Larry Pardey

Lin and Larry Pardey have now been cruising on board their own Canadian Flagged, self-built boats, racing, delivering and repairing other people’s boats for over 46 years. To date they have each voyaged more than 200,000 miles including both west to east and east to west circumnavigations and voyages to more than 75 countries. From the far northern reaches of Finland to their record earning voyage contrary to the wind below the great southern capes, their voyaging has helped them acquire a breadth of knowledge few other boating authors possess. The majority of the voyaging has been done on an earn-as-you-go budget that could be well within the reach of the majority of people who dream of setting sail. Their strengths are neatly symbolized by the boats that they have built. Each one is romantically traditional with swooping sheer lines and is completely dependent on the wind in her generous sailplan. And yet each carries the best, strongest, most seamanlike gear. Like their vessels, their writings are founded on a marriage of the spirit of romantic adventure that spurs them on and the practical up-to-date seamanship that keeps them and their boats safe. They have been called “the Enabler’s” and it is said their books and DVD’s have inspired thousands of sailors to stop dreaming and start doing. Lin and Larry have authored eleven books which have been published in the United States, New Zealand and England; several have been translated into German, Russian, Italian and Japanese. Lin’s most recent book, Bull Canyon, a Boatbuilder, a Writer and Other Wildlife has been called, “Highly significant and romantic..” by Publishers Weekly. Articles by Lin and Larry have appeared in Pacific Yachting, Sail Magazine, Cruising World, Woodenboat (USA), Good Old Boat, Practical Boat Owner, Yachting Monthly, Classic Boat Magazine (UK), Cruising Helmsman (Australia), South African Yachting, Nautica (Brazil), Boating New Zealand, Trade-a-Boat New Zealand and New Zealand Yachting. Among the Awards given to Lin and Larry Pardey are: Mauritanian Legion of Honour, as Captain of first American team to sail across the Sahara Desert in a land yacht,1966. Cruising Sailors to contribute most to the sport of Sailing - voted by readers of Sail Magazine 1990. International Oceanic Award - presented by Royal Institute of Navigation sponsored by Little Ship Club 1996 - in recognition of Larry's voyaging using traditional methods of navigation. Ocean Cruising Club Award - for contributions to Seamanship for small boat sailing. Presented to Lin Pardey 1996. Geoff Pac Memorial Award - to both Lin and Larry for fostering and encouraging ocean cruising in small yachts Cruising World Hall of Fame -2000 Ocean Cruising Club Merit Award – To Lin and Larry for inspiring voyages including a west-about rounding of Cape Horn Seven Seas Cruising Club Service Award – To Lin and Larry for their lifetime voyaging achievements 2004 Cruising Club of America Far Horizons Award- To Lin and Larry for life time achievements and contributions to seamanship 2009 Sail Magazines Top 40 Sailors who made a Difference – 2010 -As America’s first couple of cruising, Lin and Larry have inspired countless sailors. Yachting Monthly – Top 25 Sailing Heroes, 2012 Records -Smallest boat to have circumnavigated contrary to the prevailing winds around all the great southern capes. Only couple to have circumnavigated both east-about and west about on boats they built them selves, using traditional means of navigation and having no engine nor sponsorship. Lin and Larry maintain a newsletter and share cruising tips at: