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First Voyage: A Circumnavigation in the 1970s
Forty years ago, Bruce and Liz MacDonald along with their young son, Jeff, set off in a 31-foot boat on what would become a three-year circumnavigation of the world. The idea for the voyage was born in 1971 when they had no jobs, very little money, and had never even sailed. Against all reason, they laid out a five-year plan that would, they hoped, put them in a position to make their dream a reality. Incredibly, it all worked out almost exactly as they'd scripted it.
It wasn't simple though. Circumstances allowed them only a few months to find a boat and prepare it for the voyage, and although the boat they found was essentially seaworthy, much of the gear that came with it was not. A harrowing first offshore passage nearly scuttled the whole enterprise.
No mere travelogue or sanitized logbook, the book—mostly written during the voyage—chronicles their frustrations and uncertainties as they deal with the inevitable problems involved in preparing the boat; it also gives a surprisingly candid and realistic look at what it's like at sea in a small boat with a small crew, as they confront their fears and doubts and struggle to adapt to life in an incredibly demanding environment. For them, the experience is as much a mental trip as a physical journey, an aspect of voyaging that's seldom explored in any depth in published accounts.
The personal struggle is central, but MacDonald also offers insightful—and sometimes humorous—glimpses into the cultures and societies they visit, many of which at that time were teetering on the edge of the modern world. From an impromptu evening of Polynesian dancing in the Marquesas, to drinking yangona with the firewalkers in Fiji, to speaking Pidgin with villagers in the New Hebrides, to the hectic confusion of Indonesia in places like Kupang and Bali, to South Africa before the end of apartheid, it offers glimpses of a passing world.
Follow along as they gradually pull the boat and themselves together and bring the voyage to a successful conclusion. It was 40 years ago, but it's still a heck of an adventure.
It wasn't simple though. Circumstances allowed them only a few months to find a boat and prepare it for the voyage, and although the boat they found was essentially seaworthy, much of the gear that came with it was not. A harrowing first offshore passage nearly scuttled the whole enterprise.
No mere travelogue or sanitized logbook, the book—mostly written during the voyage—chronicles their frustrations and uncertainties as they deal with the inevitable problems involved in preparing the boat; it also gives a surprisingly candid and realistic look at what it's like at sea in a small boat with a small crew, as they confront their fears and doubts and struggle to adapt to life in an incredibly demanding environment. For them, the experience is as much a mental trip as a physical journey, an aspect of voyaging that's seldom explored in any depth in published accounts.
The personal struggle is central, but MacDonald also offers insightful—and sometimes humorous—glimpses into the cultures and societies they visit, many of which at that time were teetering on the edge of the modern world. From an impromptu evening of Polynesian dancing in the Marquesas, to drinking yangona with the firewalkers in Fiji, to speaking Pidgin with villagers in the New Hebrides, to the hectic confusion of Indonesia in places like Kupang and Bali, to South Africa before the end of apartheid, it offers glimpses of a passing world.
Follow along as they gradually pull the boat and themselves together and bring the voyage to a successful conclusion. It was 40 years ago, but it's still a heck of an adventure.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 10, 2023
An Evocative Tale/Round the world sailing
A concise evocative tale of one families experience sailing around the world before GPS, satellite phones etc. I immensely enjoyed reading Bruce and Liz’s individual accounts of their shared experience. This is not a glamorized version of open ocean sailing…..I felt like I was on the vessel with them, budgeting challenges, becalmed one day, equipment failure the next or on the beam with following seas, all the experiences of sailing. A refreshingly honest perspective. Ttechnology may change, but the visceral experience of personal challenge remains the same.
A concise evocative tale of one families experience sailing around the world before GPS, satellite phones etc. I immensely enjoyed reading Bruce and Liz’s individual accounts of their shared experience. This is not a glamorized version of open ocean sailing…..I felt like I was on the vessel with them, budgeting challenges, becalmed one day, equipment failure the next or on the beam with following seas, all the experiences of sailing. A refreshingly honest perspective. Ttechnology may change, but the visceral experience of personal challenge remains the same.
