In the world of sailing most are known as
day sailors, racers, or weekenders, those
that take family or friends for a short sail
to be with wind and sea. A much smaller
group is known as the bluewater sailors.
They are made up of men and women who will
travel great distances at sea, as they move
from one port to another, often crossing
borders without any regard. Within that
group is yet an even smaller sect. They call
us the singlehanders. Generally peripatetic
by nature, we roam the oceans of the world
alone, at will.
In the twenty years of sailing a variety of
boats, I have met many singlehanders.
Friendships are made fast for none are ever
in the same place very long. The simplest
reason will cause a singlehander to move
thousands of miles; sometimes it’s simply
because "I felt like going for a sail one
day and just kept going."
In this funny little world, one can rapidly
make a great friendship with another
bluewater sailor. They'll part ways and
years will pass. At some future time and
distant place, they find themselves in the
same port again. Instantly, friendships are
renewed and long stories are exchanged
through the night. Invariably, one question
is always asked, "What happened and what did
you do to find yourself in this lifestyle?”
Each story is unique, as is mine. My life at
sea would begin with my shot at four world
records trying to sail alone around the
world in a twelve-foot boat. However, there
is much more to it than just sea stories.
This adventure began with an odd series of
events that started when I was eighteen. At
the time, I thought I was controlling these
events. However, years later, I realized it
was the events that controlled me. As each
one occurred, it was my reaction to it that
would send me to the next step on my journey
to the sea.
This book is about a boy, a girl, and a
little boat named DREAM. This is our story.
