Customer Reviews

Voyaging On A Small Income

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For anyone thinking of setting off for an extended period of small boat cruising (or voyaging, as Annie more accurately calls it), and not starting with a 6, or even 5 figure bank balance, this book is essential reading. It describes a philosophy of living very different from that maybe experienced before on a cruising holiday, weekend sailing, or even daily life. It starts from the point of view that long term, live-aboard life is both possible and sustainable, providing certain perspectives are adopted. These include rejecting any item of equipment not capable of extended, reliable, cost-effective performance on board a boat (this for example rules out most modern electronics, for entirely sensible and logical, rather than `back to mother nature' reasons), selecting, buying, storing and preparing food from the point of view of where you are, what's available, and how long you may be at sea, and most importantly, managing your limited finances using the most rigorous criteria possible.

Here, Annie applies the basic principles of sound commercial management to all financial decisions (is this a better buy than that over time? can I buy now and save later?) and demonstrates a complete and intuitive grasp of what in the parlance of modern management theory would be called `Total Cost of Ownership Investment Appraisal' - a valuable object lesson for many senior management in some of the largest corporations. She writes about it in her own unique and forthright style, clearly based on many years of real experience, that demands attention and respect.

This is not a `go there, do that, buy the t-shirt' kind of sailing book, but for anyone seriously contemplating long term voyaging on a small budget, or simply wanting a unique insight into an alternative lifestyle from the comfort and security of their armchair, and brave enough to venture past the warning on the cover that this might cause you to challenge some of your most basic beliefs in what passes for `normal' existence, Voyaging on a Small Income, as a useful reference source or a good read, is a must.

Annie's book is a treasure trove of how to live on a boat, eat well, construct your own boat, and cruise forever without working. She and her husband Pete live aboard BADGER on about $2000 per year, cruise to the Caribbean, Greenland, England, Europe, etc, etc. Even though Annie Hill has written a book primarily directed to the boating fraternity, her ideas regarding how to live and finance your life are applicable to any place you want to live. If your dream is a farm or a getaway somewhere remote, read this book and learn how to realise your dream. I have corresponded with her on occasion and always have to wait for my letter to catch up with her and Pete because they are somewhere exotic and are having a great time without worrying about financing their trip. They are a most remarkable couple who have done something that no one else seems to have done and she has been nice enough to tell us SPECIFICALLY just how to duplicate her accomplishments. She didn't know that she had written such a remarkable book and when I suggested that she write more about their life she told me that no one would be interested in her and Pete's day to day activities. She is wrong and I hope she shares more of their lives. This is a watershed book and is probably the most important book ever written about cruising. I have read my copy at least 9 times and it has changed my way of thinking about how I want to live and what I need to do to realise that dream. I'm on my way. This isn't a book about the actual trip but about how to do what they do. It's fascinating reading and you will learn an immense amount of practical knowledge and some skills few others ever learn. Annie and Pete aren't wealthy, in fact, they are what most of us would consider to be working class and fairly poor. Still, they know what they are writing about and can accurately convey the skills you need to live without working, yes, without working.

I'm 37, going on 38, with the dreams that many twice my age are now fulfilling. Nearly 20 years of sailing experience on San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento River delta, I've read a lot of books that might one day help me achieve one goal, to sail past the Golden Gate for destinations beyond, to live a simple and modest life among fellow cruisers, and on a boat that isn't born of the cookie cutter-mold. Annie and Pete Hill have echoed what my father and mother always believed, it is possible to own a simple sailboat and cruise far on a small budget. All it takes is the will and discipline to live within means and a very organized and well thought-out budget. In VOASI, Ms. Hill puts it in plain English, even if some of the terms are British, the plans and thoughts that went into building and equipping 'Badger' the way they did and how their decisions not only saved them money, but were sound.

Read this book with care, because it will blow your mind to know that one hundred years after Joshua Slocum, this brave couple are able to cruise simply and simply cruise on a small budget. Lots of great ideas, good examples of the decisions they made and why, and an appendix adorned with study plans of sailing dories from Jay Benford and Group.

If you're looking for a book that explains why you should outfit your boat with expensive electronics and fancy galley appliances, you may want to read one of the thousands of books that echo status quo advice. But, if you really want to know why you don't necessarily need all those fancy gadgets, then "Voyaging on a Small Income" is a MUST READ!

Thanks Annie and Pete.
Enjoy. As always, Fair winds and happy cruising.

This book outlines a philosophy for sailing on a small income. Throughout the book runs the thesis that simplicity not only equals economy, but that simplicity leads to greater satisfaction in sailing.

