I loved reading this book, enough to refer to it often, knowing the answers are in this very enjoyable read, as I prepare for a day in the distant future that I hope to cross an ocean under power.

If your plans are to own/operate/maintain any power boat, I highly recommend this book.

I am aware that everytime I leave the dock, I am at the bottom of the food chain.

Thanks Ken for creating the time and giving of yourself so freely in writing this wonderful book.

Enjoy your journey,

joe

I’ve never owned a boat - and probably never will - but I do appreciate a good narrative.

I used to know Ken Williams (the author) in his old life as a programmer, and a mutual old friend passed his book along to me recently. I didn't expect I would ever take the time to read it, but intended to show it off to others that used to know Ken and his wife from their glory days as computer game developers.

On a recent flight, I found I had no other reading material but Crossing an Ocean under Power in my carry-on. I started reading and didn't put it down until hours later when my plane touched down. I was so caught up in Ken's travels that I didn't even realize the plane was on the ground!

I have to admit I always viewed the big yachts as "pleasure craft" and rich men’s toys. I was clearly wrong. After reading this book, I have a new apprecaition for this pursuit and an even greater respect for the men and women who pursue it.

Ken's in-depth descriptions of the preparation, maintenance and just sheer amount of "Stuff" involved in his pursuit provided a real education. With plain language descriptions of what things do, how they work and what happens when they don't, the book is entertaining and readable. It's a real insiders look at what to expect when you challenge the big ocean in a small boat, what can go wrong, and how to do it right.

Reading through the book, I really got the feeling of being along for the ride. It was a great narrative that kept the pages turning. From the broken bolts and expensive repairs to the dancing dolphins off the bow and simple joys of a star filled sky as seen from the center of the ocean, I felt like I shared Ken’s frustrations when the bad things happened and enjoyed the ride when everything was running smooth. It was quite a book.

I do share the other reviewers sentiments that it would have been great to have color pictures in the book, but it does say (on about every third page) that photos from his trip are available at www.trawlersweb.com, and they were still there last time I checked. (Worth the download time too – even for us unlucky souls on dial-up.) The b&w photos in the book aren’t bad, but it’s the words that make this one worth the money.

An instructive book and also an armchair odyssey. Definitely worth $20!

I followed the NAR Rally closely and was excited that someone took the initiative to publish the event. After Ken sent an e-mail via the Trawlerweb stating that he took on this task I browsed Lulu's website, downloaded the sample PDF file and liked the layout, i.e. color pics.

I ordered the book on the 13th of December 2004 and received it a few days later (today 21 Dec.) and found that the pictures are black and white and very grainy. I don't understand why the PDF shows color pics and the real thing is a grainy b/w photo. I love the way Ken wrote of his adventure, maybe I got a bad print, but for $19.95 I felt I was getting color pictures of this adventure and expected more for my money...Just My $19.95 worth....Jeff


Update 22 Dec 04 - I want to clarify my position on Ken's book. My first response may read too harshly on Ken himself. I love the book and makes for fine, easy reading, but if someone was thinking of relying on the pics to tell the story, they may be somewhat disappointed , maybe the PDF route might be best.

After reading Ken's reply to my first post, I now feel that he is trying hard to communicate his adventure to those interested and deserves applause, IMO, for his effort....

Jeff

JPower is right -- the actual printed book is black and white. My apologies if the preview mislead anyone. I just received my copy of the book today. The paper is good, the overall print quality is good, and the pictures in Black/White are not bad. I definitely believe the pictures bring the text to life. They are not nearly as nice as if they were in color, but the physical print cost, in low quantity, would be over $40 per copy, for a book of 300 pages! Unfortunately, the market for nautical books is reasonably small. As I write this, there are probably under 200 people who have taken small power boats across the Atlantic. If all of them, plus everyone thinking about doing the same, buys the book -- the book still has a really tiny market. Maybe someday the market will grow, or printing costs will fall....

-Ken Williams