Sea Change: Alone Across the Atlantic in a Wooden Boat

by Peter Nichols

In a meditation on sailing, the sea, and the mysteries of love, the author chronicles his and his wife's voyage aboard a wooden boat across the Atlantic from the Caribbean to England, where his marriage foundered, and his return solo odyssey, which also became a journey of self-discovery. Reprint.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir, Nautical, Adventure

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

Peter Nichols is the author of the bestselling novel The Rocks, the nonfiction bestsellers A Voyage for Madmen, Evolution's Captain, and three other books of fiction, memoir, and non-fiction. His novel Voyage to the North Star was nominated for the Dublin IMPAC literary award. His journalism has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He has an MFA degree from Antioch University Los Angeles, and has taught creative writing at Georgetown University, Bowdoin College, and New York University in Paris. Before turning to writing full time, he held a 100 ton USCG Ocean Operator’s licence and was a professional yacht delivery skipper for 10 years. He has also worked in advertising in London, as a screenwriter in Los Angeles, a shepherd in Wales. He has sailed alone in a small boat across the Atlantic and is a member of the Explorers Club of New York.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy tells you about his adventures sailing the worlds oceans

If you want to live the dream of sailing the worlds great salty sea in your own sail boat then this book will help throw ice water in your face , bruise your dream a bit and make you see the reality of it all .

Fun abounds, dreams are lived , divorces had , clear water , blue skys, mildew ,world sailing , staying soaked for days, sleeplessness , fear, expense ,leaks , fish food and much much more

Get the actual sailing story from a real sailor . Good Book ,

[Kenneth Iltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in our community book exchange. I wasn't expecting much but was more than pleased. I am a bit of a (retired) sailing buff. I owned two sailboats years ago. Nonetheless, I don't think that you need to be a sailor to enjoy this book.

The main theme of the book is a solo voyage across the Atlantic from England to Maine. Well, that was the original plan. No spoilers from me.

Peter Nichols is an experienced sailor. He has crossed the Atlantic before in a sailboat but never alone. Things don't go quite as planned (again, no spoilers). But the story about the voyage is interspersed with autobiographical notes (a love life gone south) and lots of sailing lore.

This book is one of the best surprises this year. The book was published about 20 years ago but is as relevant and interesting today as it was when it was published.

Tell me again why anyone would want to buy a wooden sailboat?

[Bethany Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in two days. Could not put it down. And now I anxiously wait his novel, The Rocks.

[Terry Galbraith · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to cloud a voyage with banal domestic storms

A decent sailing yarn, well written. I found the sailor's unhealthy fixation on an unhealthy past relationship, a significant distraction that dragged a half-decent voyage down a rabbithole of domestic tedium.

[Gerrit Janssens · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1997 kwam ik van een reis thuis met een boek voor mijn vader. Het heette ‘Sea change’ en de auteur Peter Nichols had het gesigneerd. Het leek me wat voor hem, het verhaal van een man die met een houten zeilboot alleen de Atlantische oceaan overstak.

Papa zeilde in zijn vrije tijd, en ik wist dat hij wel eens droomde van leven op een boot.

Het is een aankoop die je bijna achteloos doet, een leuke trouvaille vanwege een overduidelijke link, en verder sta je er niet bij stil. Niet dat Peter Nichols een auteur met naam was, het was gewoon een boek tussen stapels.

(Wat ik nu besef: ik kocht het aan de andere kant van de Atlantische oceaan en bracht het naar België. Het boek had dus al een overzeese reis met me gemaakt.)

‘Sea change’ heeft jaren ongelezen bij mijn ouders in de kast gestaan. Ik denk niet dat papa het ooit opende. Ik lees het vandaag.

Het was een boek voor hem, het heeft zijn hart. Over een ander soort leven. Van eenvoud, van ontbering en gevaar, zelfredzaamheid, een verhaal over afscheid en loutering, verdriet, levenskeuzen, vriendschap, loslaten, en alleen met water en wind zijn, overgeleverd aan de elementen.

Nu hij al meer dan 10 jaar overleden is, en de zee tussen ons onoverzeilbaar is, maak ik met elke zin de oversteek.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a second read of a book that impressed me when I first read it years ago. I remembered the author as a no nonsense, straightforward yachtsman (not that I know anything about boats) who didn’t necessarily wax lyrical about the ocean, seafaring or the splice of his main brace. Instead he got on with it, a solo crossing of the Atlantic while reminiscing about his previous sailing life with his girlfriend, and trying to work out which is the better mistress, her or the sea? Fortunately (or unfortunately) for him, he finds her old diaries and reads them on this voyage. I’m not sure I would have. It’s supposedly a gift to see ourselves as others see us, but really? Either way, no doubt we get an edited version of her version of his version.
The book was diverting enough but to be honest it wasn’t as good as I remembered. A bit like the girlfriend’s diary, maybe. I stuck with it, but the trouble with rereading books is that there are no surprises because, if there were, you'd remember them. There's no sense of discovery either, and I struggled to finish the final chapters. I gave it four stars, but that's more in memory of my first reading than the reality of this second one.

