An Embarrassment of Mangoes, by Ann Vanderhoof

Join Ann and Steve as they set sail on a 2 year Caribbean cruise. An Embarrassment of Mangoes chronicles two years of sailing from Toronto to Trinidad and back. As Vanderhoof notes, “cruising is a lifestyle, not a vacation;” she documents the lifestyle in a enjoyable and easily read manner. Vanderhoof presents a balanced view of the cruising lifestyle, from the mundane tasks of boat maintenance (lots of sandpaper and cleaning anchor chains), to the fears and pleasures of passage making. Along the way she provides glimpses of island culture and characters while examining her life as it slows down to island time, “jus’ now.” An added bonus are boatloads of recipes for island favorites. This is the book that prompted us to launch Natutical Reads. (Dave, 1/2/08)

The Cruising Lifestyle

Blue Horizons, by Beth Leonard

Blue Horizons is a collection of articles originally appearing in Blue Water Sailing magazine. Presented as a series of expanded log entries or perhaps long letters home, Leonard chronicles a six year sailing adventure through the high latitudes of the northern and southern hemispheres. Blue Horizons is more than a travelogue or the story of a sailing adventure, it is one woman's journey of self-exploration as she and her partner Evan sail around the world.

Blue Horizons is a compelling read. If you're considering an ocean voyage, Blue Horizons is a must read. For the rest of us, it is enjoyable read of one woman's exploration of seldom traveled lands and herself. (Dave, 1/22/08)

Seasoned by Salt, by Jerry Mashew and Anne MacClintock

Who among us has not dreamed about an idyllic life, sailing in paradise, sun, snorkeling, azure blue waters, and tropical refreshments in hand? After sailing for years including frequent charters in the Caribbean, Jerry Mashew and Anne MacClintock set sail from Connecticut to Grenada on a 10-month adventure.

Chronicling a sabbatical cruise is not new; Joshua Slocum first published his story more than 100 years ago. Before that there was Homer’s Odyssey. What sets the authors’ story apart? Why take the time to read it?

For those contemplating a similar voyage, Seasoned with Salt presents a realistic portrayal of life at sea and anchor. Cruising is more than gorgeous sunsets viewed from a cockpit with an “umbrella drink” in hand. It is also about the people and cultures visited, broken boats, seasick crew, and unsettled weather. Other works often gloss over these unpleasantries. Anne and Jerry do not hide the raw truth about cruising on a small sailboat. It can be tough unpleasant work.

As their story unfolds, Anne and Jerry bring forth their experiences and place them in an historical context. Beyond the crescent beaches, swaying palm tree, and mangroves there is an unsettling history. As Mashew presents this history we get to understand and know him, his beliefs, and biases.

From time to time, Mashew’s wife MacClintlock provides a counterpoint to his narrative. While Jerry’s approach is often academic (he is a Yale Law Professor), Anne approaches the cruise from an artist’s perspective, focusing on the emotional experience of cruising. Together a more complete picture of the lifestyle unfolds.

Will Seasoned with Salt convince you to go cruising? No, but reading it is time well spent if you are curious or contemplating a similar adventure.