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Bumfuzzle - Just out looking for Pirates
We've all had that conversation—with ourselves or our significant other—the one about what to do with our life. For some it remains just that—a conversation. But for Pat and Ali the simple question— posed over too many pitchers of beer at their favorite downtown Chicago pizza place—had an answer that demanded action.
“What do you think about sailing around the world for four years?” Pat asked Ali.
“Sure, why not?” came the non-chalant, slightly inebriated response. And thus concluded what would become a life changing moment for the two.
Why not? Well, for starters, they had never stepped foot on a sailboat before. For another, they were on the fast track to beating out all of the Joneses. They were young, and by any measure successful, but they were bored and getting a little soft around the middle. Their comfortable existence wasn't doing it for them, and the idea of moving to the suburbs from the city to become more comfortable made them queasy.
Within months they'd bought a 35' catamaran (after just eight hours of searching), and had set out across the Gulf Stream for the Bahamas. For months they fine tuned their decidedly amateur sailing routine, and then...they were off.
For the next four years they sailed around the world, had adventures, met new people, faced down dangers, discovered new and amazing things like winches have two speeds and a sailboat's windex is not it's blue glass cleaner.
They also learned that people are good the world over—that every stranger was not out to get them, that even the scariest looking among them—the pirates of our minds eye—are deep down no different from you and I. In fact, they've had that conversation too—What am I going to do with my life?
“What do you think about sailing around the world for four years?” Pat asked Ali.
“Sure, why not?” came the non-chalant, slightly inebriated response. And thus concluded what would become a life changing moment for the two.
Why not? Well, for starters, they had never stepped foot on a sailboat before. For another, they were on the fast track to beating out all of the Joneses. They were young, and by any measure successful, but they were bored and getting a little soft around the middle. Their comfortable existence wasn't doing it for them, and the idea of moving to the suburbs from the city to become more comfortable made them queasy.
Within months they'd bought a 35' catamaran (after just eight hours of searching), and had set out across the Gulf Stream for the Bahamas. For months they fine tuned their decidedly amateur sailing routine, and then...they were off.
For the next four years they sailed around the world, had adventures, met new people, faced down dangers, discovered new and amazing things like winches have two speeds and a sailboat's windex is not it's blue glass cleaner.
They also learned that people are good the world over—that every stranger was not out to get them, that even the scariest looking among them—the pirates of our minds eye—are deep down no different from you and I. In fact, they've had that conversation too—What am I going to do with my life?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2008
121 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 5, 2014
waste of time. Save yourself an afternoon...basically here's all you need to know in a run-on sentence: A couple went on a sailing trip around the world, saw some things (no details needed), had minimal adventures, found out they don't like sailing or people who sail very much, and finished the trip.
June 27, 2018
This book has some mixed reviews but if you go in expecting it for what it is, a SAILING Journal, then you won't be disappointed. It's not for those who are completely clueless on boating jargon and terminology though. It's fun and a great read! I look forward to checking out their blog next. Haters should stay on the dock. I say drop anchor, kick back, and enjoy!
January 3, 2015
complete garbage. author is first class douche bag.
January 22, 2015
Most of the book was complaining about one thing or another. I enjoyed the parts about people and cultures, but the sailing parts did nothing for me. The blog is better.
November 6, 2019

Cid Herman
This true adventure story is so worth your time!
October 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
Format: Kindle Edition
Bumfuzzle has got to be is one of the best adventures you can experience vicariously. Let's face it: circumnavigating the globe on a small sailboat isn't something most people are ever going to get to do. It is expensive, it is time consuming, it takes some mechanical ability and it is considered dangerous. A trip like this seems both daunting and terrifying.
It's almost a given that a solid foundation in boating, in general, and sailing, specifically, is a non negotiable requirement before you begin a trip of such monumental proportions. What makes this true adventure story so incredible is that the young couple, Ali and Pat, had a total of fourteen hours between them sailing, and almost no other boating experience of any kind, prior to leaving Florida, armed with only confidence that they could do this, and a used boat, they named Bumfuzzle.
The only reason they had any sailing experience at all, was because they each took a single day, seven hour class, to learn how to sail, in preparation for the trip. They have taken a lot of flack from the boating community, which considers their undertaking to be nothing short of reckless and their sucess gets attributed, I'm sure, to dum luck.
