The Coast of Summer: Sailing New England Waters from Shelter Island to Cape Cod

by Anthony Bailey

The seductive storytelling of Anthony Bailey is as gratifying as a full-sail breeze in this enchanting tale of a season afloat along the New England coast. Poking into deep harbors and shallow ponds, anchoring off fashionable resorts and remote coves, Bailey and his wife Margot leisurely sail between Long Island and the tip of Cape Cod in their small sloop, Lochinvar. Interspersing his narrative with local history, geography, and biography, Bailey evokes curious legends and brings to life those rare, intriguing characters who are drawn to coastal life. And when, on occasion, this drowsy, idyllic cruise becomes a sudden, sober, battle with the perils of the sea, Bailey offers modestly but enticingly the fruits of much hard-won and not always heroic yachting experience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Anthony Bailey (born 1933) was a British non-fiction writer, and art historian.

He was evacuated to Dayton, Ohio, in 1940 during World War II. For many years he was a writer for the New Yorker magazine.

He died of corona virus in Colchester, Essex, which he contracted whilst in hospital for hip surgery after a fall at his home.

He lived in Mersea Island, near Colchester, Essex, with his wife Margot. They have four daughters: Liz, Annie, Katie and Rachel.

His obituary in the New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/26/bo...

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, it sounds like a fun way to spend a summer! Makes me want to get out on the water.

[Jane Hanser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I not post my review? I took this book out of the library simply because I loved the cover (NOT the cover that shows up in this Goodreads, but the blue and white cover with the big sailboat splashed all over it.) My husband and I took turns reading it aloud to each other. We fell in love with this book. the writing is great, the story is great, the pace is great, the author (and his wife) are great, the book has amazing detail about the little unknown history of places, and most of all you fall in love with Lochinvar. Lochinvar is the hero, a character forever in your mind. Read this book, and if you’d like, read this book with somebody you like!

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely book. Only thing missing is a chart of the various locations that he describes.

[Rich Connors · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very relaxing an enjoyable read, particularly if you are familiar with this part of the New England coastline. Lots of great ideas & inspiration for your next nautical adventure too.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Coast of Summer
Excited to learn that in this book about sailing the coast of New England that the author also stops at the island my mom and dad lived in the RI area.
Liked hearing of the landmarks one sees from the water as we know them from the landside. Island hopping at its best.
What adventures! Love the tour of all the islands and what makes each special for fresh seafood, people met along the way, seashelling or just day tripping.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Jan Vanderburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony Bailey was a great storyteller and that skill mixed with his love and knowledge of sailing and the world of the sea makes for a great read! It was undoubtedly more interesting to me because I now live on the Long Island Sound and the sailing I've managed to do in my life is enough to whet my appetite to do more. I constantly referred to the map as he and his wife, Margot, sailed from Stonington, Ct. through the waters surrounding Cape Cod and to a glossary of sailing terms as he spoke the language of sailors. Great adventures!

[Peter Peaquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I keep on my shelf and take it down every spring to prepare for the coming summer. As cruising narratives go, this is not a page turner, jumping from one death defying moment to the next, rather it is very well written celebration of the experience of being afloat. This genre is normally populated by adventurers trying to write, but Mr. Bailey represents a writer sharing his adventures.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I sail in Buzzard's Bay and Vineyard Sound this memoir of the Bailey's sailing life appealed to me. I know too well the challenges of getting a boat ready for a cruising vacation. I am familiar with many of the ports they visited and enjoyed reading about their experiences. I would recommend it to those who love spending time on the water, particularly in New England.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthony Bailey sure knows how to write a great story! He is the type of writer you would enjoy traveling with or having a long dinner chat with! I have never travelled the areas covered in the book, but I sure feel like I have now been there! Great read, highly recommended!

[Care · Rating 4 out of 5]

menhaden p?, p. 57 - ref to NovaScotia and Lisbon, p 63 vernissages & caiques

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delighful book - more so, if you enjoy sailing or any kind of boating. One of the few books on my shelf that I've read over and over.

[Kevin A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The perfect companion for long winter nights, dreaming of sailing the New England coast.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes tedious, sometimes entertaining read about cruising on their sailboat off New England waters.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have sailed the area it is a memory filled must read