Quest and Crew

Quest and Crew #1

by David Beaupre

How many people have dreamed about sailing away and leaving it all behind? Here’s how it happened. ‘Quest and Crew’ is the first book of a four book series. It begins twenty-four hours before a Category 5 hurricane devastates the south shore of Grenada. It’s a story about the many twists and turns that life can take. The sailboat Quest begins her new life with a full retrofit in North Carolina, followed by Quest’s launch in North Florida two years later. The job of becoming real sailors begins in North Palm Beach. On a clear starry night, we left South Florida on a hope enveloped by a dream. Finding ourselves only at the beginning of a new adventure, we set sail and anchored one island at a time through the Bahamas. The Caribbean is a few books away. Here is a glimpse into the powerful attraction of sailboats and sapphire water. ‘Quest and Crew’ is all about the joy of success as well as what it takes to overcome the occasional disaster. From beginning to end, the book is about transforming a rookie crew and beautiful old boat into a sailing adventure. Come for the hurricane, stay for the story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Adventure, Biography Memoir

248 pages, Unknown Binding

First published April 1, 2014

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course this is one of my favorite books. My husband is the author and I am half the crew. But the book has everything I want when I'm looking for a good read. A true-life adventure is always better than fiction especially when written by someone who cares very much about 'the word'. Overcoming challenges to seek your dream, exploring new places and cultures, learning new skills - isn't that what life is about? We have read many nautical adventures and memoirs and I challenge you to find one better. I think this book will appeal to boaters, dreamers, adventurers, and armchair sailors young and old, from Canada to Florida and beyond.

2025 Update: For those of you who have asked on our Web site, Quest has been sailing the beautiful waters of British Columbia and Washington state for the last decade and her original crew has been living on a farm in south central Tennessee on our little land-locked island.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should have been an interesting book, especially I since live in north Florida and was aware of the areas he wrote about. I have seen 1,000 page books whether nonfiction or fiction more interesting than this 224 page book. It was like reading a journal with minimal amount of life. Like sailing this author needs to learn to tell a story not a date repetition of his journal that went on. There could have been some interesting characters, they seem to have been lost in time? space? water? Read if you are minimally interested in sailing otherwise, there are far more interesting books out there.

[JoAnn Plante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book about sailing. It's part informational part travel guide. I enjoy reading about the couple's adventures and in particular their choices on where to go and how to get there. Apparently, they gave this lifestyle a lot of thought and put a lot of time and money into their boat. This book talks about anchoring and how and where to do it. This was quite interesting for me. I thought you just pulled up and docked at a buoy. I didn't realize there was a whole method to this. That's one of the things I liked about this book. It wasn't just a boring account of what they did. Instead, it describes the way things are done at every port, which is quite interesting. It also talks about passport stamps and the need or not for them to get stamped. I'm going on to read the whole series of books. I find the stories funny, realistic, suspenseful at times, and just so enjoyable.

[Darrell Lingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice change from watching YouTubers cast off to the tropics.

This is a good read for any sailor. It’s a break from the how to maintenance and navigation materials that dominate sailing literature. David and Wendy’s story has an informative and unique approach to the learning curve, boat refit, and lifestyle adaptations necessary to be “live aboard.” You will be intrigued by some of the historical inclusions that are connected to the destinations. My favorite part of this book though is the people. David paints a near sociological description of the diverse characters they meet along the way.

[Suzanne Pixley · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to move a dream of sailing into real life

There's nothing like reading about a couple who decide to experience off shore sailing from the US down to the southern Caribbean before they have a boat or know a thing about sailing. Their well documented experiences in this book provide some interesting facts and solutions that can act as guides to others who share the same dreams. Humorous in parts but supports the fact that where there's a will, there's a way. Book is first of several in a series.

[Robin Thistle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting for a beginner.

Thought it was a confidence booster. It proves anyone can start sailing and learn as they go. Was disappointed that it only covered their travels in the Bahamas once they left the US.

[Paul Kethley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining account of two people moving from the "normal" American life to their dream life of a sailing full time. The interesting twist here is that neither of them have ever sailed before.

A great read with interesting lessons and observations.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Everything you never wanted to know about refitting a sail boat. Kept waiting for some sense of a meaningful story but decided to abandon ship.

[Terry Crissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never left home

I enjoyed sailing the the Bahamas without leaving home. Well written descriptions of events without too much personal drama. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, informative.

I would describe it as a reclusive couple's guide to sailing the most social seas. And to starting sailing from scratch

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. Entertaining. Initially I enjoyed the author's humor, eventually got tired of his jokes.

[Sam Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

A good start to a big adventure. The sea is an amazing part of our earth. You just never know what she will throw at you today. Be ready.
Rock on!

[Amy Fairchild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good read

I don't give books on Amazon 5 stars. That's reserved for something destined to become a classic. But in the genre of sailing non-fiction, i.e. people telling how they became cruisers, this is one of the best I've read. He does a great job of telling vignettes instead of droning on, chapter after chapter,with details. He gives enough detail to let us know what he went through, but wraps it in a decent story. I definitely recommend this, whether you're interested in the genre or just want a good read. I'll be reading his next book.

[Roger S Bock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ramblings of Newbe Sailing Couple

This an interesting tale of a couple that pursued their sailing dream on a bare bones budget and made it work.