Adventures of a Once Reluctant Sailor

In 2007, Michele and Wayne Sharp traveled from Bayfield, Wisconsin, on Lake Superior to Punta Gorda, Florida, on their Island Packet 445 sailboat. They chose the long route, which took them through the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Canadian Maritime provinces.

Wayne had long dreamt of such a trip, but Michele, who didn’t even feel qualified to call herself a “sailor,” was content to cruise Bayfield’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Even her longest voyage of 100 nautical miles caused her great anxiety, so making the 5000 mile trip was out of the question…initially. Michele recounts how she got from “NO” to “GO” in a few short weeks, and speaks honestly and from her heart as she works through her fears and inexperience to become a “real sailor.”

The serious mariner will learn from the book, as Wayne, a licensed Coast Guard captain, contributes from a more nautical and technical perspective.

Contains over 170 color and B&W photos.