This amazing experience would never happened to any conventional couple, and this story could never have been told by any self-identifying SAILOR. That is absolutely part of the charm of Bumfuzzle. There is no ego here or fear, on the part of the author that other sailors might be critical of the many mistakes made and lack of knowledge displayed by these two sailing novices.
This book is so authentic and real. There isn't any any attempt to try to make themselves look better, or to cover up the numerous rookie mistakes they made as they overcame the steep learning curve, and conquered the world. They are so green that they often don't know the proper names for the various rigging that is found on their boat, and sometimes not even the purpose of that rigging. There are some things, on their boat, they never learn the purpose of and other items, they realize, well into the trip, they have been using incorrectly, causing them to exert way more effort, than was necessary.
And you know what, it is okay that other sailors probably scoff at the couple, who in fact, now have more sailing experience, (having covered more miles in a greater variety of places) than most of them ever will. I just have a feeling, many of those sailors have not only heard of the couple, but probably also read their book, if only to inform their disdain. For those of us non-sailors, I don't know the name of most of the rigging found on a boat, and it in no way minimized my enjoyment of the story. When Pat describes something, it was always clear what he meant, even without technical jargon.
This is a great book and an opportunity to experience exactly what Ali and Pat experienced, and to take a virtual realistic trip around the world. I have nothing but admiration for these two modern day adventurers. I am so grateful they made the effort to share their experience with the rest of us. It takes courage to tell the RAW truth, when it will embolden your critics. But we already know...courage ISN'T something Ali and Pat have a short supply of!!
Next →
Cid Herman
This true adventure story is so worth your time!
October 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
Format: Kindle Edition
Bumfuzzle has got to be is one of the best adventures you can experience vicariously. Let's face it: circumnavigating the globe on a small sailboat isn't something most people are ever going to get to do. It is expensive, it is time consuming, it takes some mechanical ability and it is considered dangerous. A trip like this seems both daunting and terrifying.
It's almost a given that a solid foundation in boating, in general, and sailing, specifically, is a non negotiable requirement before you begin a trip of such monumental proportions. What makes this true adventure story so incredible is that the young couple, Ali and Pat, had a total of fourteen hours between them sailing, and almost no other boating experience of any kind, prior to leaving Florida, armed with only confidence that they could do this, and a used boat, they named Bumfuzzle.
The only reason they had any sailing experience at all, was because they each took a single day, seven hour class, to learn how to sail, in preparation for the trip. They have taken a lot of flack from the boating community, which considers their undertaking to be nothing short of reckless and their sucess gets attributed, I'm sure, to dum luck.
This amazing experience would never happened to any conventional couple, and this story could never have been told by any self-identifying SAILOR. That is absolutely part of the charm of Bumfuzzle. There is no ego here or fear, on the part of the author that other sailors might be critical of the many mistakes made and lack of knowledge displayed by these two sailing novices.
This book is so authentic and real. There isn't any any attempt to try to make themselves look better, or to cover up the numerous rookie mistakes they made as they overcame the steep learning curve, and conquered the world. They are so green that they often don't know the proper names for the various rigging that is found on their boat, and sometimes not even the purpose of that rigging. There are some things, on their boat, they never learn the purpose of and other items, they realize, well into the trip, they have been using incorrectly, causing them to exert way more effort, than was necessary.
And you know what, it is okay that other sailors probably scoff at the couple, who in fact, now have more sailing experience, (having covered more miles in a greater variety of places) than most of them ever will. I just have a feeling, many of those sailors have not only heard of the couple, but probably also read their book, if only to inform their disdain. For those of us non-sailors, I don't know the name of most of the rigging found on a boat, and it in no way minimized my enjoyment of the story. When Pat describes something, it was always clear what he meant, even without technical jargon.
This is a great book and an opportunity to experience exactly what Ali and Pat experienced, and to take a virtual realistic trip around the world. I have nothing but admiration for these two modern day adventurers. I am so grateful they made the effort to share their experience with the rest of us. It takes courage to tell the RAW truth, when it will embolden your critics. But we already know...courage ISN'T something Ali and Pat have a short supply of!!
Next →
July 10, 2023
I enjoy travel books, so despite the rather ridiculous title of this one I figured I'd give it a go. Reading about a couple sailing around the world with no prior experience would at least be good for a chuckle, right? Well, I did laugh while reading this, and enjoyed Patrick and Ali's adventures... but I'd hoped for a little more about the places he actually visited, instead of just endless descriptions of sailing.
