Starting this thread as I'm halfway through "A Voyage for Madmen" by Peter Nichols, thanks to the recommendation by Seabreezer Planter on the book rec thread.

I would be interested in what other people remember / got from this book, as it seems to cover everything from psychology to seamanship and much in between.

Peter Nichols understood the concepts,having been rescued in the Atlantic,whilst attempting a solo voyage .

It was a time of passionate patriotism,stoked by Chichester's circumnavigation,and anything to beat the French !!

Knox Johnston is the quintessential Englishman,and his book -A World of My Own - gives a dour account of the Passage .

However, Moitessier was the real winner,and found his sanity back in Polynesia .

Another Time !!

Mason

JonE said..
Just finished the book. Loved his description of Chay Blythe going Westabout.

"The voyage was brutal. He seems to have thoroughly enjoyed it"...

A sad end to some of the boats