Ebook: Women at the Helm

This is a very readable account of a voyage from Los Angeles to New Zealand aboard a 34-foot sailboat by two women: the author and her companion, Joy Smith.

Talley's matter-of-fact attitude toward hardships they experienced is impressive, as are her philosophical comments regarding conditions they found on the various islands they visited, e.g., the propensity of the Fiji islanders to burn trees for fire without regard to the consequences. More of the narrative is spent describing experiences ashore than the rigors at sea, as there were lengthy stops between passages.

Written while on board the Banshee moored off the coast of New Zealand.