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The Voyage of The Aegre: From Scotland to the South Seas in a Shetland boat Kindle Edition

by Nicholas Grainger (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 46 ratings
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The Voyage of The Aegre is a dramatic true account of how a plan to sail a little fishing boat from the Highlands of Scotland down the coast to England turned into a trans-oceanic odyssey for Nick and Julie Grainger. It was the 1970s and their simple wooden boat was equipped with none of the aids modern yachts enjoy. Navigation was by sextant and compass, food cooked on a Primus, and weather forecasting by guesswork. Diligent preparation before they set sail eventually saved their lives in the violent storms and dangers they encountered, vividly described in this absorbing narrative. Their capsize at night in a fierce storm south of Tahiti and subsequent survival makes a gripping climax to the story. A born storyteller, the author has produced a stirring tale that ranks among classic sea adventures.

'From a simpler age of sailing when you were led across oceans by the sun and the stars, this book deserves to join the classics. It is simply a top class read' Paul Heiney - Royal Cruising Club

'This has to be one of the greatest sailing stories I have ever read' - John Quirk, Afloat magazine.

'The owner of any small boat who plans to sail, one day. beyond the far horizon, must wonder what they would do if the GPS fails and they don't have a sextant, or a mast. The answer lies in the story of the Voyage of The Aegre. A terrific adventure' - John Ridgway, 1966 North Atlantic rower, Round the World sailor, Adventurer, Author.

The Voyage of The Aegre is a story of courage and adventure we don’t often see equalled. Every page takes us deeply into the nitty-gritty of the whole venture, including the self-doubt and interpersonal challenges. As I devoured the work, I remembered my own youth and the hope, strength and sheer energy that kept me going in the hard times. Yet all my experience pales when compared with what happened to them 150 miles out from Tahiti. Their boat is capsized, swept clean and could easily have been left derelict. With no radio or life raft, survival depends on resources, initiative and the refusal to give in. Tom Cunliffe, Yachting World, August 2023

An extraordinary story of experience, drama and skill. Tristan Gooley. Sept. 2023 www.naturalnavigator.com

Completely transfixed by this new book, the story of an almost inconceivable sea journey from Scotland to the South Seas by Nick Grainger and his then-wife Julie aboard a tiny ‘Shetland Model’, 50 years ago. The Aegre was built in Wick by Tom Edwardson of Unst, and decked in by Bob Macinnes of Scourie. A capsize off Tahiti ended an extraordinary voyage. But the Aegre saw them safely ashore in Samoa. Nick will be in Shetland for the Tall Ships Race and to launch the book at the Lerwick Library. I highly recommend it if, like me, you’ve been addicted to sea survival stories since childhood. Tom Morton, Lerwick, Shetland

The Voyage of The Aegre deserves to become a classic in seafaring literature as it has all the key ingredients – adventurous excitement, serious danger, exemplary planning and self-reliance, but most importantly a completely authentic, honest and heart-warmingly humble voice of a man who has seen and overcome much in his life but takes nothing for granted. Nick acknowledges his mistakes and limitations with clear-eyed frankness and also understands the huge debt he owes to Julie for her incredible strength of character, patience, and devotion in adversity. Nick’s frequent use of extracts from Julie’s diary makes for powerful reading. The Voyage of The Aegre is not only an account of a journey but also a moving tale of two young people growing up together, forging a relationship in extraordinary circumstances, and facing down unimaginably difficult challenges with inspirational courage. Matthew Sullivan, Librarian, Dinghy Cruising Association. October 2023. See full review here.
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  1. Print length
    273 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    June 20, 2023
  5. File size
    19442 KB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C8V3K7BJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vinycomb Press (June 20, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 20, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 19442 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 273 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 46 ratings

About the author

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Nicholas Grainger

Nicholas Grainger

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It started with a sail on a soapbox cart, an uncle who dressed up as a monk, and sea stories in the back of a Mini. For Nick, it became a passion for sailing and led to the thrilling Aegre voyage to the Pacific. And later, in 2003-4, to sailing around the world via Cape Horn on the 57 ft ketch English Rose VI with adventurers John and Marie Christine Ridgway on the Save the Albatross Voyage. In between sailing, and another passion, bicycle racing, he applied lessons learnt from his time at sea to a corporate and later an academic career where he enjoyed coaching students. He lives with his wife, Tomoko, in Melbourne, Australia. They have two daughters and two granddaughters who, he says, keep his feet firmly on the ground. His writing has previously been published in Sea Spray magazine (NZ), Boating NZ, and Classic Boat magazine. For more background on The Aegre voyage, see https://nicholasgrainger.com.au

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
46 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Leigh Wilson Smiley
5.0 out of 5 stars A heart-stopping adventure told by a master storyteller!
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2023
The Voyage of the Aegre, authored by Nicholas Grainger is a true story of courage, curiousity, nature's grace and fury, and a time so different than now. It makes one want to get off grid, take a chance, grow in character and challenge the limits of one's physical and mental stamina. Grainger has a deeply compelling voice as a writer, coming across through the page as a person of intelligence, innocence, "can-do" positive attitude, and generosity towards others. I loved every moment of this read and truly could not put the book down. Hardly a sailor myself, I learned so much about this boat and the rigging, handling, ingenuity and imagination it takes to not only succeed in a venture, but also to improvise and use all the gifts and resources one has at hand. This is a story that metaphorically has terrific resonance for today, when we rarely wish to sacrifice comfort and the known world to explore our dreams - but oh my! There is so much inspiration in Graingers and Julie's journey that I know I will personally be much more willing to take risks to explore my own limits. I am enthusiastically recommending this book to every person, sailor or not, that I know!
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Top reviews from other countries

Victoria Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting adventure
Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
A very interesting account of an epic voyage in a small boat.
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Studio46
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
An amazing and inspiring story. One of the best sailing books I have read. Can’t recommend it enough. Totally enthralling.
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Nan allen
5.0 out of 5 stars I know nothing about sailing, but absolutely loved this book
Reviewed in Australia on August 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed reading this book - it had me on the edge of my seat in parts, not wanting to put it down! I know nothing about sailing but felt like I was on the boat the whole time, sharing the ups and downs (no pun intended). Nick and Julie were so young, but so brave and courageous. What a thing to do! Their personalities were also very interesting living together in such a small space - how Julie occasionally fell apart and they'd work it through, and Nick's frustrations and how he'd problem solve. I hope there’s a sequel! All in all a great read. I'd recommend it - five stars.
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Leroy B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Educational Story
Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
The story is about more than a sea voyage. I love the way they worked together and blended their own individual lives in the midst of what would have made a wreck of most relationships.
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FitzGerald
5.0 out of 5 stars this book has to be read!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
so much detail of his life and determination from an early age
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