500 Days [Paperback]

Serge Testa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1988

Alone aboard "Acrohc", the tiny yacht he designed and built, Serge Testa sailed around the world and into the Guinness Book of Records. Exotic landfalls, cyclones, encounters with whales and a nearly fatal fire at see make this a gripping story. Told with understatement and humor, this account of a unique voyage of discovery and endurance appeals to the adventurer in all of us.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Serge Testa's 500 Days is a lively, warm and well written account of seamanlike circumnavigation. -- Cruising World

From the Author

I knew I had a strong and seaworthy boat, but after all, she was only 11 feet 10 inches long. How would she react to big waves, storms or even cyclones? Would she ever capsize? And would I be able to put up with the continuous pounding and rolling, or would I end up as crazy as people thought I was? The best way to find out was to try.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Trident Press; 2 edition (January 1988)
• ISBN-10: 0731648498
• ISBN-13: 978-0731648498
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,839,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful adventure told with humor and heart., January 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 500 Days (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. Not only is it an adventure story about the challenge of sailing around the world in a 12 foot boat, but it is also a travel book about some of the little-known ports that Mr. Testa visited. As someone who could spend hours looking at maps of islands in an atlas, I was intrigued to read the descriptions of someone who has actually visited these out of the way corners of the world. This is a book about sailing where a significant portion of the adventure occurs on land. Serge writes with humor and honesty, and reading this book made me dream of visiting some of his ports of call.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: 500 Days (Paperback)

I came across the remarkable feat of Serge Testa and his boat, Acrohc Australis, in a book on single-handed sailing. I was pleasantly surprised to note that he had written a book about his experiences circumnavigating the world. The book is very informative, reading much like a travelog. My only criticisms are minor, first that the book is short, and second, that it is written in a very matter of fact manner, that is, there's not a lot of detail regarding the emotional aspects of the journey (if that matters to anyone). However, if you are at all interested in single-handed sailing or sailing across oceans, I'd consider this required (and well worth it!) reading.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading. Exciting at times, November 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: 500 Days (Paperback)

The book reads a lot like a travel journal more than a story. Lots of documentation and excitement as ytou may well expect. Left me wanting to know more details about the adventure. Serge Testa is an incredible individual and an autobiography would be great reading. He also builds quality boats as I found on an internet search.