Red Water Blue Water Salt Water: A Novel about Sailing Away... As a Family

• #17 in Best Sailing Books

7 Reviews

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This is a fun book and a must read for the Caribbean Cruiser, armchair adventurer, and all parents.Vivid views of the picturesque tropics,with colorful characters and a family afloat with unique approaches to living in harmony with nature, the planet's inhabitants, and...each other. A wholesome story and an informative guide.

This candid book proves that a good raconteur can find humor, poignance, and food for thought in any moment--even the days when his family's floating home is in a wretched dry dock for repairs. You don't have to be interested in sailing to smile out loud at the stories of the two voyages the author made (first) with his wife, and (later) his wife and two young daughters as they plied their way around the Caribbean in (first) a monohull boat and (then) a catamaran. This book--called a novel, but clearly based upon their actual experiences--tells of the agony and ecstasy of sailing as a family. While they did not embark unprepared, the family went through a toughening process and technical learning curve reminiscent of someone thru-hiking on the Appalachian Trail. [People who sail will love these parts of the story.]

The author is not easy on himself as Captain, and he shares the failures and epiphanies that allow him to grow as a husband and father in the close quarters of liveaboard sailing. What makes this book a drawn-along reading experience is the family's obvious appreciation and respect for Nature and the people they meet along the way. They don't just visit memorable places; they get to know unforgettable people. Most of all, they gain an understanding of one another at a time when many families are together very few hours of every day. This book might not make you want to buy a boat and go sailing on the open ocean, but it will get you thinking about the amount of time you spend with your family.

This book was our book club selection for July. The writer vividly describes his family's voyage to exotic and sometimes dangerous places in a style that is both poignant and humorous. As the family members adjust and connect to the patterns and rhythms of the earth they also discover truths about themselves and one another. This is a great read and perfect for any book club. There was much to talk about- the voyages, relationships, our country's connections to the rest of the world, parenting, family, and self-discovery. We were charmed by this family and their journey and did not want the book to end. So good...

Not your typical cruising book. Todd provides an entertaining voice through humor and introspective. The weaving of two voyages provides a "recess" for the reader use to a typical mundane chronological outline normally found in this type of book. Todd's honesty seeps through the pages as does the love for his family and friends. I recommend this book not as a guideline to cruising, although the plights and challenges are easily related by anyone who has ventured away from their home latitude, but how one family's sacrafice, adventure and seasicknes(ness) created a gift that is always there to be opened.
-Des'a

Interesting from beginning to end. "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" about sailing, cruising, marriage, family and life. Honest, informal, conversational style ("Dear Reader") kept me smiling and turning the pages. A great read.

The joy of reading this book is that it shares this family's joys and struggles
in such a way that you don't need to know a thing about sailing to enjoy it. They
made meticulous travel arrangements which helped them traverse through some of
the uncomfortable snags along the watery way. Todd's humor kept them bouyant.
No salty tears here. I have to admire Diane's fortitude. She endured her phobia
of darkness("pulling a sweater over her head was like a Stephen King nightmare")
and she brought gravity to several situations.
I pray that the "Scants" haven't "swallowed the anchor" and will be back on the
water whatever color it may turn out to be.

I didn't want the adventure to end. Honest and transparent. I always thought I'd enjoy this kind of adventure but viewed that through rose-colored glasses. This book reveals the actual ups and downs of cruising. So many laughs and insights. Thanks Todd!