Dragged Aboard: A Cruising Guide for a Reluctant Mate

by Don Casey

The first book to address the fears and hesitations of reluctant mates whose husbands have caught the cruising bug. The adventure of sailing over the horizon is a widely held dream. Yet for every couple that goes cruising, thousands stay behind because only one partner is infected with this dream. Dragged Aboard addresses only the interests of the reluctant partner: Is cruising safe? Healthy? Can I be comfortable? What will we eat? Can I be reached...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393046532
• ISBN13: 9780393046533
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

All cruisers should read this book

I have extensive experience cruising and sailing- and am female. This book should be included with every cruising boat that is sold AND all people cruising should read it. I am very picky and I could not find any fault with Don's recommendations. He really "gets it" when it comes to cruising. A great gift for the prospective cruisers!

Fun and inspiring, my kids loved it

I read the introduction and first chapter of Dragged About to my kids (11 and 12), and they laughed out loud several times. Both continued reading it and taking notes all on their own. Can't say that about too many cruising guides! Casey's writing style is terrific, and he addressed many of the issues that I've been nervous about (communicating with family back home, medical care, adequate provisioning, storms). But my favorite sections were the glimpses into the cruising lifestyle, its potential effects (good and bad) on relationships, and the friendships that develop between cruisers. I've sailed the tropics enough to know that it can be exactly as idyllic as he describes, and I found his glowing descriptions reassurance that the idyllic times far outweigh the difficulties and inconveniences even on a long cruise.

Required reading if you want to drag your wife aboard.

Don Casey and his wife were a typical cruising couple: he wanted to live aboard, she wasn't eager to put up with the discomforts. This book is an eager sailor's description of the joys of cruising, and what makes the discomforts worthwhile. What makes this book, and the Caseys, different is that Don learned to listen to his wife, and heard why she was unhappy. This book is the result. This book isn't the typical cruising book: it's not about sailing or seamanship. As I said, Don Casey listened to his wife. This book is about living on a boat. The reluctant partner usually has a long list of questions like: ``How will we do laundry?'', ``How will we fit in a tiny boat?'', ``What about safety?'', ``What about the children?'', ``How can we stay clean?'', and, most difficult of all: ``Is it worth it?''. This book gives some answers to some of these questions, but what's more important, it helps the eager partner to hear those questions, and see that they have to be satisfactorily answered. One thing which this book omits is the ability to live far more simply aboard than is possible ashore. I suppose that for the typical North American housewife, that's not a big selling point. My wife and I would both like to reduce the clutter in our lives, and living aboard can de-clutter lives like a cabin in the Arctic, without the frostbite and nine months of darkness. If simple living sounds attractive, check out Voyaging on a Small Income. I'm the eager partner, and my wife is the reluctant one. We're still ashore for a few years yet, but I think that the advice in this book is going to help me hear my wife's objections and help us find answers that satisfy her. If you are the eager partner, I recommend that you buy and read this book, often. I think it'll greatly increase your chances of staying married. If your husband has been bitten by the cruising bug, I hope you'll buy this book and give it to him. There may be better books for you, but he needs this one. Make him read it, and talk it over with him.

The Title says it all

This is the third Don Casey book I've read and I like them all. Don has a easy going infomative style that doesn't come of as Mr. Know It All. His other books I've read were on maintenance related issues. This book is all about the emotions and realities of cruising. The chapter tiltes tell it all. "What is cruising really like?" "Confronting fears" "stocking the galley" etc. I have a hard time giving books five stars, but this is definitely a 4-1/2 star. It's only 170 some pages I'd like to see more. Would I buy again? Absolutely- If this title appeals to you the book will deliver. A two thumbs up!

A pleasant journey that makes sense of safety & exploration.

This was an informative and entertaining book geared for the dreamers of blue water sailing. Some of the facts presented are surprisingly persuasive regarding the statistical safety of ocean cruising. Casey's style and descriptions were a pleasure to read. I recommend it to anyone considering a first time voyage, especially if they have that reluctant partner.