Patrick and Ali were well-off and comfortable, having achieved what seemed to be the dream life... but they found themselves restless and longing for adventure. So the two of them sold almost all of their worldly possessions, purchased a catamaran (a double-hulled sailing ship) they named the "Bumfuzzle," and set off to sail around the world with only a few hours of sailing experience under their belts. What could go wrong, they figured? Plenty, it turned out, and their journey would take them three years through storms, kerfluffles with immigration and customs in multiple countries, encounters with whales and dolphins, and their own inexperience. But it would also be an eye-opening adventure for the two of them...
Like I said in the intro, I would have liked to have seen more about the actual countries these two visited. We get some tantalizing tidbits here and there, but much of the book is about sailing... and sailing... and sailing. It's almost as if the author wanted to pass on the monotony of the act to the reader. Not to say it's all boring, but I'd hoped for more travelogue and less sailing terminology. Ah well. At least he doesn't skimp on relating tales of sea life encounters and storms, which help break up the monotony.
The stories he does share about the places they visited and the people they met are fascinating, however, especially since Patrick and his wife visited quite a few countries that most people don't think twice about. He tells his tale with humor and wit, yet also with an appreciation for his newfound lifestyle and little patience for the gatekeepers who treat the "cruising" lifestyle as an elitist sport. For its flaws, it's still an entertaining read.
If you're looking for a travelogue, you'll be a little disappointed in this read. But it's still a funny and entertaining around-the-world adventure, and kind of makes me want to sell everything and go buy a boat...
Patrick and Ali were well-off and comfortable, having achieved what seemed to be the dream life... but they found themselves restless and longing for adventure. So the two of them sold almost all of their worldly possessions, purchased a catamaran (a double-hulled sailing ship) they named the "Bumfuzzle," and set off to sail around the world with only a few hours of sailing experience under their belts. What could go wrong, they figured? Plenty, it turned out, and their journey would take them three years through storms, kerfluffles with immigration and customs in multiple countries, encounters with whales and dolphins, and their own inexperience. But it would also be an eye-opening adventure for the two of them...
Like I said in the intro, I would have liked to have seen more about the actual countries these two visited. We get some tantalizing tidbits here and there, but much of the book is about sailing... and sailing... and sailing. It's almost as if the author wanted to pass on the monotony of the act to the reader. Not to say it's all boring, but I'd hoped for more travelogue and less sailing terminology. Ah well. At least he doesn't skimp on relating tales of sea life encounters and storms, which help break up the monotony.
The stories he does share about the places they visited and the people they met are fascinating, however, especially since Patrick and his wife visited quite a few countries that most people don't think twice about. He tells his tale with humor and wit, yet also with an appreciation for his newfound lifestyle and little patience for the gatekeepers who treat the "cruising" lifestyle as an elitist sport. For its flaws, it's still an entertaining read.
If you're looking for a travelogue, you'll be a little disappointed in this read. But it's still a funny and entertaining around-the-world adventure, and kind of makes me want to sell everything and go buy a boat...
September 13, 2018
I admire the chutzpah needed to do what the authors did, though at times it does seem a bit baffling that they spent so much time sailing around the world when they don't actually like to sail. Still, at the end of the day I guess having your own catamaran is a great way to get to out of the way places and explore them, which is clearly the part of the experience that they actually enjoyed.
As for the book itself, it's at times interesting and occasionally mildly amusing, but it does get a bit 'samey' and there's sometimes an air of unwarranted smugness to it. Still, hats off to them for achieving what they set out to do.
I reckon my grandfather, who once sailed from the Seychelles to the Med with the navigation plan "go west until you see Africa and then turn right" would have loved it.
As for the book itself, it's at times interesting and occasionally mildly amusing, but it does get a bit 'samey' and there's sometimes an air of unwarranted smugness to it. Still, hats off to them for achieving what they set out to do.
I reckon my grandfather, who once sailed from the Seychelles to the Med with the navigation plan "go west until you see Africa and then turn right" would have loved it.
November 13, 2021
Worth Reading
Goodness, where to start…
This is a book with many contradictions. Some so jarring that at times I wondered how much was truth and how much was made up. Examples include at one point the author was wishing he had davots for his dingy and a bit later he is talking about fixing the cracks in his davots. Then there was the drama when the greasy water tank leaked and they only had a gallon or so of water for a long passage…then he goes on about his water maker. The author’s attitude was grating at times. At other times I could totally get what he was saying.
