If you dream of running away to sea in your own boat and sailing over the horizon to find a new life, then read on.

Since moving aboard their yacht in 1984 the authors have cruised 25,000 relaxed, even hedonistic miles, and the lessons they have learned - both practical and psychological - are described within these pages. This book is not aimed at the would-be circumnavigator (although it has much to interest him) but at the weekend sailor for whom the annual fortnight's cruise is never long enough. It matters little whether you plan to escape for six months, a couple of years or forever. Nor does it matter if your destination is the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or the Great Barrier Reef: this book is still for you.

June and Bill Raper are long-standing members of the (British) Cruising Association and have recently attained Commodore status of the (US) Seven Seas Cruising Association.  In these pages they hope to pass on the benefit of their extensive experience to those already planning to sail away, as well as to many who are still at the dreaming stage.