Ocean Crossing Wayfarer by Frank and Margaret Dye

Boomshanka · #1 18-10-09, 12:26

Dye, F & Dye, M. (2006) Ocean Crossing Wayfarer: To Iceland and Norway in a 16ft Open Dinghy, 2nd Ed., Adlard Coles Nautical

Well, what an interesting couple and a right ripping read. Follows the Dyes (although mainly Frank and other crew) in numerous cruises in their 16ft Wayfarer dinghy. No reliance on Gortex clothing or GPS here... really tough characters, surviving F9 storms in their travels over the North Sea and further North than that. Very well written and gives good insights into both practical sailing tips in all weathers and the psychology necessary to continue against some really unpleasant conditions. Pretty awe-inspiring actually... their Wayfarer (named Wanderer) is apparently in the Maritime Museum in Cornwall now.

SAWDOC · #2 18-10-09, 21:43

Crossing an ocean in a 16 ft open boat!!! The mind boggles at the thought!

Boomshanka · #3 26-10-09, 13:54

That's what I thought, but it shows what is possible with the benefit of experience and real seamanship skills. The book gives some good details into the hardships faced though... they must have looked like Michelin men with the amount of layers on! They took turns to sleep with their lower body under the front and then a canvass cover over their upper torso and head. Reached Iceland, Faroe Islands and Norway. One part I couldn't quite believe (and I'm wondering if I'm getting books mixed up here, but I don't think so), is the deployment of oil out of the back of the boat to break up a following swell when the going got really rough... didn't make sense to me but it sounded like a handed down way of dealing with rough weather that Frank would have used. I enjoyed reading this book though.

Dyflin · #4 27-10-09, 15:15

I read the book a couple of months ago after seeing it mentioned a few times. Have to say I was a bit disappointed, the exploits were unquestionably severe, but it's not actually a great read, not as enjoyable as 'Sailing just for fun' for example.

Algol · #5 01-11-09, 12:33

I read it recently. I was staggered at the proportion of time spent on those voyages that they seemed to be right at the edge of or in survival conditions. It seemed reckless, especially given Dye seemed unable to find crew that weren't dangerously incapacitated by seasickness for days on end. For me it wasn't quite the ripping read I had expected.