[Lynn Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an ode to to a lost boat and a lost marriage and how the two are entwined. Nichols shares knowledge of sailing technique and history as well as giving us a glimpse into the emotions of life at sea both alone and with a spouse. This is a fine read on many levels.

One of my favorite passages:
“I believe you can learn enough about sailing technique in one morning to set off on a voyage around the world that afternoon. I don’t mean seamanship- the experience honed judgment needed to handle a boat in all situations, which is the greatest requirement of the sailor- I mean the simple basic principles of how to move a boat with sails for any given wind….the finer points of sail trim take years to learn, years of pulling the sails in and out until the wind is no longer invisible but is something you can see clearly as smoke, with all its wraiths and streamers and eddies as it moves over the surface of the sea and slipstreams through your rigging and around your mast and across the parabolas of your sails.”

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a friend, and while I wasn't sure what to expect the premise sounded interesting. While the book took me awhile to get through, it had more to do with limited consistent free time which I could donate to reading such a detail oriented book than with the book not having caught my attention.
The information about maintaining and living an adventurous life on the water is so intriguing to me, and I found myself imaginatively pulling myself into the images created. In fact the entire idea of it intrigued me, except for the marital problems. The idea of the journey itself as a progression of growth away from everything, from someone you didn't see yourself becoming and from the person who pushed you towards that route - it sounds incredible.

---
"Through my shame and grief I find I'm proud of our fine voyage. The ending was simply how it finished, not the voyage itself.
What I will do now is find my way back to the sea" (238).

[David Forsyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sea Change tells an interesting and dramatic tale of a solo Atlantic crossing, with plenty of asides, side-stories and insights into the author's life and character. Almost rambling at times, the book treats its readers like friends from whom no secrets are kept. Mariners tend to feel connected through the unique shared experiences of living aboard, so I was drawn to Nichols's story and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are a sailor but haven't yet made a solo crossing, it provides good insights into what one might expect to encounter at sea. Even if you're not an experienced yachtie, the narrative is a great adventure story. Be prepared to be surprised.

[Shortjg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about The author’s experiences with the sailing life culminating with a solo sail across the Atlantic. The facts of the story are interesting. But the telling of the story is even better. Nichols seamlessly oscillates between the present and the past. By the end the whole picture is revealed and we can feel Nichols emotions at the dramatic conclusion.

Along the way we learn about adventurers from the past and present and the world of yachties. There are even some other book recommendations sprinkled in. A recommended read for anyone who dreams of adventure at sea.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't find a more transporting and enjoyable adventure journal than Peter Nichols' Sea Change. At once romantic, reverent and rational, the author's poetic rendering makes every part of the meandering story pleasant, and the dramatic details of his final moments aboard Toad truly thrilling. Delivering his thoughts and experiences in present tense, Nichols brings the reader a visceral experience through a thoughtful, personal perspective on expert seamanship and the freedom of sailing. More than that, he illuminates his figurative journey of self discovery as a captain of his own ship.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much to like in this first book of Nichols’, a non-fiction account of his singlehand trip from England to Maine, with a look back at his failed marriage during the long days on the ocean. I enjoyed the chutzpah needed to make the trip, although the author frequently doubts himself. In any case he is a good sailor and a better writer, and I recommend this tale.

[Josh Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely amazing read, especially for people who enjoy being on the open water ... the thought of being on a boat, in the middle of the ocean, for months sounds excruciating ... especially once you find out how taxing it really is AND you have water coming in. Wonderfully well written.

[David Uebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Riveting Journey

Well written and inexplicably sad. Some passages referring to…other people…can be a bit cringy, but I don’t think the author means any ill will.
Surprisingly this book contains some very good references for other sailing related reading material.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this tale of a man's solo journey across the ocean. The writing reminds me a little of Jon Krakauer.. mixing memoir with facts.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, drew me in

I was warmed and comforted by this book. It was a pleasure to read. It also included good and helpful information.

[Gian Luca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solo sailor getting his boat from England to Maine and his reflection about his life and his love story...

[Matthew Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy read of someone crossing an ocean, trapped with memories of his ex.

