Product Description

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 logged over 200,000 bluewater miles over the course of his career, and has sailed all manner of watercraft.

His adventures have been many and varied, and this book recounts them with optimism and humor, the two most important tools in any delivery skipper's bag. The result is as fascinating a sailing story as you can imagine.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15931 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 204 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781574091649
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
"...extremely well-written...highly recommended..." -- Latitudes & Attitudes, December 2003

From the Back Cover
"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

"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 magazine

About the Author
John Kretschmer is a writer and sailing enthusiast.

Customer Reviews

Buy It, Read It, Love It
This is a great book! I dreaded finishing it as I saw the pages rapidly flying by. Mr. Kretschmer's every day adventures as a sailboat delivery skipper are very entertaining, but the true wealth in this book is this guy's attitude. An inspiration to all, sailors and landlubbers, who are concious of their voyage across this little blue planet.

Enormously entertaining!
This book is filled with humor and adventure, an unbeatable combination. The author displays a very engaging style and these exciting tales of sailing adventures will entertain sailors and landlubbers alike.

What a Life!
The Author, a profesional delivery captain, makes his living doing what the rest of us have to pay to do! The author has probably done more Blue Water Sailing in a few years than most serious sailors do in a lifetime. This is a great story of adventure, but it is told in a humorous tone. Adventure, romance, danger, and outrageous characters fill this book. Each story is better than the last one, and this was truly an enjoyable read.