'Sailing Alone Around the World' by Joshua Slocum

[scook1]

Eager to read the entire story. I have heard about his story, but would love to hear the details about Slocum and Spray.
Spencer

[CarolaMaster]

Remember your tacks!

[GorillaToast]

Skip the audio books and try to find a paper copy. Mine has wonderful illustrations of the Spray, including line drawings and sail plan. The footnotes explain most of those obscure references such as " I heard the clanking of the dismal bell on Norman's Woe..." or ...had sailed out of New Bedford, so he said, for 'that Joe Wing they called "John"'.

The printed word... a dying art form.

[Tim_H]

Peter Tangvald had a thing for young girls too.

[tonforty]

I'm on chapter 7.. Love it! It's getting my nautical juices flowing.

I think we are about due for a blockbuster, high budget, movie on this. That guy that did "Shawshank Redemption" OR the "Platoon" guy would be appropriate.

I'm dying for a great sailing movie that also teaches me by osmosis at the same time.

[tonforty]

Mark J Could be the star! (But he would have to circumnavigate again)

[Jens1]

Thanks for the source link
http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/boo...-joshua-slocum

I will start listening during the lunch breaks.

The office work will start tomorrow.

[endoftheroad]

Are there any interior photos of replicas of the SPRAY on the internet?

[Ed_Sail]

There are a few on YachtWorld - like this one 1980 Spray Replica Yawl Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[Jatkins]

Originally Posted by tonforty

I'm on chapter 7.. Love it! It's getting my nautical juices flowing.

I think we are about due for a blockbuster, high budget, movie on this. That guy that did "Shawshank Redemption" OR the "Platoon" guy would be appropriate.

I'm dying for a great sailing movie that also teaches me by osmosis at the same time.

Have you seen The Riddle Of The Sands starring Michael York and Simon MacCorkindale? I think you'd enjoy it.

[PamlicoTraveler]

Originally Posted by Ed_Sail

There are a few on YachtWorld - like this one 1980 Spray Replica Yawl Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Very cool... I wonder if the interior is a good replica...Looks nice in there.

[wristwister]

OK, reading the book now, and I'm having trouble with a couple things:

1. He mentions speeds of 7, 8 and 9 knots. Really? I've seen pictures and drawings of the Spray, I see no way that boat could reach such speeds. Maybe he's talking momentary speeds while surfing down the face of a wave? Or maybe while in a 5 knot ocean current? Anybody else buying this?

2. Several times he mentions "lashing the tiller" then going down to sleep, and arising to find she's held a steady course through the night. Huh? I can't acheive a steady course for 30 seconds by lashing the tiller. Did he have some sort of autopilot system he's not mentioning?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by wristwister

OK, reading the book now, and I'm having trouble with a couple things:

1. He mentions speeds of 7, 8 and 9 knots. Really? I've seen pictures and drawings of the Spray, I see no way that boat could reach such speeds. Maybe he's talking momentary speeds while surfing down the face of a wave? Or maybe while in a 5 knot ocean current? Anybody else buying this?

2. Several times he mentions "lashing the tiller" then going down to sleep, and arising to find she's held a steady course through the night. Huh? I can't acheive a steady course for 30 seconds by lashing the tiller. Did he have some sort of autopilot system he's not mentioning?

He'd definitely be talking water speed... not over ground.. and yes its possible... I've gone over hull speed under bare poles or just a hankie...

The 'Lashing of the Tiller' is mentioned by quite a few old time voyagers of long keeled boats... the right amount of canvas set correctly and the tiller balanced with cord just so and they'd hold course for as long as the wind was steady...
The old Hillyards had that quality...

[smallyachts]

On Sam McGee it is quite simple to balance the sails and literaly walk away from the tiller. As long as the wind direction holds, she holds course.

Ketch, full keel, tiller steering

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by wristwister

OK, reading the book now, and I'm having trouble with a couple things:

1. He mentions speeds of 7, 8 and 9 knots. Really? I've seen pictures and drawings of the Spray, I see no way that boat could reach such speeds. Maybe he's talking momentary speeds while surfing down the face of a wave? Or maybe while in a 5 knot ocean current? Anybody else buying this?

2. Several times he mentions "lashing the tiller" then going down to sleep, and arising to find she's held a steady course through the night. Huh? I can't acheive a steady course for 30 seconds by lashing the tiller. Did he have some sort of autopilot system he's not mentioning?

Yes, lashing the tiller his boat was famous for when balanced.
In fact, I think it was Wikipedia that I read that he sailed for 2,000 miles without ever touching the helm.

You should read Wikipedia to get an idea of how many sailing miles and how much professional experience this man had under his belt prior to writing the book and solo circumnavigating.

It's a good read.