A pretty bittersweet, sad book but well written and easy to get through.

[Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

great soulful, adventure read

[John Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sea Change: Alone across the Atlantic in a Wooden Boat, written by Peter Nichols in 1997 is a personal narrative about a man’s connection with the sea after a difficult marriage. What drew my eyes towards this book was that it was a story about wooden boats. Wooden boats, to me, is a thing of beauty and function. The book starts out with Peter waiting in Plymouth, England for some good weather so he can take his boat, the Toad, to Maine so he can sell it. Toad is Peter’s most prized possession and was shared with his now ex-wife J. With the boat all packed and good weather approaching, Peter decides to head out to sea. On his journey to Horta Azores, a small island that is a midway point across the Atlantic, Peter finds J.’s old journal entries and starts reminiscing about the past. Peter talks about his honeymoon, countless adventures with J., and the flaws that he finally realized in their relationship. Peter reflects about his thoughts on being alone at sea, and the wonders that wait across the ocean. After many days at sea, Peter reaches Horta Azores and heads into town. He has been to Horta Azores multiple times going to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. After a couple days rest on land, Peter sets sail to Maine. Everything has ran smoothly up until water starts to slowly leak into Toad. Does Peter make it across the Atlantic with Toad? What other fascinating adventures has Peter been on? The only way to find out yourself is to read Sea Change.


Peter’s story telling makes this book a classic tale of a man’s struggle to survive under a stressful situation. Nichols’s writing style is so vivid, he described something that we cannot see but it is always around us, wind. Peter states “ By then you know where the wind is with your eyes shut, you can feel it in your sleep in your bunk below, and a small change can wake you up” (Nichols, 146). In the book, his use of imagery is effective in describing what is in front of him without dragging it out for pages upon pages.


On Peter’s adventures on the sea, he tells stories of his encounters with old friends and new ones as well. He never clearly tells you his personal feelings he has towards his friends, but only describes their actions it is the audience's job to decide if they like them or not. Through out the book, Peter only describes people on their actions and their major accomplishments, like single handedly sailing around the world or by jumping off their boat to their death.


In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Peter has many flashbacks about his past and tells the audience his personal thoughts about his philosophy on life. Sea Change is in fact a story, but it can also delve into philosophy, literature and the meaning of life. Peter talks about the famous modern philosopher, Alan Watts, which he references many times throughout the book. The flashbacks can take away from the story, but it was a good way in filling in the story rather than the audience reading about his time on the boat, which can get repetitive.

Overall, Peter Nichols does a fantastic job in describing life at sea and how being alone is beneficial in finding your inner self. Sea Change can be philosophical and gives valuable insight in his way of living. I personally would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in boat living and adventures on the sea. Peter Nichols is a fame of classic literature and makes many connections to it in Sea Change, so Peter and I both would most likely recommend the classic tale of Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

[Eric Althoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

You've probably never heard of Peter Nichols, nor or Donald Krowhurst, the infamous sailor who simply walked off the stern of his vessell in the midst of his solo sail around the globe, leaving behind only his journal. The author/narrator, Mr. Nichols, knows his name and decides to pick up where Krowhurst left off. After a difficult divorce from his French wife, Nichols decides to sail his 28-foot schooner, Toad, across the Atlantic from England to his family's home in New England. Alone. Think about that: 3,000-some odd miles of ocean separates this man from safety, warmth, fresh food, civilization. Never sleeping more than 15 minutes at a stretch, Nichols sets off for the New World armed only with his instruments, his wits, and the one godsend his forebears did NOT have: a radio. During the voyage, he finds his ex-wife's diary, which provides him a whole different perspective on his dissolve marriage: she was unhappy almost from the beginning and he finds that the times when he felt the most insecure about their relationship were often her best days. Eventually, Toad springs a leak, which becomes worse and...I will say no more, but to leave you to wonder what YOU would do if you were in mid-ocean when your home, your safety, suddenly threatens to come undone.

Mr. Nichols is a natural wordsmith, a born storyteller, and master at delving deep into human emotions, expounding frankly about regret, loss, lonliness and, ultimately, the power of self-determination. This is equally a tome about relationships as it is about sailing as his trips inside his wife's diary remind us once again how much we can learn about ourselves and our relationships by simply seeing it all from the eyes of another.

[D.M. Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago, when I was living on my sailboat for a time, and it has stuck with me ever since.

Peter Nichols writes candidly about his broken heart, revealed through his love for his boat. He writes about how love can sometimes painfully affect the soul of a man -- something few men have the courage to talk openly about -- and how it can drive a man to flee over vast oceans and high mountains in search of inner peace.

