Flirting with Mermaids
The Unpredictable Life of a Sailboat Delivery SkipperBy John Kretschmer
224 pp. 29 b&w photos. 2003. Paperback. $14.95
ISBN 1 57409 164 6
|
|
|
Kretschmer's hugely successful and wildly entertaining Flirting with Mermaids is now available in paperback.
In twenty years of delivering sailboats to far flung quaysides, John Kretschmer has had innumerable adventures, both humorous and terrifying, ranging from a Western Caribbean research voyage with a crew of eccentric Swedes to the mid-winter crossing of the North Atlantic during which he discovered the existence of Force 13 winds. He has sailed a wide variety of ships, from an 80-year-old ketch that tried to sink itself to a sleek Swan 44 that blasted around Cape Hatteras, and has encountered along the way a diverse collection of characters, from Dan Rather and Richard Simmons to Hurricanes Bob, Floyd, and Grace.
Sprinkled throughout with practical information about sailboats and the sea, this engaging narrative brims with optimism and humor, the two most important tools in any delivery skipper's sea bag.
“…a wonderfully beguiling tale of the open sea and faraway ports…” —Sailing
“…a delight to read.” —Living Aboard
“…[a] salty story full of humor, insight and affection…” —Offshore
“Highly recommended reading for those who enjoy true yarns spun tall and told well…” —Midwest Book Review
“…extremely well-written and easy to follow. Plenty of good insight into what can be expected when you are out there for days at a time.” —Latitudes & Attitudes
“…a worthwhile, as well as an entertaining, read.” —Good Old Boat
“…a great read. Kretschmer's tone is gently self-mocking, his love of life – especially life at sea – engaging, his enthusiasm contagious.” —Caribbean Compass
“Not only has John Kretschmer lived a life wildly festooned with adventure, romance and outrageous characters - his reality outstrapping our most Walter Mittyesque sea fantasies - now he has gone and turned it all into a collection of yarns that incite yet more envy among those of us stuck behind landbound computers. Not only can the sailor sail–through hurricanes and civil wars–but the sailor can write. It's a hell of a read. It's just not fair.”
—Fred Grimm, Miami Herald columnist
“Flirting with Mermaids follows John as he delivers a variety of boats around the world, from aging hulks with a fondness for the bottom to luxury yachts owned by would-be circumnavigators. While he's doing this, with a conscripted crew of friends, relatives, his wife, and total strangers found holding empty glasses at beach bars, he's also learning about navigating the uncharted territory of his heart. The glamorous life of a professional sailor? Here's the straight story, with humor, salty adventures, and a steep learning curve.” —Gregory O. Jones, editor, Sailing
“As a professional delivery captain, John Kretschmer has done more offshore passagemaking in his first 40 years than most serious sailors do in a lifetime. Part romantic, part poet, part philosopher and 100% optimist, Kretschmer shows his uncanny ability to deliver the wrong yacht in the wrong direction across the wrong ocean at the wrong time of year time and time again, yet end every delivery with the boat safely in port, a smile on his face, good friends at his side, and a few dollars in his pocket. A great story of adventure well-told with warm humor and affection.”
—Milt Baker, Bluewater Books & Charts
“John Kretschmer is a superb seaman, a master story teller, and a delivery skipper of vast experience. His tales of tropical passages and Atlantic gales, of near sinkings and quirky owners will appeal to anyone who dreams of far horizons and tropical beaches. He has written a book of rollicking humor and abundant common sense that any sailor will find hard to put down.” —Brian Fagan, author, archaeologist, and sailor
- See what else the press has to say: Reviews
- To see reader reviews, or to submit comments of your own, visit our Reader Recommendations page.
- To read a selection from this title, please visit our Excerpts page.
Contents:
- Out Of The Closet
- A Shallow Water Appointment
- A Show of Presence
- Famous
- Yacht Delivery 101
- A Waterfront Office
- Red Sky By Morn
- She Drives Me Crazy
- Just Another Crossing
- Force Unlucky
- A Home Delivery
About the Author:
John Kretschmer has been a sailboat delivery skipper for over 20 years and has made over 100 deliveries. He is the author of Used Boat Notebook and Cape Horn to Starboard, and has had articles published in numerous boating and travel magazines. He is a contributing editor to Sailing and currently lives in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with his wife Lesa and their two daughters.