I have read all his books and some of my favorites are:
- Two Against Cape Horn (out of print but can buy used)
- Always Distance Anchorage (my favorite)
- Chasing the Long Rainbow (BOC race)
Mr. Roth is a different type of author. He writes with good balances among adventure, romace, and engineering. I learned a lot about offshore boat gears from his books and have great respect for those who take long ocean voyages.
He lives in Bar Harbor, Maine and is probably in his late 70's.
1~At the All Sailboat Show Navy Pier, Chicago 2004 I was able to talk to and shake hands with Hal and his wife. I had read the book "Two on a Big Ocean" [Pacific] and was pleased with the details carefully and lovingly pictured only by words. Out of print and found at a second hand store in Algoma, Wisconsin. Old and frail these people are the best.
2~"Handbook of Trailer Sailing", Robert F. Burgess, Heavy into Com-Pac 16's and 19's. Living on the boat in islands south of Florida and west of Cuba. West Marine, but purchased mine at Yacht Works, Sister Bay, Wisconsin.
3~"Sailing Alone Around the World", Captain Joshua Slocum on his boat 'Spray'. Good South America pictures. Again only by words. Barns and Noble.
4~I like the magazine, Check the message board on line. "Small Craft Advisor" Some interesting things, would you sail a West Wight Potter 19 from California to Hawaii? Me neither.
5~"Tinkerbell" [sp?Tinkerbelle] at one time smallest single handed boat, Old Town 13 foot sailboat, to cross from Boston to England.
6~"Journey Of A Hope Merchant From Apartheid to the Elite World of Solo Yacht Racing", Neal Petersen with William P Baldwin and Patty Fulcher.
A book that takes the reader all around the world of oceans and into an inner mind set. "Never give up. Never give up. Never, never, give up." w.c.
I met Neal and his firecracker wife at the All sailboat show in Chicago, 2005. He personalized my copy...
To Craig,
Happy sailing. Never give up the beams.
May you and "Comfort and Joy" have many wonderful and safe passages!
Neal Petersen 04-Feburary-2005
Anything by Dave Kerr.
Good reading skip.