SEA CHANGE is more than one man's account of a journey across the Atlantic. It's a metaphor for the challenges facing a man as he struggles to find himself...his direction...amidst a sudden shift in tide.

As a man, I truly loved this book. I know what it's like to be set adrift after love lost, losing course only to find myself chasing an ever distant horizon. If you're a man who has ever felt less for having lost love...or who has ever wondered what to do next after life hands you an unexpected beat-down, then you should read SEA CHANGE. It's a beautiful, compelling, heart-wrenching read that will make you ponder the important things in life...or what you THINK is important.

If anything, SEA CHANGE will stir your sense of adventure, causing you to want to raise anchor and set sail...to once again experience all that life has to offer.

~ D.M. Anthony
Author of ANARCHY - A Love Story

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sea change is a moving and adventurous reading experience. The author describes his sail from England to the USA alone in a 27 foot wooden sailboat with few electronics and amenities. He describes his sail eloquently and clearly – the anticipation, aloneness and self-sufficiency, and beauty. He has just separated from his wife and sailing partner, so sailing alone is new to him, and he reflects throughout the sail about his experiences with his wife and what happened, through reading her diaries that she left onboard. You get the sadness of a failed relationship that could have brought such happiness and fulfillment but lack of empathy sabotaged. I enjoyed his insights on sailing technics - the sextant readings, pilot charts, weather reading, and sail dynamics. I thank Gerry, friend and fellow sailor, for the recommendation. I would recommend to anyone who likes a grand adventure made very real.

[Bern J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book quite a bit although I suspect a non-sailor might enjoy it less. Anyone who owns, maintains and sails a wooden boat have my respect. The rule of thumb "Three hours of work on the boat for every hour of sailing" is grossly underrated.More like 6,7,10 hours based on the one wooden boat that I've owned,a Mercury class sloop. It was also the prettiest boat I've ever owned.
But back to Peter.He writes in an engaging open style;laying open his marriage and its demise as he does. He's well read in the sailing classics.Loosing his library when his boat sinks must have been gut wrenching. It would have for me.
I've read a lot of books on ocean voyaging in small sailing craft. This is one of the better ones.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale is autobiographical, concerning a singlehanded sailing voyage the author took in his early thirties from England via the Azores attempting to get to Maine. During the trip he talks about how he and his ex-wife shared a dream. They renovated and sailed the wooden vessel “Toad” on a shoestring, with journeys across and on both sides of the Atlantic. The author is making this last trip to sell the boat around Maine.

Frankly, especially towards the end it kept me up late one night for the tale was so gripping. I appreciated the combination of fine storytelling, introspection and adventure. Without giving away the culmination of this story, the author packs a tremendous emotional impact that affected me deeply.

[Plum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Nichols is a wonderful writer. If you are a sailor, or have any affinity with the sea, this is a must-read. If you are a landlubber that wouldn't go near a boat for all the tea in China - it's still a must-read. His reflections on life, marriage, love, courage, fear and the strengths and frailties of the human psyche are beautifully explored, rendered in a polished, seamless delivery that is the hallmark of first class writing. My only wish is that he would write more books. I'm a confirmed fan of Mr Nichols.

[LeAndra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. It was somewhat difficult to read through the sailing terms I am unfamiliar with, but once I got going, I thoroughly enjoyed it. In addition to reading about people who have sailed across the world, including the author's trip across the Atlantic, anyone who has had a relationship break up, questioned a lifestyle, or even considered writing a memoir will find value in this book too. It was also interesting to see how the experiences the author wrote about in this book made their way into The Rocks.

[Mik Hetu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nichols set out to cross the Atlantic in his fine little wooden boat. The only significant problem was the leak . . .
This is more than a story of voyage interrupted by the boat sinking out from under the sailor; it is full of reflections about sailing, the history and lore of ocean voyaging in small boats, and bigger thoughts about navigating through life. Nichols is intelligent, educated, and articulate — this is a good read!

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rambling and indistinct. There is too little material to sustain even a book this short, though Nichols is a decent writer with the appropriately philosophical cast of mind to make being trapped in a boat semi-interesting, for a while. The problem is, not much happens outside the author's introspection, and his thoughts are not interesting enough to carry the book.

[Stephen Kiernan · Rating 3 out of 5]

His Voyage for Madmen is one of my favorite nonfiction books of the year. This one is not as good, but it is still mighty vivid and compelling. The sense of happy melancholy that the long distance solo sailor inhabits is wonderfully rendered. And the society of characters who live this way is colorful too.