Arctic Odyssey

H

Hunkydory

Active member
Just finished reading ARCTIC ODYSSEY by Len Sherman the story about the Dove 111 and its intrepid crew of three mastering the Northwest Passage in a 27 foot sailboat from Nanaimo, BC. going west to east. A very hard to believe but true account of a death defying adventure through some of the worlds most dangerous seas and the amazing thing is one of our very own C-Brats George Hone was one of the three aboard on this voyage.

On another thread George Hone remarked he is now most content to leisurely cruise on his 22 CD having nothing more to prove. If you read this book I think you will find this a grand understatement.

George also wrote a book about this voyage "The Northwest Passage on $10 a day", but I could not find it anywhere to purchase. If it does come available I hope to buy it. Would be great to read his account and see two view points of one grand adventure.

Jay
 
Hi Jay, thanks for the thoughts. A truly great adventure. Len's book is still widely available (he did about a 6000 copy run) I'm in talks with my publisher to do a reprint on mine. Len's is an introspective journey more than mine. George
 
George

Really liked Len's pen and ink drawings and the introspection was OK, but what I enjoyed most was the factual account part of this incredible voyage, so I really hope the talks with your publisher work out so I can read your account. I'm not a sailor and what you three accomplished is not even something I would dream of attempting, but though not in your league I do know what its like to take on dangerous challenges and see them through to the end so words fail me on being able to tell you how much I admire you three in your accomplishment.

Jay
 
We read George's book on the journey - well-written account of a great adventure. For any C-brat who enjoys a non-fiction tale of adventure, especially one with an arctic setting, we heartily recommend George's book.
 
Jay,

Thanks for posting the titles. I'll be looking for both. George is a great guy, and I hope his book becomes available. Having been a sailer, the story interests me from that aspect. I have had sailing fantasies, but none of that magnatude ever.

George,

Sure hope your talks produce fruition. I like the title, and the book must be great. It would be fun to apply the principle to a C-Dory cruise.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Pretty darn impressive George!

Enjoyed meeting you at the Montague CBGT and seeing you again at the Sequim CBGT.

Little did we know you were such an adventurer on top of you many other attributes.

Looking forward to seeing you and everybody else at the upcoming SBS CBGT.

Take care,
Dan & Tanya
 
Hi Warren, I am coming to the Seattle Boat show. My skipper Winston has a slideshow he may let me bring along or it is also on a cd. I could do something for sure. Looking forward to seeing you Warren, George
 
George,

I could bring a computer, a computer projector and extension core to the Fri. night gathering at the hotel. We'd just need a white wall on which to project the images.
 
Color (or for George, "colour") me anxious to see this presentation! Not that I am anxious to TRY it - and now with apologies to Hunkydory Jay, nobody has ever described anything I have ever done as "death-defying" and I plan on keeping it that way!
 
That presentation alone makes the trip worthwhile!

I don't know what arrangement you have with the publisher, but many are using the "self publish" route--either building a few books up first, or publishing on demand--such as Lulu books. The E publishing would also be a great way to go. You can even just do it in PDF format.

I notice that Georges book is listed on Nighthawk Marine's web site--wonder what would happen if there were a couple of dozen orders sent in?
 
No apologies needed Pat :lol: Much better odds of extending Daydream and other life's enjoyments without that description being worn and though I have been involved in endeavors some might consider being excessively risky, I, even if given the chance would not have signed on with this voyage and not just because of being unqualified. In my evaluation from all I've read about the Northwest Passage the risks in the adventure were just to high and so the reason I described it as death-defying. This may seem to go against my Signature statement by Jack London "I will not waste my days in trying to prolong them", but I think that's a motto most could live well by. Striking a good balance between wasted days in life by being to fearful and needlessly throwing one's life away by taking to much of especially under evaluated risk is the trick. Striking that right balance is not easy and ones life does indeed ride in the balance. Fortunately for me, I have no regrets now on past decisions made on this subject and don't think I will in the future if lucky and prudent enough to find my self in that rocking chair with no decision of this kind left to be made.

Len said in Arctic Odyssey that when asked in a restaurant prior to the voyage why they were doing such a thing he replied.jokingly "Because we're real men! We thrive on hardship and pain! We live for excitement and the chance to face death" and then stated he was lightly taken back when the Captain of the Dove 111, Winston, quietly replied "You know, for me, that's almost what it's all about" Then Len stated the reason for his going was simply "Grab a chance and you won't be sorry for a might-have-been." A motto he said that Winston lived by and he completely agreed with." George wasn't mentioned in this, so would be good to hear his own reason for undertaking such an adventure.

As Bob says this presentation alone is worth the trip, which for the first time I'm really considering making.

Jay .
 
Hi there, Winston had carved on his first boat that saying "grab a chance etc... His cruising life kept true to that motto
Getting to know Winston when I did he and I were kindred spirits as well as friends, when he invited me as first mate I at first for a few weeks after agreeing to go that "he wasn't really serious" Oh yeah he was. I felt it a chance of a lifetime and went. to this day I have not met another skipper I would have gone with. I truly felt it would have been a missed opportunity and one I would look back on in later years with regret. Having done the trip I see that it would have been so as it truly was a unique chance. Winston has that mix of luck, good preperation and courage that lead us to sucess. I have heard back from Roger at Nighthawk publishing and he does want to reprint fairly soon, Sending in a few orders would help a bunch!!
See you all in Seattle
George
 
George,

Which "Nighthawk"? Did I miss a link somewhere? Would be glad to order, hook us up with Roger and we can get the ball rolling. What a honor.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Thanks guys, the publisher is Nighthawk Marine Ltd, with Roger McAfee the contact. His email is romac@kwik.net. Just send an inquiry to order and we'll keep track. Thanks so much, see you soon, George
 
George,

Any chance they would be at the Seattle CBGT in January? Maybe the Boat show would be a good market?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Hi Harvey, I have a call in to Roger at Nighthawk to see if he will be doing a seminar at the Boat Show as usual. Hopefully we'll have books by then. I'm on the case!
Will keep you posted, Have a great Christmas. George
 
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