Sailing to Jessica

by Kelly Watts

At 35-years old, Kelly and Paul Watts sold their home and quit their jobs to sail around the world, without any sailing experience. Two days after purchasing their forty-two-foot sloop, they got caught in a forty-knot gale off the coast of Cape Fear, NC. Their sails ripped; the engine overheated; the GPS broke; they suffered hypothermia and severe seasickness. And yet they persevered on their journey, discovering the playful sea lions of the Galapagos, the seductive dance of the Polynesian girls, and the primitive beat of Tuvaluan music, all while learning how to sail and repair their boat. They narrowly avoided a shark attack in Suwarrow, fled from suspected pirates off the coast of Ecuador, and hit a submerged container - the fear of all sailors - near Midway Island. What started as a search to find meaning to "life without children," only strengthened their desire to have a family. After fertility attempts failed in America and New Zealand, they unexpectedly adopted a two-month old baby in Kiribati. And so began the adventure of raising a baby on a boat in the middle of the Pacific, battling Dengue Fever and an epidemic of e-coli., almost losing their lives in a 60-knot westerly gale and navigating through the maze of international adoption paperwork. Told from Kelly's conversational point of view, "Sailing to Jessica" will inspire anyone who is searching for meaning in their life to get up and find it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Adventure

285 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 2012

About the author

Before moving to India, and subsequently Australia, Kelly Watts was a regional contributor for Meredith Corporation, the American publisher of Better Homes & Gardens magazine. She also wrote freelance articles for Blue Water Sailing magazine, Creative Home magazine as well as Pet Trader magazine (NZ).

Prior to her four-year sailing trip, she wrote a weekly newspaper food column for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and St. Paul Pioneer Press for three years in addition to freelance food articles for other newspapers and Hometown Cooking magazine. She was also a food photographer for these newspapers. One of her sailing photographs appeared on the June 2006 cover of Blue Water Sailing magazine.

She has a degree in Chemistry with a double major in French from Georgetown University and received her Certificat de Cuisine Base from the Cordon Bleu in Paris.

Reviews

[Lynn McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t have to be a sailor to appreciate this adventure tale of a couple who escape a predictable life with an impulsive change of course.  In a rut and grieving over sterility problems, and just entering that enlightened moment between lost youth and approaching middle age, they make a giant leap from suburbanites to seafarers, from the daily grind to dangerous waters.  With no sailing experience between them, they quit their jobs and unwisely take off on an around the world journey on a 42 boat.  Along the way they gain plenty of sailing savvy,  more adventure than they bargained for, and an unexpected and surprising ending for their journey, their family, and their boat. The book is part sailing primer, part
perilous adventure, part tropical travel log.  Gorgeous photos throughout bring the story to life. A fast-moving read for anyone who’s ever had a dream.

[Viviane · Rating 3 out of 5]

To quit your job, sell your house, and sail around the world is a pretty brave thing to do, and that's what the author and her husband did, along with their cat Hobie. Although both were pretty new to sailing, things didn't go terribly wrong, although they did go through quite a few storms.

They adopted a baby along their travels, and it seemed to happen really, really fast. That's the only part of the book I had trouble believing. I wasn't sure if they just had a lot of luck or if it was just edited to seem like a relatively smooth process (considering what couples in the U.S. go through).

This book read like a blog, was a super quick read, and was enjoyable.

[Tash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would like to do something similar one day so was nice to read the blow by blows of a similar adventure!

[Bryan Baecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the spirit of full disclosure, I partly thought this book was amazing because I know both Kelly and Paul personally. However, they are amazing people, that lead an amazing life, and have many amazing stories! I am grateful that (1) Kelly put one of them down on paper and (2) I had the opportunity to read it. If I think back to when I read it, it was probably one of the first genuine experiences with vulnerability I had. Kelly shares intimate details of her relationship with Paul, her husband, and their struggle to both start a family and find fulfillment in life. Her laid-back, but professional writing style will have you quickly turning pages until the end. Her story is great because it is so easy to relate to. I highly recommend this book!