These two started off as absolute amateurs to sailing and managed to make it around the world…quite an accomplishment. But they seemed lucky…as in walking blindfolded through a cage of sleeping tigers lucky. But they did do it, so…
At any rate, it was a good read which I quite enjoyed.
Goodness, where to start…
This is a book with many contradictions. Some so jarring that at times I wondered how much was truth and how much was made up. Examples include at one point the author was wishing he had davots for his dingy and a bit later he is talking about fixing the cracks in his davots. Then there was the drama when the greasy water tank leaked and they only had a gallon or so of water for a long passage…then he goes on about his water maker. The author’s attitude was grating at times. At other times I could totally get what he was saying.
These two started off as absolute amateurs to sailing and managed to make it around the world…quite an accomplishment. But they seemed lucky…as in walking blindfolded through a cage of sleeping tigers lucky. But they did do it, so…
At any rate, it was a good read which I quite enjoyed.
January 2, 2018
Sometimes their complaining about sailing gets old, but I suppose anyone as unprepared as these two were would find the long passages boring. I love the fact that even with their miniscule knowledge of doing this kind of thing they did it successfully on their own terms. The included pictures had no captions so they had little meaning. With the attitudes some of the "crusiers" had I can understand their dislike. I'm sure the diehard nautical types will scoff at their abilities, but they did something that most of the diehards would never dare to do, and for that I applaud their guts to do this.
May 31, 2017
I'm not entirely sure why I enjoyed this as much as I did, but there you go. Very easy to read due to the diary format and lack of over-arching storyline, and an interesting take on the whole process. I'm not as offended by his comments about other cruisers as some, I rather like his honesty about being slightly indifferent to sailing and the other people involved, as well as his justifications for taking some potentially questionable decisions (if you were to believe sailing lore).
December 7, 2017
Amazing stories of rokies
Who would believe 2 white collars workers with no nautical experience except 1day of class could sailing around the world. Like 2 toddlers who don't know that it is impossible, these two buy a catamaran . With whimsy and a go for attitude they proof the"cruising community " wrong. Great read and challenge. When are you going to step out of your rut and go for your dream.
Who would believe 2 white collars workers with no nautical experience except 1day of class could sailing around the world. Like 2 toddlers who don't know that it is impossible, these two buy a catamaran . With whimsy and a go for attitude they proof the"cruising community " wrong. Great read and challenge. When are you going to step out of your rut and go for your dream.
September 25, 2020
I enjoyed this book. Having read through the other comments, I find that I disagree and I do think that this book is well worth a read. Yes, the author is a bit critical of the cruising community and it truth, if you can't take a little criticism how is it that you weather all those other storms? I enjoyed the read, as someone else has said it's a sailing journal presenting the authors point of view. And I very much enjoy hearing a different point of view. I recommend giving this book a read.
August 8, 2018
A nicely told tale of getting away from it all and not fitting in with the yacht crowd.
This is a lovely cocktail of independent free spirits, mixed with wanderlust, entertaining observations and a twist of practicality.
A lighthearted, easy read of a fabulous adventure which takes in the world, piracy, corruption and some fabulous characters and attitudes.
Enjoable armchair travel.
This is a lovely cocktail of independent free spirits, mixed with wanderlust, entertaining observations and a twist of practicality.
A lighthearted, easy read of a fabulous adventure which takes in the world, piracy, corruption and some fabulous characters and attitudes.
Enjoable armchair travel.
June 15, 2020
They do moan a lot and are rather dismissive of any form of learning about sailing and have little respect for weather forecasts and the potencia results of bad weather. I do quite enjoy there get up and go attitude and the sheer fact that they succeeded in what they set out to do on their terms.
August 8, 2021
Loved it!
My ex-husband and I were power boat people...50 foot for 9 years. Great times but still a lot of work to maintaining the upkeep. Just money, money and more money!
But memories to last a lifetime! This wonderful book was a Joy to read and made me want the adventures they had... We live in Florida and stayed mouths in Ft. Lauderdale.
My ex-husband and I were power boat people...50 foot for 9 years. Great times but still a lot of work to maintaining the upkeep. Just money, money and more money!
But memories to last a lifetime! This wonderful book was a Joy to read and made me want the adventures they had... We live in Florida and stayed mouths in Ft. Lauderdale.
June 20, 2017
sigh
I guess I liked the epilog the best. I cannot tell you how lucky these two were on the ocean. I was surprised to learn they didn't like the compass on deck, good thing the computer didn't crash. The disdain for other cruisers I understand, but it got annoying after the first twenty times. I appreciate that they had an idea, set a goal, and did it. Not many do.
