Around the World Rally

This book follows the yachts and events surrounding an around the world cruising rally. The story, on the surface, is one of playful extranvegance. It is about rich people having fun on sailboats.Sailors will read the book at another level. What was the outcome of all those preparations? How did perception match up with reality? What works and what doesn't? All the information is right there for sailors to absorb.This writer's take-away: keep it simple and keep it fun.Next time sailors gather at a yacht club to talk about preparing for the big voyage; readers of this book will be able to chime in with authority.

This is the mantra of every sailor - and every boating book at least touches on it. Gear breaking, things failing in remote areas where they cannot be fixed; this is the nightmare of the cruising sailor.This book recounts the adventures and joys, highs and lows, of a group of racer/cruisers who sailed together on a rally. Lin and Larry Pardey, who cruise as cheaply as they can, were probably appalled at the amount of money casually thrown around here. They claim in their book, 'Cost-Conscious Cruiser' that information in this book supports their thesis that cruising simply, without fancy equipment, is the way to go.Well, if you believe them, read this book. Overall, the folks here seem delighted with their fancy gadgets. Those whose gadgets failed are not looking to simplify next time; instead, they'll buy higher-rated brands.Cost-conscious cruising received a real blow in this book - the winner of the race was the fellow who said in the beginning that he would spend whatever it took to win. He did. He won. No fairy tales here.So if you want to save a few bucks when cruising, buy this book, benefit from what these nice rich people found out, and follow the Pardeys' sage advice, as given in their book: Never, but never, ever, attend a cruising rally.