The author discusses the pros and cons of basic sailing questions -- such as should one install an engine in a sail boat where economy and simplicity are key; and what are the benefits and drawbacks of installing (or not installing) electricity on the economic/simple boat; and what hull designs can most easily be built by the home builder; and how do you provision a boat with simple, long lasting, low cost but palatable food (with some recipes thrown in).

Although economy is the goal, the author carefully points out (with specific examples) when buying a pricier but top quality product at the start will save money in the end.

However, the great boon of this book is to address a topic that is hardly ever discussed in detail or with authority by an experienced sailor-- what are the practical advantages and disadvantages of sailing with a junk rig (also called the Chinese lug rig) as opposed to the Bermuda (marconi) rig, or the gaff rig. Here are facts and thoughts, on both sides of that issue, all simply stated and practically oriented, from a couple with lots of hands-on experience. They tell how a junk rig sails up wind, cross wind, and down wind. They describe why a junk rig is an advantage when handling sail. The costs and design of the junk rig are compared to other rigs. The author even addresses the almost mystical question, "How does a junk rig handle going upwind in light airs." The junk rig appears so straightforward, simple and worry free that this book should make believers out of many of those considering a junk rigged sailing boat.

The book also discusses the dory style hull (in various 20, 30 and 40 foot lengths) with a chine, which can be easily built by the home builder. Design plans and a list of boat designers are provided.

The book suggests that a boat owner can have two of the three parameters of economy, speed, and comfort, with economy and comfort as the author's choices for the practical sailor who wants to voyage on a small income.

Throughout the author writes with a breezy conversational style with an entertaining amount of English slang.

This book is a valuable guide for those who are looking for simple sailing satisfaction without spending a fortune, as well as for those sailors who always wanted to know how a junk rig handles.

Do not read this book if you have a partner who has not read the book as well. You will find a great urge to build a boat and get out of a race with life. Annie admits to "working" for only 15 minutes a day, they live on < 2000 Sterling per annum, and have "done" the Med, Baltic, Greenland, the Intra Coastal Waterway, South Atlantic. She is also a witty and pragmatic writer. Annie Hill makes you see what is really important, and then how little it costs. I've read the book, and I am in deep trouble. Take care not to read this if you do not want to wake up at nights plannig an escape.

I found the information to be helpful and honest in opinion. I am restoring a sail boat and have been reading tons of books on all systems from electrical, mechanical, heating, cooking, efficiency, safety, etc and felt this book was helpful. It doesn't have all the answers, or cover all the choices, but the author shares what she knows in an honest manner and gives actual models and types of different items for comparison. I liked the female point of view as to ease of management, cleanliness of systems, & actual daily use efficiency. A heating system was rated high, but messy, which made author reluctant to use, I appreciated the candor. As I said....Food for thought, definately worth the price.

Reading this book inspired me to build a rowboat in my apartment, sell most of my possessions, move into an old RV and drive cross-country to Maine in search of wooden sailboats...That's how inspiring this book is! It proves you don't need to be rich to have wonderful adventures. It tells you how to live your dreams NOW!

Annie Hill has a wry sense of humour and packs an enormous amount of detailed useful information into each page. With frequent hilarious illustrations this is a wonderful book.

The chapter on budgeting and living on a (very) small income is magnificent and hugely relevant to would be cruisers. Follow it and you may go sailing and never go back to work solely to earn money (in order to leave and go sailing etc).

The Appendix contains a reprint of Weston Martyr's "The 200 Pound Millionaire" - a dangerously attractive and magnetic story of living on a small sailing boat in pre-War Europe (pre WWII that is).

The Appendix and Sources contain recommended books and equipment and suppliers - very useful.

The Forward is a very high recommendation from Tom Cunliffe. "By Gum, go and do likewise." 'Nuff said.

This book really can change your life. It changed mine. Now I am owned by a boat, if boats are like cats - they are not owned; they do the owning).

I recommend it to you too. But read it at your own risk.

Having read many books on the subject I found this to be a most refreshing read. It is full of useful information and advice that is often missing from others in the genre. The philosophy of church mouse finances may not be to the taste of gizmo freaks, but the hints and advice could be applied to any voyager, long distance or just a coastal hopper. In keeping with the spirit of economy in the book, that is, the more you save the longer you can sail, may I suggest you get a copy from your local library and take notes! Sorry Amazon!

This book is on of the few which gives what the title promises. In it, Ann Hill tells, in great detail and with lots of humour, how she and her husband have managed to sail the past 20 years on almost no income. Everything is there, the boat, the food, the financial aspects and mistakes made. The amount of down to the ground information in this book is almost overwhelming. The best book on sailing I have read in a long time. But remember, the book is focused on low budget cruising. There is nothing on tuning, speed, electronic gear etc.