The Voyage of The Aegre: From Scotland to the South Seas in a Shetland boat

The Voyage of The Aegre is a dramatic true story of how a plan to sail a little fishing boat from the Highlands of Scotland down the coast to England turned into a trans-oceanic odyssey for Nick and Julie Grainger.

It was the 1970s and their simple wooden boat was equipped with none of the aids modern yachts enjoy. Navigation was by sextant and compass, food cooked on a Primus, and weather forecasting by guesswork.

Diligent preparation before they set sail eventually saved their lives in the violent storms and dangers they encountered, vividly described in this absorbing narrative.

Their capsize at night in a fierce storm south of Tahiti and subsequent survival makes a gripping climax to the story.

A born storyteller, the author has produced a stirring tale that ranks among classic sea adventures.

'From a simpler age of sailing when you were led across oceans by the sun and the stars, this book deserves to join the classics. It is simply a top class read' Paul Heiney - Royal Cruising Club

' O ne of the greatest sailing stories I have ever rea d ' - John Quirk , Afloat magazine (Australia) .

' The owner of any small boat who plans to sail, one day. beyond the far horizon , must wonder what they would do if the GPS fails and they don't have a sextant, or a mast. The answer lies in the story of the Voyage of The Aegre. A terrific adventure' - John Ridgway , 1966 North Atlantic rower, Round the World sailor, Adventurer, Author.

The Voyage of The Aegre is a story of courage and adventure we don’t often see equaled . Every page takes us deeply into the nitty-gritty of the whole venture, including the self-doubt and interpersonal challenges. As I devoured the work, I remembered my own youth and the hope, strength and sheer energy that kept me going in the hard times. Yet all my experience pales when compared with what happened to them 150 miles out from Tahiti. Their boat is capsized, swept clean and could easily have been left derelict. With no radio or life raft, survival depends on resources, initiative and the refusal to give in. Tom Cunliffe , Yachting World,

An extraordinary story of experience, drama and skill . Tristan Gooley . www.naturalnavigator.com

Completely transfixed by this new book, the story of an almost inconceivable sea journey from Scotland to the South Seas by Nick Grainger and his then-wife Julie aboard a tiny ‘Shetland Model’, 50 years ago. A capsize off Tahiti ended an extraordinary voyage. But the Aegre saw them safely ashore in Samoa. I highly recommend it if, like me, you’ve been addicted to sea survival stories since childhood. Tom Morton , Lerwick, Shetland

The Voyage of The Aegre deserves to become a classic in seafaring literature as it has all the key ingredients – adventurous excitement, serious danger, exemplary planning and self-reliance, The Voyage of The Aegre is not only an account of a journey but also a moving tale of two young people growing up together, forging a relationship in extraordinary circumstances, and facing down unimaginably difficult challenges with inspirational courage. Matthew Sullivan , Librarian, Dinghy Cruising Association

Once started, hard to put down , it will make a truly excellent Christmas gift for the sailor in the house. Highly recommended . John Macfarlane - Boating New Zealand

A well-written tale that charts a young couple's voyage to becoming small boat offshore adventurers. While their capsize off Tahiti is a gripping read, the details of their preparation are fascinating too , Katy Stickland - Practical Boat Owner

This is perhaps the most adventurous 'honeymoon' cruise ever undertaken. Graham Cox - Author of Last Days of the Slocum era