Snow Petrel

Available as an ebook (click here), paperback (click here) or also as an audiobook (here)

In this internationally acclaimed voyaging classic, thirty-one year old expat Kiwi, Ben Tucker sets off from Tasmania in his small home-built yacht with the tentative goal of reaching mainland Antarctica. As crew he has recruited his youngest brother Matt. His destination is the remote Mawson’s hut at Cape Denison – statistically the windiest sea-level location on the planet – with a possible diversion to the South Magnetic Pole. His budget cannot even stretch to a second-hand radar….

This fascinating voyage (and its backstory of a family of five boys raised aboard a traditional ketch) is recounted with by his father Jon, who was allowed to join his sons as their cabin-boy at the last minute – on the promise that he will do as he is told! His book has become a classic, selling thousands of copies in over forty countries. As well as being by far the smallest of the five expedition yachts to have ever reached this destination, the Snow Petrel voyage was notable for being a non-sponsored family event. No other sailing vessel has successfully reached Cape Denison since this achievement.

The book continues to steadily sell internationally, in all formats and can now be considered a sailing classic. It has been hailed as a work of considerable literary merit, constructed in a form which allows the backstory and technical detail to be woven into the narrative. Its readership even includes a significant proportion of women with no sailing background, drawn to the personal interrelationships embedded within the text.

It is available in four formats –  colour paperback (click here) and a much cheaper black & white paperback (click here). (The full colour format makes excellent gift copies.) Also as an ebook and an audio-book (see above for availability).

REVIEWS:

… an exceptional work from a gifted writer … the story is so compelling that one wishes it not to end.’
– Janet Upcher, Book reviewer, Tasmania

… a textured, intriguing, exhilarating story.’
– Rachel Edwards, radio book show host

… up there with the best. Jon’s writing style is perfect.’
– Don McIntyre, adventurer/columnist

Snow Petrel consists of two quite separate books. One is an extraordinary tale of sailing – well outside the genre of most sailing books. The second provides an insight into a very special family.’
– Dr Nick Gales, Director, Australian Antarctic Division

Passages to the southernmost continent in non-sponsored yachts, especially one this small, are rare, but one where a father goes along as crew for two of his children is exceptional. This is as good a description of transiting pack ice as I have read. An essential read for all who love our planet’s wild places.‘  -Tom Cunliffe, sailing columnist, – ‘Great Seamanship’, Yachting World