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smackdaddy · 02-02-2013, 07:59

Though I don't post here a whole lot, I wanted to come over and pimp a good book I came across over on SN:

Breaking Seas: An overweight, middle-aged computer nerd buys his first boat, quits his job, and sails off to adventure: Glenn Damato: 9780985816209: Amazon.com: Books

I'm pimpin' it for a couple of reasons:

1. Every couple of months someone asks if they can buy a boat with no experience and do some serious cruising. The answer is "sure you can, but it'll probably be more than you bargained for".

This guy, Glenn Damato, did just that and is very honest about what worked and what didn't work (composting heads, provisioning/loading the boat, Portland Pudgy, horrible leaks, etc.).

He found himself against a lee shore with a busted impeller (dead engine) and a full keel boat that would not point. He saved the boat, with a very clever hack. How? Buy the book.

He's a smart, witty dude and good a writer. I'd definitely have a beer with him. BFS material for sure.

2. He's self-published this book, completely on his own, through Amazon. The fact that Amazon offers this service, for free, to new authors who'd never have otherwise gotten a chance to publish is just awesome. And the fact that Glenn did such a good job writing, laying out, and even type-setting the book himself - true self-sufficiency - is just about as sailor-esque as it gets.

I paid under $4 for the Kindle version. It's a good deal. Throw the dude a bone.

YOG · 02-02-2013, 08:24

Thanks for the tip - I will see if Kobo e-books is offering it.
Looking forward to reading it.

J & C

smackdaddy · 02-02-2013, 18:33

YOG, yeah, it really is a good book. I just finished it this afternoon. It brings home the fact that off-shore sailing is work.

I definitely recommend it (both the book and the work).

boatsail · 02-02-2013, 20:49

Just purchased. Thanks for the info!

verity1313 · 06-02-2013, 13:21

Just sitting here in the cold wet UK reading the forums, and I chance on a book I would never have found!

Have read the first few pages, it looks good.

Am enjoying this site generally, just shows, once the bug bites we are all the same under the skin.

ElGatoGordo · 06-02-2013, 15:15

Read it cover to cover (so to speak). Worth the time and a rare thing indeed in that it DOESN'T end like you would think.

For a good read about a guy with less money and even more Moxy I recommend www.atomvoyages.com they is a free book and lots of other stuff.

verity1313 · 07-02-2013, 13:16

Thanks for the lead to this one, have marked the site and look forward to reading.

conachair · 07-02-2013, 13:34

Ta.

A few moments and it's on the kindle.

Age 41, quite young

iSaint · 07-02-2013, 16:14

It is a good read, I'm enjoying it on my Kindle after Smack's Sailnet recommendation. The author has some good conversation in the thread on Sailnet as well.