As Long as It's Fun, the Epic Voyages and Extraordinary Times of Lin and Larry Pardey

By: Herb McCormick

Narrated by: Russell Stamets

To anyone interested in small-boat cruising and voyaging, the names Lin and Larry Pardey need no introduction. As world-girdling sailors who roamed the planet on a pair of small, engineless boats that they built themselves, the Pardeys established their hard-earned reputations by eloquently (and sometimes controversially) telling their stories through a series of best-selling books and manuals, and countless seminars and boat shows.

They have been called the first couple of cruising and have remained true to their mantra: Go simple, go small, go now. And after 200,000 miles of cruising under sail, they ve demonstrated that the dream of voyaging over the horizon is not only attainable, it s affordable. The children of modest, middle-class families, their message of accessibility into the world of cruising of taking your own floating home anywhere has proved irresistible to tens of thousands of sailors. Lin and Larry Pardey became cruising royalty not solely due to their impressive deeds but also through their rare ability to share what they'd learned across multiple media. Seemingly every offshore cruiser knows who they are and what they represent. Or do they?

In As Long as It's Fun, the biography of Lin and Larry Pardey, Herb McCormick recounts their remarkable sailing career from their early days in Southern California to their two circumnavigations to their current life in a quiet cove in New Zealand. Through interviews with their families, friends, and critics, McCormick delves deeply into the couple's often-controversial opinions, sometimes-tenuous marriage, and amazing list of accomplishments. As Long as It's Fun is as much a love story as it is a sea yarn, and, like all such stories, it s not without complications...which makes it not only a sailing tale but also a human one.

©2014 Herb McCormick (P)2014 New Street Communications, LLC

splendidly written, beautifully narated

What made the experience of listening to As Long as It's Fun, the Epic Voyages and Extraordinary Times of Lin and Larry Pardey the most enjoyable?

The narrator has a natural talent - great delivery. And the storytelling from the writer is first-rate.

Which scene was your favorite?

The sections describing their earliest voyages.

Any additional comments?

I've long been a fan of the Pardeys. I've read all of their books, and thus was familiar with aspects of this biography before I experienced the biography. Herb McCormick brought new insights and a fresh perspective. Excellent overall.

Great stories. Poor performance.

Great stories were worth the insufferably poor pronunciations. Boring affect. Great read. Worth the price of entry.

Great tale of two splendid lifetime on blue water

Lin and Larry Pardey have lived a life worth reading, and Herb McCormick tells is splendidly. Really enjoyed this.

Read this if you've ever wanted to sail.

Perhaps the most intriguing story on sailing I've read. The Pardey's did everything with vigor and enthusiasm. Their story keeps you always wanting to hear the next chapter, yet delivers the best satisfaction next to being on the open water yourself.

A fascinating memoir of an authentic life

I was interested in this book through the entirety of the presentation. The part about the Hiscocks was extremely touching and inspiring. This is a great book for listening to at work.