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Gibbous · 14-09-2008, 03:01

...and cruise on an equally low budget by radically simplifying their lifestyles to the point of near ascetism?

I just finished reading "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer (story of a well-to-do young man who abandoned his wealth & posessions to travel the wilderness of N. America and was later found dead in Alaska), and while I would never consider doing such a thing myself I found it to be a very compelling story with some real perspective-altering themes about what we value and how we lead our lives.

This led me to think that there have surely been people who have tried to do such things on a boat, and I'd like to read their stories if they're out there in print somewhere. Any ideas?

Boomp · 14-09-2008, 03:52

I suppose Lin and Larry Pardey count. They've been doing what you describe for over 49 years. They have several books out including The Self Sufficient Sailor. I'm sure if you check w Amazon books you'l find others.

Shu · 14-09-2008, 12:11

Lin & Larry Pardy is probably the best modern day account of this life style. Especially in their early years with a very limited budget. Some very interesting reading there.

**Ex-Calif** · 15-09-2008, 03:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbous

(How many people) cruise on an equally low budget by radically simplifying their lifestyles to the point of near ascetism?

I just finished reading "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer (story of a well-to-do young man who abandoned his wealth & posessions to travel the wilderness of N. America and was later found dead in Alaska),

Hard to tell -

Maybe when people pull a Krakauer on the ocean they aren't found?

Liberty28 · 15-09-2008, 03:36

I would consider this...

Atom Voyages | Voyaging Around the World on the Sailboat Atom with James and Mei - Across the Atlantic on Triton Pajaro

as an example of some rather austere cruising. Not a "book" but some very fun reading.

Also, checheckout the SailFar website's book forum...

Book Locker

Allan S · 15-09-2008, 04:27

Some of those sound like good reading. Maybe I'll improve my grammar and spelling and write one myself in seven years. lol. All I know about sailing on the cheap is that it is possible. It has to be possible. The wife and I WILL figure it out as we go along.

**Ex-Calif** · 15-09-2008, 07:20

Sorry about my sarcastic little poke. People who are prepared and have prepared their boat for austere cruising are to be admired.

When I read "Into the Wild" I spent most of my time shaking my head. It's a good example of how not to go about it.

starbolin · 17-09-2008, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbous

This led me to think that there have surely been people who have tried to do such things on a boat, ...

Which, traveling alone or perishing on a wind-swept piece of god-forsaken ground with one bullet in your gun hoping to pass out before the wolves rend your limbs?

**skipmac** · 17-09-2008, 04:59

Before the Pardey's there was Eric and Susan Hiscock who started out on very small boats with a very small budget and spent their lives crusing. They wrote a whole series of books about their lives afloat.

Gibbous · 18-09-2008, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Sorry about my sarcastic little poke. People who are prepared and have prepared their boat for austere cruising are to be admired.

When I read "Into the Wild" I spent most of my time shaking my head. It's a good example of how not to go about it.

In all fairness Krakauer was just the author, I guess it should be called pulling a McCandless. I too found my head shaking at how the guy prepared for what he was doing, but there were also some much worse examples in the book. If not for a bit of bad luck he might have made it out alive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbolin

Which, traveling alone or perishing on a wind-swept piece of god-forsaken ground with one bullet in your gun hoping to pass out before the wolves rend your limbs?

The dying on a patch of god-forsaken ground part isn't a requirement, nor is being alone I suppose. I'm more interested in how people arrive at the decision to make do with less in order to live a more free life, how they went about it, and the how's & why's about their results.

Thanks for the recommendations so far, I'll look into what's been suggested.

**Ex-Calif** · 18-09-2008, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gibbous

The dying on a patch of god-forsaken ground part isn't a requirement, nor is being alone I suppose. I'm more interested in how people arrive at the decision to make do with less in order to live a more free life, how they went about it, and the how's & why's about their results.

I joke with my wife all the time that if we could live for 5 years like we did in college, we wouldn't have to work again for 50 years.

But here on reality island that is simply not possible... For us anyway...

Roy M · 18-09-2008, 18:49

"The Case for the Criuising Trimaran", by Jim Brown. He pioneered a concept when it was decidedly counter to the popular trends, then took it one step further to third world cultures. He paid it back and forward. It's a great read with funny cartoons, and every bit as applicable today as when it was written in the 70's.