'The Boat Who Wouldn't Float' by Farley Mowat

[unbusted67]

Has anyone read this book by Farrely Mowat? It should be called "The Man Who Could Not Sail". From page one it is a lesson in what not to do on a boat. I found it to be slightly comedic but mostly just disturbing.

[scook1]

I heard about it. I heard a gentleman once describe his sailing experience by comparing it to that book. What is so bad about it?
Spencer

[Hiracer]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

Has anyone read this book by Farrely Mowat? It should be called "The Man Who Could Not Sail". From page one it is a lesson in what not to do on a boat. I found it to be slightly comedic but mostly just disturbing.

I found it funny as hell.

Mowat is one of my favorite authors.

[Philsboat]

Never Cry Wolf and People of the Deer were good books by Farley Mowat.
He wasn't much of a sailor but he sure could drink!

Phil

[forsailbyowner]

Hilarious, I just picked up another book of his. A whale for the killing. Sounds like my first read for trip to KW saturday.

[keelbolts]

Like Hiracer, I found it funny as hell. Read it.

[Alan Brown]

Farley's the only person I have read about that actually ate field mice. In "Never Cry Wolf" he tried to emulate the diet of the wolves he was observing. Yuck!

[cantxsailor]

Ah yes "creme de la souris" or cream of mouse soup. If the economy gets much worse it may be an option. Mice I could do but I draw the line at bugs. I know they are a great source of protien but I will have to be a whole lot more hungry than I am now to eat bugs. In fact I could, in my current condition, probably go for several months before it even became an issue..........m

[unbusted67]

No much of a sailor but he really could put the booze away. There is a seen in the book where everyone at the marina elects to make him move his boat to the other side of the harbor because he and it are such a mess. He sounds like the kind of person that would get skewered on CF, that is, of course, if they had had the interwebs back then.

[hpeer]

Farley is quite the individual.

Last I heard he is still alive. He has a bit of land in Cape Breton and, upon his death, it will go over to a nature preserve to protect the "others." The "others" are all living things not human. He is quite the conservationist. One of the more active sea conservation societies "Sea Shepard" named a boat after him, but I think it quickly sank. How appropriate.

I found "The Boat That Wouldn't Float" wonderful. It is an all too accurate description of life in Newfoundland, though much has changed since then. He pissed off quite a few people on the Rock with his book about folks killing a whale.

Another good read is "Grey Seas Under." Fabulous read but I would not take all of it as the Gods Honest Truth.

I have read several of his books. He is not afraid to put forth unpopular opinions or stories and at times you have to read him with a fair grain of salt. Yet I respect him for being fearless in saying what he fells is right, even if he can not "prove" it. I don't think anyone ever complained of him talking behind their back.

Farley would quite likely have not survived on this or any other forum as he is quite famous for his tongue and opinions.

Clearly I admire him.

P.S. The "Happy Adventure" still exists and is on the hard in Margaree Harbour, Cape Breton, or so I've been told.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by hpeer

... One of the more active sea conservation societies "Sea Shepard" named a boat after him, but I think it quickly sank...

I believe that the "Farley Mowat" is still afloat & operating.

The Fleet - Sea Shepherd

[unbusted67]

Wow I would love to see The Happy Adventure, or what is left of it. What are some of its other names? Happy Adventure in Basque is something like "Itchitzeiass adsa" ."Never Cry Wolf" is a book and a film that is ingrained in my psyche forever.

[tager]

I loved that book. It was so funny I gave it to a friend. The scenes in the fog are especially nerve wracking. The mud flat scenes are all pretty funny too.

Similar story here, without the comedy. Atom Voyages | Saga of a Jungle Schooner - Zulu Sailing Cargo BoatAtom Voyages | Saga of a Jungle Schooner - Zulu Sailing Cargo Boat

[hummingway]

I've read most of his books tough not all. A very prolific writer. I think also a better sailor then he lets on. Farley was fond of saying he didn't let truth get in the way of a good story.

[Chief Engineer]

Having worked on Tugs and meeting a few real salvage crews (not the local pyrates that prowl the Chesapeake) his book is quite believable.

And they were doing it with coal...no thank you.