Customer Reviews

Sailing to the Edge of Fear

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This book records a series of voyages by Frank Dye in a 16' Wayfarer dinghy, over the course of six summers, starting in Florida, continuing up the east coast of the US, and into Canada, ending finally in the western Great Lakes. Given the vast distances & challenging sailing conditions, and the author's wonderful previous outing, "Ocean Crossing Wayfarer," I expected a gripping read. No such luck. Dye's wife Margaret started out as crew, but bailed on the voyage about 900 miles in. I bailed at the Bay of Fundy and didn't finish the book. She was tired and cold and sick. I was just bored. Margaret Dye edited "Ocean Crossing Wayfarer". This one was Frank Dye's alone. He may be the sailor of the family, but she is plainly the writer. I have no doubt that Dye experienced some remarkable things on the voyages described. Unfortunately we aren't privy to them. Its title notwithstanding, "Sailing to the Edge of Fear" reads little better than a log book.

A great resource for the aspiring small craft sailor. Lots of interesting adventures and tips and tricks for surviving in every climate from Key West in Summer to the Great Lakes in early Winter. Frank is a known adventure nut-case having crossed the Atlantic from the UK to Greenland in a wooden seafarer. In this book he climbs the East cost of North America in the fiberglass version of the same craft over several summers propelling himself with only canvas and a pair of oars. It is a great read for those planning to navigate the intercostal waterway, St. Lawrence, or Great Lakes. Written in condensed diary form and filled with wit, technique, positive drive, and strange encounters with locals and conditions. In one chapter he demonstrates his patience and determination trying for seven days to round the same ten miles off Massachusetts. Quite an inspiring guy and a wonderful read.