"To realise my desire to see the world at my own pace,
I needed a yacht. One that was affordable, and capable of crossing oceans. So, in my backyard, I built a 25 foot
sailboat, of wood, with which I have crossed an ocean, and so begun my quest." Dean C. Swift, builder and skipper of
the gaff sloop Lucky Linda.
Captain Dean C. Swift . . .
Builder - Skipper - Author
(scroll down for language translation feature)
Stories of adventure and daring from the decks of Lucky Linda !!
"So You Want to Build a Boat" - (hardcover)
This is part one of 'My Island in the Sun',
revised and rewritten.
A "Must Read" for anyone contemplating
more than a weekend away from the dock !!
If you
have been tinkering with the idea ofbuildinga serious
cruising boat, then know the pitfalls before you begin. Save yourself a pile of headaches and a bundle of cash by learning
from Dean's experiences of constructing LUCKY LINDA in his own backyard.
For the novicesailor, Dean's accounts will help prepare you for the possible dangers when learning
to sail either in sight of land or when offshore. Learn the smart way - know before you go.
This is part two
of 'My Island in the Sun', revised and rewritten.
And for thelong distance cruiser. People change when living together
in close quarters for extended periods of time - with no rational means of escape. Again, be prepared. Dean's accounts will
help you to know what to look for in those who accompany you and know what changes to expect in others and yourself.
A Nightmare at Sea -
Beating to gale force winds and battered by vicious seas for days on end, Lucky Linda
and her crew of two fight for survival.
How did they cope? Could the tactics they used be of use on your
boat if faced with the same conditions? Would you have done things differently?
With primary systems not functioning and provisions all but gone
her exhausted crew battled their way to each new dawn with hopes it would bring relief from natures relentless wrath.
Dean had been gone for - oh so long - and I was adapting well to the independant life.
I was deep in thought, wondering how to start the lawn mower, when the phone rang. It was Sunday, the 16th of May, a
day that I will never forget. The call came from the Portuguese Coast Guard. "The Portuguese Coast Guard.
Why would they be calling me?"
I listened in disbelief as the man on the other end asked me questions about Dean's boat.
Did I know; the departure date, the boat registration, what flag she carried, was there an EPIRB on board and more?
"Oh no - Dean is dead." I couldn't get this dreadful thought out of my head.
I sat down and I cried and cried 'til I couldn't cry anymore.
On the 20th of May I received an email from the Coast Guard - I read the subject line
- OVERDUE "S/V LUCKY LINDA" - and I whispered, "Lord, please -
give me strength."
This is part one of 'My Island
in the Sun', revised and rewritten. There's no sugar coating in this
story of building a small yacht, then putting her to the test with some scary sailing adventures on the open North Atlantic
Ocean. The true saga of a novice sailor who must overcome obstacles ranging from government bureaucracy, to saboteurs,
to hurricanes and monster whirlpools if he wants to realise his dream.
Enjoy sailing where sailing is real, the Atlantic Ocean. Are you looking for something different, a challenge,
memories to last a lifetime? If so, then you're looking for Lucky Linda.
Dream, then dare to live the dream.
Lucky Linda, out of LaHave, Nova Scotia
A holiday in Nova Scotia with a sail aboard Lucky Linda, to catch a glimpse
of a whale or two. A visit to the quaint village of West LaHave where time stands still, where stress is non-existant
and a stop for tea and fresh home-made bread at the old-fashioned bakery. Halifax, with its bustling waterfront
and casino.
Peggy's Cove, with its natural scenic beauty, an artist's dream. Lunenburg,
the home of the Bluenose, Mahone Bay with its breathtaking beauty, Liverpool and its privateer legends.
good times.....Dean and Frank, Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Frank joins Lucky Linda at
Charlottetown,Prince Edward Island.
This is his first sailing adventure, and
he has a lot to learn, but he will be
amply rewarded by the beauty and
diversity of Canada's East coast.
Linda, taking in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
Lucky Linda anchored at beautiful Villa das Lajes, Flores, the Azores
Linda relaxes on board in Horta, the Azores
Gail, Pierre, Annabel and Carlos out for the day. Carlos, right, would later captain Lucky Linda
en route - Azores to Portugal
Dean, Rob and Lucky Linda in Portimao, Portugal
Lucky Linda proudly displays the Maple Leaf in Portimao
Dean C Swift - Atlantic Sailing Yacht Charters
If you're looking for something different, if you want to test yourself, then Dean C Swift
and the Lucky Linda offer you the challenge you've been looking for - sailing the open ocean on a 25 ft gaff sloop.
Lucky Linda sails with a crew of two - her captain and a mate - to offer varying experiences from frightening to relaxed.
Contact Atlantic Sailing Yacht Charters by email at deancswift@cogeco.ca or phone at 613-936-0184
a site for voyagers - sponsored by Deanworldontario
Self-publishing
