I’ve had such a good time reading this book!
In 1974, a young couple – Ben and Helen Harrison – left San Francisco and headed down to Costa Rica (an adventure in itself!) to build a cruising boat. Just after New Year’s 1977, they launched it, went through the Panama Canal and cruised up to Key West, where they still live.
Anyone who has even contemplated building a boat or who has spent time doing a major project in a country where you don’t really speak the language, knows just how big of an accomplishment this is. Lots of boats are started; few make it to the water.
But this isn’t a dry story of finding boat parts and doing work. No, Ben Harrison has written a humorous tale of a young couple trying to figure out how to make things work in a foreign culture. Yep, it’s their true story.
Working with a fiberglass factory in Costa Rica, they build what becomes the prototype of the Cabo Rico 38. The factory built the bare hull, then they did everything else themselves. From figuring out the layout to creating it, getting teak logs milled into planks and then laminating them into the curves needed on the boat, plumbing and wiring to building a dinghy and stepping the mast.
And they had fun, both with building the boat and just in living. The story of having a pig roast is hilarious as is getting the boat from the highlands where they built it down to the water. And then they began cruising – long before GPS and learning to take sextant sightings as they went.
Great book, highly recommended! If you have a Kindle or the Kindle app on your tablet or laptop, the Kindle edition is a steal at just $3.99!
P.S. I also got a copy of Ben’s audio CD, Destino. Ben has played in many of the Key West bars . . . if you like Jimmy Buffett’s music, you’ll like Ben’s songs. Most are his own compositions – my favorite is “Short on Underwear” which captures the all-too-frequent essence of cruising.
Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Here’s your “Quick Start” to everything you need to know when living on a boat:
And check out our other courses and products
JP Pedro says
Ahahah. You might be right. Religion change it all for convenience.
Kris Steyn says
Current price $6.83 , still a good price
The Boat Galley says
Sorry about that. I checked it yesterday.
Debra Perfitt says
Merry Christmas from La Cruz Mexico from the #CoastalDrifter Crew ⛵️
Sandy Lee says
That’s great Helen. Sending wishes to you and Ben for a new year filled with new memories. <3
June Ruby says
That book was a fun, interesting read. We had a particular interest since our boat is a Cabo Rico 42; loved reading about the company history.
Beth Browne says
Great tip, we’re getting a copy right now! If you haven’t read Carole Ann Borges book (she’s Fatty Goodlander’s sister!), Dreamseeker’s Daughter, I highly recommend it. She’s actually a better writer and storyteller imo than Fatty. but don’t tell him I said that. I’m a Fatty fan too.
June Ruby says
Love the book – home of our Cabo Rico 42. Amazing
Patty Makowski says
Thanks for the recommendation – I’m always looking for good reads.
If you talk to them ask if they know Liz O’Connor. She’s been singing at various places around Key West for the last 20 years or so and is currently appearing nightly at Mallory Square. Almost everyone in town knows her.
Anonymous says
Put on my Christmas list please