September 11, 2024
Most recent read of many sailing adventures, and this one flows better than many. Great nostalgic read taking us back to the days before GPS and satellite wifi when sailing on a circumnavigation was grand adventure and doing so as a family was the edge of insanity. Great read if you are a sailing story escapist, and even if you just crave a journey of fancy, this one reads quickly and takes you places you're likely to enjoy.
September 3, 2019
Great read
Great read I liked that it provides a real feeling to how an around the world trip would truly be. At the same time it makes me rethink about if this is something I really want to do. I am ready to read the second book. This is a great read
for anyone that would like to take an escape for a few hour or has plans to sail long distances.
Great read I liked that it provides a real feeling to how an around the world trip would truly be. At the same time it makes me rethink about if this is something I really want to do. I am ready to read the second book. This is a great read
for anyone that would like to take an escape for a few hour or has plans to sail long distances.
August 3, 2018
Great account of classic voyage
Maybe it’s my age (66)or the fact that I sail an Albert 35 built in 1965 but I found this account of a circumnavigation before electronics fascinating. I admire the family’s courage in talking about the good and bad emotional dynamics.
Maybe it’s my age (66)or the fact that I sail an Albert 35 built in 1965 but I found this account of a circumnavigation before electronics fascinating. I admire the family’s courage in talking about the good and bad emotional dynamics.
July 25, 2020
Not The Usual Fun in the Sun
I thought the author did a good job of documenting the mental aspects of long distance cruising. I'm not a circumnavigator, but I am a bit of a worrier like the author so I could relate.
I thought the author did a good job of documenting the mental aspects of long distance cruising. I'm not a circumnavigator, but I am a bit of a worrier like the author so I could relate.
March 23, 2021
Realistic reading
Hard to believe that this family would sail
Without much experience and without their boat being in great condition. They were brave and persistent and accomplished their goals
Hard to believe that this family would sail
Without much experience and without their boat being in great condition. They were brave and persistent and accomplished their goals
September 19, 2021
Wonderful and In-depth detail
A great honest account of sailing around the world. Enjoyed the diary passages for the in the moment accounting of the passage. Can't wait to read the follow up book
A great honest account of sailing around the world. Enjoyed the diary passages for the in the moment accounting of the passage. Can't wait to read the follow up book
November 11, 2021
Good read
This book details the positives and the negatives of traveling so far in such a small space. I loved the author's honesty in describing the psychological difficulties that he experienced.
This book details the positives and the negatives of traveling so far in such a small space. I loved the author's honesty in describing the psychological difficulties that he experienced.
August 2, 2024
Life long dream
I am 84 years old and have been reading sailing adventures since I was 40. I ha e creamed of single handed voyages across the Atlantic. Your account of your trip was a joy to read Thanks
I am 84 years old and have been reading sailing adventures since I was 40. I ha e creamed of single handed voyages across the Atlantic. Your account of your trip was a joy to read Thanks
January 15, 2026
good book, enjoyed it a lot.
Enjoyed reading about this circumnavigation adventure; the lack of modern conveniences and equipment is ever present while the reader writes along on their journey.
Enjoyed reading about this circumnavigation adventure; the lack of modern conveniences and equipment is ever present while the reader writes along on their journey.
December 2, 2021
Bom livro
Bom livro. Muito bem escrito. Da uma boa idéia do que seja a vida no mar.
Com certeza vale a leitura
Bom livro. Muito bem escrito. Da uma boa idéia do que seja a vida no mar.
Com certeza vale a leitura
January 12, 2022
True See
Excellent writing. Honest narrative of blue water sailing. Anyone thinking of open water long distance sailing should read this book.
Excellent writing. Honest narrative of blue water sailing. Anyone thinking of open water long distance sailing should read this book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews