Innocents at Sea: The Sailing Misadventures of Two at Sea

by James A. McCracken

Betty and Jim McCracken barely knew east from west when they first went to sea. This is their tale, a lighthearted story of two wonderfully warm and fallible people who ran aground in the Annisquam Canal, feasted on lobsters bought from a passing lobsterman, and careened through many an adventure, much to the amusement of local residents.

270 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Waven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what the title and blurb promises, light-hearted voyages full of small misadventures and a good deal of fun, sprinkled lightly with interesting tidbits and surprising poignancy. Jim and Betty McCracken began sailing during a summer spent in a cottage on the edge of Maine's Casco Bay, where an associate advocated the sport to an increasingly interested Jim and a less enthusiastic Betty who "displayed her keen interest in all this by discussing children, menus, and dress shops" with their associate's wife. After capsizing on their first outing, Jim decides they will learn to sail or die trying ... and they come uncomfortably close a few times. "Innocents that we were, when we joined the Orienta Yacht Club in Mamaroneck, we not only did not know how to buy a boat or sail one, we couldn't even speak the language," he recalls early on. There are close calls, bouts of seasickness, embarrassing ignorance, quiet trips across Long Island Sound, and a good deal of humor... But mostly it is the story of a couple who learn to love canvas and sea, and who sometimes re-learn each other along the way. This is a great light read for anyone, a beautiful story about life and love and experience, drawing pictures of a costal world slipping away.
Edit:
I re-read this in May 2010 and enjoyed it more the second time around than the first. I upped my rating to 5 stars for this fantastic little book and added it to my favorites shelf. And don't let its age fool you, the lessons learned in its pages are as true today as when it first hit print.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this memoir! Really a love story of s couple discovering a love of sailing in their retirement, and all that can go wrong but still inspire them to continue. Loved reading of all my favorite beaches and coves from Long Island sound to Maine; from the view point of the water!

[Elizabeth Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book especially IF you enjoy sailing and have owned your own boat and IF you have sailed the waters of the northeast US. These two novices invest much and and energy into "fun" vacations learning the art of sailing as they go (and really, is there any other way?) and have some downs, ups, and several quite scary adventures.
This book was first published in 1976 and then republished a few years later.
It was fun to see the difference in the waters they experienced and what the water experiences would be now.
If you sail off the coast of northeast US, you would definitely enjoy this book.
I feel fortunate to have picked this off a "discard" table at my library a few years ago - doubt it is available, but worth a try...a true keepsake for a seasoned sailor.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so heartwarming and kind in a way.I prefer to read it in the morning because it reminded me of the peaceful sea that was sailed by the two main characters;Jim and Betty.This book was full of fun,challenges,love,and misadventures.This book calmed me down and thrilled me to the bones.Even though I only gave it four stars because sometimes I cannot understand some parts of the story(for I am a low-vocab reader).I recommend it to those that are lost and in need of some warmth in their life.It will fill those unfulfilled hearts that wanted peace and serenity through reading the pages of this magnificent book.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming little volume about how a married couple fell in love with the sea despite a few misadventures. They made a good team.

There is very little in this book which places it on time until a bit of slang places it in the middle to late 1960s. That helps it be a nealy timeless book. It's too bad it's no longer in print.

[Eric]

Entertaining! Realistic ....