This memoir by beloved adventure author Gary Paulsen recounts how boats and the sea transformed his troubled childhood into a life of purpose and passion. He shares hilarious and harrowing true stories of learning to sail through trial and error, from nearly sinking his first tiny boat to surviving fierce storms on the ocean. More than just sailing tales, it's about finding freedom, self-reliance, and a deep connection to nature when you need it most. Paulsen's honest and humorous voice makes readers feel like they're right beside him on every wave.