I guess I liked the epilog the best. I cannot tell you how lucky these two were on the ocean. I was surprised to learn they didn't like the compass on deck, good thing the computer didn't crash. The disdain for other cruisers I understand, but it got annoying after the first twenty times. I appreciate that they had an idea, set a goal, and did it. Not many do.
December 12, 2019
Quite the modern day adventure. It's a journal, but an extremely fun and entertaining one. Yes, many criticize the authors for their lack of experience however their commitment to the journey is wonderful and sticks with you for a long time.
November 18, 2019
I'm curious if and when I'm able to do just that: Buy a boat, learning by doing and being free. And then I wonder if I would like that as much as I think I would. Hopefully I will see...
March 8, 2020
Enjoyed it
Isaling round the world is something I would never do but appreciated the insight into the life of a couple who had done it, enjoyed it
Isaling round the world is something I would never do but appreciated the insight into the life of a couple who had done it, enjoyed it
May 30, 2020
Sailing around the world
Great story of a couple who packs up their entire lives to sail around the world. Great travel log! Highly recommend!
Great story of a couple who packs up their entire lives to sail around the world. Great travel log! Highly recommend!
January 9, 2017
I picked this book up on the Kindle from Amazon and it cost $0.00! All I can say is that after reading this book, if I had to have paid for it, I wouldn’t have been very happy. Bumfuzzle is the name of the boat that Pat and Ali Schulte bought and circumnavigated the world in. I didn’t like this book on a lot of levels. Firstly, it was the usual travel log. I did this, and then I went there and did that, and after that I did this, and I don’t like sailing, then we went there and did this; I don’t like cruisers either, then we went here, and I don’t like sailing, then we did that, did we mention that we don’t like cruisers? That’s pretty much the book.
As a someone who sails myself, I can see why the cruisers (people who live and sail around the world in their sailboats) and Pat and Ali don’t particularly get on. For Pat and Ali, boats and sailing are just the means to get around the world, it’s not a lifestyle for them. Also they just seem a bit too much full of themselves and their own self-importance.
They make it plainly obvious that they don’t like sailing and find it boring. Going ashore and interacting with the locals is more their cup of tea. Consequently, although they complete some long sea passages, they really don’t have much to write about. The book I read before this one, Roger Taylor’s “Mingming and the Tonic of Wilderness”, is the exact opposite. Roger sails his small boat up to Greenland and the Arctic circle and never sets foot on land. It’s all sailing, but yet it’s intensely fascinating, he writes about himself, the sea and the wildlife he encounters and it’s way more fascinating to read than Bumfuzzle. If you need a book to inspire you to sell up your belongings, buy a boat and sail off looking for adventure, then this isn’t the book for that.
As a someone who sails myself, I can see why the cruisers (people who live and sail around the world in their sailboats) and Pat and Ali don’t particularly get on. For Pat and Ali, boats and sailing are just the means to get around the world, it’s not a lifestyle for them. Also they just seem a bit too much full of themselves and their own self-importance.
They make it plainly obvious that they don’t like sailing and find it boring. Going ashore and interacting with the locals is more their cup of tea. Consequently, although they complete some long sea passages, they really don’t have much to write about. The book I read before this one, Roger Taylor’s “Mingming and the Tonic of Wilderness”, is the exact opposite. Roger sails his small boat up to Greenland and the Arctic circle and never sets foot on land. It’s all sailing, but yet it’s intensely fascinating, he writes about himself, the sea and the wildlife he encounters and it’s way more fascinating to read than Bumfuzzle. If you need a book to inspire you to sell up your belongings, buy a boat and sail off looking for adventure, then this isn’t the book for that.
October 10, 2022
Sailing around the world with a boat, a blonde, and a brash attitude.
I've never been on a sailboat in my life and never had any interest in doing so. And yet, I don't know when I've enjoyed a book so much. I suspect that being around the author would quickly exhaust me, but he's a delight to read about.
His years as a trader in the Chicago Stock Exchange gave him boundless confidence and daring. He was lucky enough to be married to a woman who shares his fearless approach to life. She LITERALLY "can't boil an egg" but she's so photogenic that she was chosen to star in a National Geographic documentary. They are perfectly matched - happy to eat at Taco Bell every day, but able to manage on sodas and Doritos when the going gets tough. This is a match made in Junk Food Heaven.
