Sailing From Behind the Curve

I was enthralled by Dave Bacon's sailing out for adventure high seas story! Dave needs a break from his teaching and basically just life. His job has worn him down. His marriage is failing, He's lost touch with the sense of joy in life. He buys a boat of his dream and decides to go alone on a journey from the Bay Area to Mexico. I have friends that have sailed this route but they really didn't go into day by day and the challenges faced as Dave does. Each chapter is a journey tale in itself. He talks about his loneliness, his frustration at himself and the sea. He's not sure he truly was an adequate sailor, but still he somehow in someway manages to navigate to the right port, the right direction (which he does get lost out there with nothing but water as far as the eye can see) and to challenge his own personality to open up and accept help. When he's about all done in and at some points in some really dangerous situations, he meets fellow sailors who willing give help. And, these sailors all have their own stories with some real characters among them. They help set him straight - yes, you're off course, Dave and at times, save his a*^ to championed him to push on, matey!In fact, as I write this review about this most interesting and educational book I realize Dave's journey is about life; truly living life to the fullest. The more we push ourselves beyond accepting that which gives security and contentment, but no real sense of "living" the more we encounter - good, bad, ugly and a deep sense of realizing what we're really made up of. We are challenged beyond our self understanding.Kudos to this author!! I loved his story.

While this sailing yarn has been written retrospectively it lacks little in the retelling; of a determined sailor in a capable small sailboat on a difficult voyage. I particularly enjoyed the author's honest portrayal of the emotional barriers that may confront overcome on a solo sailor on a desolate coast and during challenging weather conditions.

A nice, well told story of what is involved in a coastal passage in a small yacht. The author covers every subject from how to do such a cruise and why you would want to, or in his case need to, do such a cruise. There are enlightening views on life, society and the world in general that you might expect from someone on a solo cruise.Well worth the read.