You Can't Blow Home Again

One of the best sailing books I've read. I sure wish he'd write more!

Both of these books ("Blown Away" and "You Can't Blow Home Again") are great and should be read one after the other (The second is the continuing saga). The true story of a family that sells everything to buy a boat and sail around the world. They only make it as far as the south pacific, but it makes for year after year of adventures. As a sailor myself (coastal, not blue water) I felt he did a great job of capturing the sharp contrast between the elation, exhilaration and sheer terror that can be found in sailing. Mr. Payson's honest, care free and "oh well" attitude is something that I wish I could capture for myself. Someone who does not mind laughing at himself.I only have one critique of the books. Mr. Payson uses nautical terms and the names of boat parts as if they are a part of everyone's daily vocabulary. I sail a simple sloop configuration and can name every component that is applicable to our boat. But his repeated use of terms unique to multi-masted, wooden masted, bow-sprinted boats kept sending me to the nautical dictionary. Since the book does not appear to be targeted at highly experienced sailors, a little more explanation would have been nice.

With Herb Payson and his wife and stepson as they begin the vacation of a lifetime. Payson is a witty, experienced sailor who writes about his family's adventures while sailing in the South Pacific onboard their 36 ft. wooden ketch, Sea Foam. Their journey begins as a necessity, but soon becomes an adventure with a few sailing lessons and detours thrown in. Payson's writing style is simple, funny, informative and addictive. Anyone who dreams of a cruising life should read this book. Anyone who has never even seen a sailboat would love the self-effacing humor of Payson and the beautiful descriptive narratives of the islands they visit and the genuine appreciation he has of the local people who live there. This book is one that will leave you wanting to read more of Payson's sea adventures.