I had the opportunity to attend a full day seminar put on by Lynn and Larry Pardey this last Saturday. They have spent the last 32 years of thier life cruising the world visiting 68 countries in the process. They have accomplished all this starting on a 25 foot boat and eventually moving up to a whopping 30 footer with and 18,000 Lb. displacement. The truly amazing part is that they have done all this and continue to do so without auxilliary power- that's right no engine! As they did not stick to the gentlemen's cruising routes of the world they did encounter a few big blows along the way. The main areas that I picked up were - be prepared - having the right gear, spares and doing the maintenance, knowing when and how to deploy the gear and knowing your boat and how it reacts. It all sounded so simple when they explained it.
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There is so much more!
I love their books but I'm pretty sure I couldn't cruise like they do. Their first boat did not have a head, just a bucket. I'm not sure how well the bucket and chuck it method would go over with the Coasties on a summer cruise in the Cheasapeake these days. Another thing that you may not know at first is that they are both pretty short. I'd want more head room than they need. Lin and Larry are really unique in that they built their own boats and cruised them...this is extremely rare. Most builders as good as that pair stay builders and rarely become cruisers. Their wood boats are also unique by todays standards. No roller furling, huge bowsprits, a long boom, etc. One thing that everyone can learn from them is that they really keep it simple and can fix everything themselves. Sailing without an engine is easy if you don't have to be back at work on Monday.
I love their books but I'm pretty sure I couldn't cruise like they do. Their first boat did not have a head, just a bucket. I'm not sure how well the bucket and chuck it method would go over with the Coasties on a summer cruise in the Cheasapeake these days. Another thing that you may not know at first is that they are both pretty short. I'd want more head room than they need. Lin and Larry are really unique in that they built their own boats and cruised them...this is extremely rare. Most builders as good as that pair stay builders and rarely become cruisers. Their wood boats are also unique by todays standards. No roller furling, huge bowsprits, a long boom, etc. One thing that everyone can learn from them is that they really keep it simple and can fix everything themselves. Sailing without an engine is easy if you don't have to be back at work on Monday.
I think that the most valuable asset the Pardey's
have, might be masochism. I read their books but it's not my style.
have, might be masochism. I read their books but it's not my style.
Not British are they?
With all due respect to my British friends and co-workers, the Brits have a reputation for doing things the hard way. Read about their polar explorations to get an idea. Anyway, I'm going off topic. I think the Pardeys are Yanks. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
With all due respect to my British friends and co-workers, the Brits have a reputation for doing things the hard way. Read about their polar explorations to get an idea. Anyway, I'm going off topic. I think the Pardeys are Yanks. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
Pardeys
I truly have great respect for the Pardeys seamanship. However they would be called hobos on dry land.
I truly have great respect for the Pardeys seamanship. However they would be called hobos on dry land.
Times Have Changed
The Pardeys have a web site at http://landlpardey.com/. Select "Pardey Bios" for their history. Back in the mid to late '60 they lived, by todays standards, a rather primitive life style. However, many of the hippies back then lived in VW Busses or in college rooming houses packed several to a room. So, taken in that context their lifestyle wasn't much different from many of the regular hippies except it was on a boat. Wooden bucket? Well, don't know that this was any worse than what some of the other hippies did. No electronics? Many boats in the '60s were not that sophisticated and running lights and a few cabin lights was usually about it. No depth sounders (lead line) or radar. While the Pardeys were cruising the Carribean and Europe many of their contemporaries were serving time in the military with Viet-Nam being the popular destination of choice. The Pardeys obviously ducked that obligation somehow but then so did Clinton and a few others. Turning a boat into a floating condo with all the bells and whistles - and air conditioning, and a generator - is a recent development in recreational boating. No need to navigate - just call the maps up on the lap top and plot a course (or bring up a memorized one) - we can do this blindfolded. Push buttons and remote control.... hmmmm, this gives me an idea. Wonder if a cockpit can be designed with a built-in recliner? The simpler systems like slab reefing and paper charts is fine with me. My iBook is used for other things and doesn't have any maping software installed although the Admiral has discussed this "issue" with me.
The Pardeys have a web site at http://landlpardey.com/. Select "Pardey Bios" for their history. Back in the mid to late '60 they lived, by todays standards, a rather primitive life style. However, many of the hippies back then lived in VW Busses or in college rooming houses packed several to a room. So, taken in that context their lifestyle wasn't much different from many of the regular hippies except it was on a boat. Wooden bucket? Well, don't know that this was any worse than what some of the other hippies did. No electronics? Many boats in the '60s were not that sophisticated and running lights and a few cabin lights was usually about it. No depth sounders (lead line) or radar. While the Pardeys were cruising the Carribean and Europe many of their contemporaries were serving time in the military with Viet-Nam being the popular destination of choice. The Pardeys obviously ducked that obligation somehow but then so did Clinton and a few others. Turning a boat into a floating condo with all the bells and whistles - and air conditioning, and a generator - is a recent development in recreational boating. No need to navigate - just call the maps up on the lap top and plot a course (or bring up a memorized one) - we can do this blindfolded. Push buttons and remote control.... hmmmm, this gives me an idea. Wonder if a cockpit can be designed with a built-in recliner? The simpler systems like slab reefing and paper charts is fine with me. My iBook is used for other things and doesn't have any maping software installed although the Admiral has discussed this "issue" with me.
Crazy British
Hey Ron lay off us Brits! I am sure you guys are just as crazy as us - The last time I was in the States I actually saw someone eating Peanut butter and Jello in the same sandwich! - now thats crazy. One the other hand though I did sail my Hunter 34 across the Atlantic in 2002 and did a 2000 mile trip to Greece and back this year which some people said was a crazy thing to do though I loved every minute. Andrew PS I do like a few more home comforts than the Pardeys had though.
Hey Ron lay off us Brits! I am sure you guys are just as crazy as us - The last time I was in the States I actually saw someone eating Peanut butter and Jello in the same sandwich! - now thats crazy. One the other hand though I did sail my Hunter 34 across the Atlantic in 2002 and did a 2000 mile trip to Greece and back this year which some people said was a crazy thing to do though I loved every minute. Andrew PS I do like a few more home comforts than the Pardeys had though.
Pardey's
Ron; Larry Pardey is Canadian and Lynn is American. In the wide world of cruising they are accomplished sailors and explorers. I recommend that any one wanting armchair adventure to read thier books. Start with 'Cruising in Seraffyn'. Mac
Ron; Larry Pardey is Canadian and Lynn is American. In the wide world of cruising they are accomplished sailors and explorers. I recommend that any one wanting armchair adventure to read thier books. Start with 'Cruising in Seraffyn'. Mac
Me too
Just got back to South Carolina from Victoria. We were at the seminar too. Enjoyed meeting Lin & Larry in person after having read almost all of their books. Found both of them very personable and full of good information. Glad I went.
Just got back to South Carolina from Victoria. We were at the seminar too. Enjoyed meeting Lin & Larry in person after having read almost all of their books. Found both of them very personable and full of good information. Glad I went.
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