “Thicker Than Ice,” is simply a heart-pounding page turner.

John, his wife Kara, and their very young son, Dean, not only attempt, but successfully accomplish, sailing the infamous Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific through the bitter Arctic north, amidst unfathomable weather and climate conditions onboard their sailing vessel Sentijn. Not only is this family gutsy and extraordinary, but John has a talent for recounting the experience on paper with emotional and literary dexterity and depth, well sprinkled with an overall dose of humor.

Myself, once upon a time a sailor, I can appreciate many of the hardships and hard-fought battles they overcame at sea and living such a spartan life, but this “adventure” is nothing like what I have done, nor will ever do. Not only is it inspiring, but one wonders how John can so deftly recall and write down the details of so many daily astounding and terrifying experiences with such emotional clarity that mesmerizes the reader.

With the caveat that there is a lot of sailing jargon in the book, (even some I am not familiar with), I don’t think those detailed paragraphs necessarily distract the reader from understanding the urgency and fear often elicited in many of the situations.

If you want to be taken away to a land and story so and unique rarely experienced, “Thicker Than Ice” will take you along with Sentijn, and you’ll leave applauding this intrepid family and their fabulously written account.

[Mrs Olga A Danes-Volkov]

A very good read

I have to say I started this book entirely infuriated me. I thought the author with his total disregard for his baby, willfully endangering him sounded a complete pr**k. However, the tale drew me in, with the restoration of Sentijn and the growing of Dean, their initially tiny, frail son. Several things in the early part of the book grated on me with their inaccuracies but as it went on became more and more fascinating. The challenge of the
North West Passage of course was terrifying. At the end I was so wrong about their child rearing. Dean was obviously a bright, self reliant child. Well done them.

[Susan L Adams]

I just loved this book and simply did not want it to end. This is an incredible story of a family braving the harshest of elements, with skill and determination combined with fear and frustration. An amazing education for their growing child, initially socially isolated but forming a strong bond with crews of other boats by chance encounters. I felt as though I were sailing myself in the Arctic as I read and learned about the hostile almost impassable north west passage. Beautifully written and compulsive reading.

[Philip C. Carlson]

What was he thinking

A family goes to Europe to pick up a boat they have only seen in pictures and had bought. They sail for six years from Europe to the Caribbean after gutting the ship and refurbishing it. Did I mention they did this with a newborn baby! From there they then sail to Greenland through the Northwest Passage to Alaska. What could go wrong? Plenty. Lots of sailing terms as you would expect, but my Kindle came to the rescue. The book is interesting,timely amusing, and make you amazed that his wife was so understanding.

[Richard P. Leach]

Great frozen adventure

What a great book. I read a number of sailing adventure books and think "that may be fun". Not this one if you want to read a book that will make you cold as you sit on the beach at 100 degrees. This it it. I loved the authors ability to describe the events with humor, realism, and horror. The book should appeal to sailors and non-sailers. You name the weather Sentijn was there.

[Kyla Schneyder]

A True Adventure

Now I need to read Orca. I traveled with them from the comfort of my RV as they traveled by Sail board through the Northwest Passage! There’s an immense amount of technical jargon but it’s the human side of the story, that I enjoyed most! An incredible Family bonded in unique ways that most people would never understand!

[jimme dale tilley]

Sailors MUST read

I loved this book! Was almost exhausted before I finished this amazing and thrilling book. Pennington invites you on his family trip and you will feel like you were there throughout the entire ride of a lifetime. Any beach, water or ocean lover, this is a must read.

[David Sinclair]

Loved the book!

L great book could not put it down! Will !ove to read all of your sailing books. I wish I could bring up Dean's pictures but I'm an 85 year old computer illiterate called' US Army retired sailor! Thanks

[Kenneth P.]

Could not put it down

But i made myself because I wanted this great book to last. Incredibly entertaining and fast moving. Such a great storyteller and what an amazing adventure!!!

[James Oarker]

Another great read

This second book is as good as the first and triggers many emotions. I have enjoyed them both immensely. My wife and I start our 4 year sailing adventure next spring and your story has already given us resolve to get going asap

[Darlene Brown]

An engaging tale...

A epic voyage that at times is funny and scary but always entertaing. Almost a textbook on how to prepare for the unknown and be ready for anything that can happen while sailing.

[Tammy Baker]

If you find sailing interesting you will enjoy this book. However, it is also a tale of family life aboard a boat with an infant. I don’t want to give anything away but I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend.

[Ray Savarda]

I really enjoy Johns writings; humorous, readable. Go along for an adventure sailing though the Arctic with the family, now including a young son.
I stopped reading this part way thru to save it for my travel vacation to France - I found I read his books without wanting to stop.

[Michael Stockbridge]

Great story, unbelievable adventure. Nick if you like sailing couples you have got to read this. There is a short YouTube video as a companion if you haven’t seen it, check it out. Sentijn sailing. Enjoy.

[Nigel]

fantastic read

I really enjoyed this book. The author is very witty and the story is very well put together. I hope to find more books from this author and the stories of their family.

[Steven L Kohler]

great read

What a great story and very well written. I had a hard time putting this down. This book was a great reminder that there are some incredibly adventurous families out there living their dreams.

[Ric Frawley]

This is a very good read, one I thoroughly enjoyed. The author has a different sense of humour and seriously understates their sailing abilities. It pleases me to know that there ar still adventurers in our world.

[Jillian Greenawalt]

A fantastic read

John's storytelling is great in this tale- from buying Sentijn to navigating ice and gales in the Arctic. I loved every chapter.

[Candy Masters]

I am a big fan of sailing stories and have read hundreds in my life. John's careful storytelling gives nothing away before its moment. I really enjoyed having the three points of view and his self deprecating way of keeping the story at a human level.
Even people who aren't cruisers will enjoy this read. I hope to meet little Dean one day and let some of his inate wisdom rub off on me! Sail on Quaddy!

[Sam Devlin]

northwest passage with young crew

Wonderful tale of a east- west crossing of the northwest passage and how it came to be. Brave and true to their goals.

[John Heny]

Great Book!

The writing is easy and free flowing, also like being one of the crew. I recommend this book highly to everyone !

[Jeffrey Renkenberger]

Good sailing book

Great book for us land rubbers who only dream of sailing around the world and are too cowardly or too old.

[Becky Stilley]

Not just a sailing book.

Great book if you like and appreciate a true adventure.
As a sailor I have to respect and admire what this family did.

[Robert Aspinwall]

Hilariously written adventure

Amazing read. An adventure of epic proportion exceedingly well written. A true test of family and friends on the high seas

[steve baron]

Great book

A heart warming family adventure. I could not stop reading. The sailing Adventure that I wish I could take, but I am too old, but not too old to enjoy this great read.

[Bruce C. Werner]

Great Sailing Adventure

Fast paced, multi faced story with danger, excitement and joy of conquering an amazing sailing feat. Hard to put down

[Erica Benson]

Absolute legends

[Robert Reeve]

Loved it!

John is a great storyteller with a wonderful sense of humor. I would’ve loved this book even if I wasn’t a sailor myself. Well done!

[Mark]

enjoyable read

I liked this read. It was real and about people doing what was right for them. It was also about adventure.