[Deborah Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no denying that having sailed and lived on a sailing boat for a short time meant I was drawn into this book instantly. The fact that I also knew one of the characters added to my interest. But all that aside this is a fantastic read, grippingly written, an amazing adventure and a phenomenal story. It certainly doesn't gloss up the idea of attempting to sail around the world. I lived this adventure voueyristically but then was content.

[Media Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books are enjoyable to read but only a few leave you inspired and wanting to read more.
Whether you are a sailor or not you go through the roller coaster of emotions Kelly and Paul experienced along their amazing life-changing journey.
I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this book and respect the passion and courage that these 2 people took to give up their conventional lives and pursue their dream of sailing around the world.
A real page turner, very well written, the author kept a very accurate account of her journey through the pacific islands. highly recommended read if you like sailing or a truly spiritual and inspiring story.
Unexpected ending to the book.
It is a great story of sea, love and self discovery.
Some amazing pictures that captured the beauty of the sea and the sailing life style.

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Sailing to Jessica in one sitting on a trans-Atlantic flight, and was gratefully transported away from the middle seat I occupied, wedged between my two overgrown boys. The details of Paul and Kelly's journey will bring the reader aboard the roller coaster ups and downs of the cruising life, the seemingly endless frustrations mitigated by unforgettable friendships, joy and awe that make it all so worthwhile, an experience of a lifetime. Here is an inspirational couple who recognized an opening in their lives and seized a moment leading to the kinds of memories that only a life at sea can bring . . . with the ultimate reward being the realization of the elusive dream that motivated them to leave in the first place—two beautiful children of their own. Thank you for sharing this happy story.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine gave me this book to read, and when I saw that it involved sailing I have to be honest : I inwardly groaned. I am not the audience for this kind of book. Even so, I read it and am so glad I did. There was a lot to enjoy! Part travelogue, part memoir, part craziness (they sailed around the world without actually knowing how to sail!) Sailing to Jessica holds nothing back. Not only are Kelly and Paul on the ride of their life in their sailboat, their relationship and desire to build a family has as many ups and downs as a Pacific storm. They are maddening, touching, and brave. We cringe, we bite our nails, we cry and we laugh. A book about the human spirit, luck, fate and the things we do with our backs to the wall.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sailing to Jessica is an inspired commentary on the strength of the human spirit, a testimony to love, and the joy of exploration. For anyone who wants to grab life with both hands, leap out of their comfort zone, and imagine the possibilities out there; this wonderful debut novel ticks every box. It is part memoir, part exceptional travel adventure (with amazing detail), part love story. After reading this, don't be surprise if you feel just a little tempted to jump on a sailboat and sail the stormy seas to the nearest tropical island.

[Carol Englert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I am always amazed at the courage of so called 'greenhorns' and how they rise to the challenge. She describes the conditions of men and weather very accurately (having been in a similar situation) and her handling of it all is testimony to her inner strength. Of course you really don't have any choice in the matter and you are too busy to be scared. It only hits you are after the fact. Very readable. I highly recommend it.
Carol Englert

[Stephane Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sailing to Jessica is a book that reminds you what's really important in life and how we can make our own destiny. Well written and told in the first person, you feel more than a member of the crew on the boat as the author shares her personal thoughts and emotions.
Whether you're a sailor or not is irrelevant to appreciate this amazing story and I highly recommend it!

[Bridget Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I never really ever thought what I would feel or done if I could have not had my kids, but I don't think I would have the guts to do what these two did. Very inspirational, true love and respect for each other. A true life story with a happy ever after. I loved this book.

[Brenda G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great true sailing adventure. A couple cuts ties with land and sails around the world only to find what the were looking for all along. Fun read!

[Brian Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Read it in one day when I was home with the flu. For those who dream of one day living the cruising life, you will enjoy this book.