I bet this book ruffled some feathers among the snooty cruising crowd and I almost wet myself laughing several times when he described the herd mentality and mindless idiocy of some of the people who are so proud of being "full-time sailors." Most of those people are middle-aged and well-financed. Sadly, instead of encouraging young folks to be adventurous, they seem to be insulted that youngsters have the nerve to buck the system. I've read of other young sailing couples who met with similar attitudes. I suspect that the retirees (of whom I am one) feel that the young folks haven't "earned" their freedom. What a silly attitude.
I enjoyed this book and I developed a great affection and admiration for this young couple. I hope Patrick keeps having adventures and writing about them. He's an inspiration and a very entertaining guy.
I've never been on a sailboat in my life and never had any interest in doing so. And yet, I don't know when I've enjoyed a book so much. I suspect that being around the author would quickly exhaust me, but he's a delight to read about.
His years as a trader in the Chicago Stock Exchange gave him boundless confidence and daring. He was lucky enough to be married to a woman who shares his fearless approach to life. She LITERALLY "can't boil an egg" but she's so photogenic that she was chosen to star in a National Geographic documentary. They are perfectly matched - happy to eat at Taco Bell every day, but able to manage on sodas and Doritos when the going gets tough. This is a match made in Junk Food Heaven.
I bet this book ruffled some feathers among the snooty cruising crowd and I almost wet myself laughing several times when he described the herd mentality and mindless idiocy of some of the people who are so proud of being "full-time sailors." Most of those people are middle-aged and well-financed. Sadly, instead of encouraging young folks to be adventurous, they seem to be insulted that youngsters have the nerve to buck the system. I've read of other young sailing couples who met with similar attitudes. I suspect that the retirees (of whom I am one) feel that the young folks haven't "earned" their freedom. What a silly attitude.
I enjoyed this book and I developed a great affection and admiration for this young couple. I hope Patrick keeps having adventures and writing about them. He's an inspiration and a very entertaining guy.
December 6, 2011
I liked that this book got me excited about traveling and fueled my desire to sail around the world. But, I would probably not be friends with the author. He comes across as pretty cocky and talks a lot of crap about the sailing and cruising community. I'm about the same age as him but in a very different income bracket. I bought a 36 foot sail boat with two friends to sail across the pacific but we took a lot more time getting ready largely due the fact that we had much less money than Pat and Ali. We were in constant need of help and advice and the people from the sailing community always seemed very kind and charitable to me. I hope to someday make it all the way around the world but I think I'll go about it much differently.
March 22, 2014
Bumfuzzle is the story of a couple's journey around the world in a catamaran (for which the book is named). They had almost no prior sailing experience and spoke no language besides English. It was certainly an interesting read - I got the sense that sailing around the world is a) possible b) involves very long stretches of open-sea sailing that could drive me insane. Seems sort of miraculous that they survived - but I guess maybe circumnavigation isn't quite as tricky as it was in Magellan's day?
April 8, 2016
I must confess that it was the title that drew me to this book but I really enjoyed these sailing adventures. Pat & Ali grew world weary when they realised that making money was not really making them happy they decide to sail around the world.-as you do!
Their laid back attitude should have led to total disaster before they left US waters but maybe that was the key to their success. I really enjoyed seeing the world through their eyes.
Their laid back attitude should have led to total disaster before they left US waters but maybe that was the key to their success. I really enjoyed seeing the world through their eyes.
July 20, 2011
This was interesting to read on many levels in terms of world sailing. I did find the main character a little grating at times - between his inexperience and his bravado. But on the other hand, he doesn't claim to always know what he's doing and they do learn as they go. By the end of the book they had won me over a bit more. Reading about the various places they went was fun too.
January 5, 2011
Followed these two on their blog from their Pacific Crossing. Great travelogue. Great for kids too. Nice photos and a nice addition to the reports on the blog. Still follow them as they prepare for more sialing with their new "fuzzle".
November 23, 2011
Very Interesting and a wonderful accomplishment for this couple. The best thing about this book is that it imparts to the read that desires can be accomplished regardless of your situation or station. They weren't sailors, they were world travelers...they just did it! That is the key to life.
August 1, 2012
Love this book. Love the bums. Fantastic travel stories. Their blog is full of stunning photographs from around the world. Live vicariously or get motivated. You can not go wrong starting with the book.
November 4, 2012
I gave this book a 5 star rating because we are friends with Pat and Ali. It is a great book though and between you and me it is a solid 4! Read it and get swept up in the excitement of possibilities.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews