'Nobody grows old living a number of years; people grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.' When Crispin Latymer hit 50 he had a 'What now?' moment - and decided he wanted to sail the Atlantic solo. But he was no intrepid adventurer - Latymer was an ordinary sailor, used to cruising the coasts of the UK, who wanted to do something memorable before he was too old. His voyage turned into an epic. Only two days into his trip, Latymer was caught by Tropical Storm Delta. During the following 23 days he also broke two ribs, was followed by pirates in a scary incident off the Mauritanian coast, and then broke a toe. He describes it all as 'magical'. Writing in an understated, inspirational way that speaks to ordinary sailors just like himself, Crispin's captivating story will encourage other cosy cruisers to break out of their comfort zone and dare to push their boundaries to where the ocean meets the sky.
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'...a riveting read with actual relevance to those planning such a trip...real sailing - real emotion.' --Practical Boat Owner
'For those whose aspirations to sail solo are in their infancy this is a very worthwhile book including his "Lessons Learnt". --Royal Naval Sailing Association Journal
'The book is very readable, and the author has achieved much of what many of us of a similar vintage would like to achieve before we run out of time.' --Nautical Magazine
'For those whose aspirations to sail solo are in their infancy this is a very worthwhile book including his "Lessons Learnt". --Royal Naval Sailing Association Journal
'The book is very readable, and the author has achieved much of what many of us of a similar vintage would like to achieve before we run out of time.' --Nautical Magazine
About the Author
Crispin Latymer works in London's financial markets and had sailed with family and friends in the UK and Europe for many years before setting out on his epic solo Atlantic crossing. He undertook the voyage in 2005 for charity and raised GBP40,000 in the process.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this one of the best written books on sailing I have ever read - and I haven't had a moment's hesitation in recommending it to all my friends - even to those with barely any interest in sailing. And I think that is the magic of Crispin Latymer's writing. He turns what could be a rough-tough all masculine adventure into a fascinating insight into taking on an adventure into, literally, the unknown.
I think one of the best ways to start the book is to read his wife's view of the whole adventure, encapsulated in a few pages at the back as an Appendix. I defy anyone not to be touched by the humour, love and dedication that shines through.
For those that want to hear about his adventure, it's there too, and plenty of it. As a self-confessed sailing enthusiast I loved the story and the detail. I was right there as he strapped himself into his berth and rode out Hurricane Delta; hopefully as close as I ever want to be to a hurricane. I hope too, never to be confronted with a boat shadowing me and behaving very like a pirate. If you want exhilaration, his description of surfing his 40 foot yacht down 4 metre waves at nearly 12 knots takes some beating. Solo too! But then, perhaps that was why he ended up surfing in 20 knots of wind!
I think the combination of humour and humility turn this from another me-too adventure story into something much more. What starts as a tale of an ordinary person tackling an adventure turns into a remarkable tale of an extraordinary person going out there and actually grabbing his dream.
I'm not sure which is the better endorsement; that I couldn't put it down or that my wife swiped the book off me and read it throughout too!
I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending it.
I think one of the best ways to start the book is to read his wife's view of the whole adventure, encapsulated in a few pages at the back as an Appendix. I defy anyone not to be touched by the humour, love and dedication that shines through.
For those that want to hear about his adventure, it's there too, and plenty of it. As a self-confessed sailing enthusiast I loved the story and the detail. I was right there as he strapped himself into his berth and rode out Hurricane Delta; hopefully as close as I ever want to be to a hurricane. I hope too, never to be confronted with a boat shadowing me and behaving very like a pirate. If you want exhilaration, his description of surfing his 40 foot yacht down 4 metre waves at nearly 12 knots takes some beating. Solo too! But then, perhaps that was why he ended up surfing in 20 knots of wind!
I think the combination of humour and humility turn this from another me-too adventure story into something much more. What starts as a tale of an ordinary person tackling an adventure turns into a remarkable tale of an extraordinary person going out there and actually grabbing his dream.
I'm not sure which is the better endorsement; that I couldn't put it down or that my wife swiped the book off me and read it throughout too!
I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By SA
Format:Paperback
Thrilled to find this book. Approaching 50, the author did what many mid lifers have thought about but dismissed as 'too late' - a transatlantic. What's more, he made it sound acheivable. He went solo (which I wouldn't), but I was really interested in the tips and lessons learned section, especially the consideration given to practical issues. Good everyday advice learned fom experience rather than books. I never realised that the Trade Winds could be quite so genuinely challenging. A great read, strongly recommend it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read the first edition of this book and really enjoyed it. It is a good mix of the nautical techie stuff, with enough boys own adventure to keep one engaged, but also with an interesting unsentimental insight into the authors personal life and feelings as he undertook the trip. Honest. Funny. I have lent my copy to others who have enjoyed it - and not sailors either. Interesting. It made me both laugh and cry.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Where the Ocean Meets the Sky
Basically the story about a wealthy man who solo sails across the Atlantic in his fabulously equipped yacht. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Hally
5.0 out of 5 stars
What can be achieved !!
At the beginning of another year, its easy to make those resolutions about how one is going to change ones life . By Easter most have been forgotten or given up on . Read more
Published 16 months ago by Henry Green
1.0 out of 5 stars
Posh boy with father complex
Practically unreadable unless you like the constant repetition of "I". I stopped reading after page 25, browsed through the next tranche of pages and then gave up.
Published 24 months ago by pl
5.0 out of 5 stars
A life changing voyage of 23 days
Before he set out to travel singlehandedly across the Atlantic, Crispin Latymer was a banker who liked to sail. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by Hans G. Hoser
4.0 out of 5 stars
Life begins at 50!
This is an interesting account of an amateur sailor who put himself to the test of crossing the Atlantic single handed. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by Mr. David A. Cane
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rich banker gets splashed
It is interesting to compare the experience of this wealthy solo trans-Atlantic sailer to those of some of the less-well-off who have preceded him. Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2009 by Proctor P. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
From an armchair adventurer
Like other challenges, it's not until one is given the opportunity to understand the full consequences of such a mission, that the enormity, ever-present danger and guts required... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2009 by Diana Bourne
5.0 out of 5 stars
At sea
As someone who feels sick looking at a boat, I was surprised to find myself tempted to undertake such a challenging journey, but good sense prevailed! Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2009 by Anon
4.0 out of 5 stars
A warm mug of a read.
Much enjoyed reading this book - was fortunate enough to meet Crispin at the boat show in Southampton this year, where he signed a copy to me personally. Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2009 by RW
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