When their house burned down, Justin Ruthven-Tyers turned to his wife and said: “Good would come of this.” Despite being a disaster the incident liberated the couple and turned out to give them increased confidence in their own abilities. First they rebuilt the house; then they decided they’d rather live on a boat and, despite knowing nothing of the craft, set to and in three years built a fine 15-ton pilot cutter to a design by John Hesp.
This is the tale of that adventure – a little short on practical detail for us boaties (though Justin did learn adzing) – and their subsequent life aboard. These latter sections can drag a bit, but the tales of tree-stealing and living on free shellfish from the River Fal are fun, and there is useful navigational information, particularly about the loughs of Northern Ireland and cruising the wilder Celtic coasts of Scotland.
Justin is a fine artist – using pencil to sketch out details of life aboard. There are several of these in this book (though sometimes we’d like them to be presented a little larger), but overall it makes for a feelgood read, and a gently encouraging introduction to anyone contemplating this way of life. PW
Pub Adlard Coles Nautical, 2012, 250pp, paperback, £6.99