Racundra’s First Cruise

A boat fitted with a writing desk, bookshelves and broad bunks becomes both a home and a means of exploring the Baltic. In this account of sailing and life aboard Racundra, the narrator explains how years of planning produced a sturdy cruising boat that one person could manage. Details of the sails, storage spaces and cabin show how comfort and practical seamanship shaped her design. There is humor in the contrast between ambitious preparations and an engine that proves of little use on the first cruise.

Along the Estonian coast, the account turns from equipment to people. Captain Konga, living on a wreck, teaches the visitor to make nets and shares stories while strong winds delay departure. His fishing, multilingual logbook and lively recollections give the coastal encounters a distinct character. Readers interested in small boats will find close observation of their workings alongside the pleasures of conversation and a sailor's everyday resourcefulness.