Breaking Seas

An Overweight, Middle-Aged Computer Nerd Buys His First Boat, Quits His Job, and Sails Off to Adventure

By: Glenn Damato

Narrated by: René Ruiz

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Do you have a dream you must pursue, but everyone says it's unrealistic? Or that you're not qualified? Too old, too out of shape? Or you don't have the "right experience?"

Glenn Damato was a 41-year-old software instructor who sought to exceed the bounds of his comfortable but humdrum existence. He embarked on an adventure for which he was miserably unprepared. Why did he do this? How did he answer the ancient human question: how do we jump-start growth in our lives? We become something we were not.

The "something" Damato strived to become was neither easy nor simple: an ocean sailing skipper. Overweight and without boating experience of any kind, he decided to pursue his lifelong dream of sailing around the world on his own vessel.

Reckless? Dangerous? Idiotic? Call it what you will, Damato was determined to make the voyage a reality despite the obstacles.

©2012 Glenn Michael Damato (P)2013 Glenn Michael Damato

Don't judge this book by it's cover

Any additional comments?

This is a strange one. It's a great book, well written, engaging, informative ect. But if you're expecting an 'epic journey', then expect it to only last from San Francisco to Cabo.

Strangely I really wish the writer actually achieved what the premise of the book implies, but it's nonfiction, so fair enough.

So good I listened to it twice

Would you listen to Breaking Seas again? Why?

I had to listen twice... it was hilarious, entertaining, and informative. This audio was read with the perfect voice to tell the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Breaking Seas?

There are so many memorable moments one after another,

Which scene was your favorite?

maybe the big naked baby scene could be my favorite memorable scene

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend that you listen to this book. I felt like I lived it, I believe I could easily be found in the same situations given the opportunity, financially that is, to buy a boat. I have dreamed of sailing since I was 10 and wanted that plastic sail boat at Gibson's dept. store. I never got that boat but I never forgot it either. I lived in west Texas growing up and longed to see the ocean and experience the freedom of the wind and the sea. I laughed my butt off while driving and listening to this book (both times). This brought me down to reality, and I felt like I gained the experience of this adventure without actually doing it. I live relatively close to Galveston bay and am currently signed up for ASA BKB 101, I can't wait to started. Thank you Glenn for sharing your experience!

Best sailing book yet

My favorite book about sailing, and I’ve read a lot. A very truthful account of buying outfitting and sailing an ocean going sail boat

Hmmm

A well written good story in my opinion. Just didn’t like the ending. Overall a good listen.

Entertaining tale.

Would you listen to Breaking Seas again? Why?

Yes. Funny and entertaining for a sailor.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Liked the impressions of the female crew.

Which scene was your favorite?

Composting head disaster.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Funny. Honest portrayal. Self deprecating humor.

Any additional comments?

Fun to listen to.

Great book!

Highly recommended, extremely entertainig with a wonderful cast of characters. Glenn spins a great tale of how one man can expand his horizons by chasing the real one on, “The Breaking Seas!”

Guy has unrealistic idea of how women pee

Would you consider the audio edition of Breaking Seas to be better than the print version?

Loved this book and the way the guy writes. Would read anything else he writes.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

You don't change non fiction.

Which character – as performed by René Ruiz – was your favorite?

The main character, the author. Self deprecating as well as egocentric. Forgiving of others, as well as totally unsympathetic.. He is a dichotomy.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

As someone who has bought two old boats and successfully sailed both, I made many of the same mistakes, and had some of the same misconceptions...I found myself laughing or talking out loud during the story. Or anticipating exactly what was about to happen and shouting out when it did.

Any additional comments?

This man clearly watches too much porn, and has never lived with a woman...His idea that a woman can direct the stream of her urine, especially underway in any condition but glassy light downwind conditions, is a direct result of him either seeing shows in Thailand where I hear women project objects with great accuracy out of their anatomy, or porn sites suggesting women "squirting" with legs and thighs splayed out to accomplish this.
So his chem toilet, though nice in theory, was, I feel the main reason for the tension and animosity between him and his crew and was a clear red flag to his female crew that he had not the slightest clue about female evacuation.

Entertaining & informative.

I picked this in hopes of learning something about sailing and what to expect on an upcoming sailing trip with a friend. This was more entertaining than informative, but I definitely still learned something. I expect to be wet and miserable on my upcoming trip. Hopefully I have better luck than Glen did :)

Way more than a sailing story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you're taking up sailing, and you've read a lot of inspiring stories about the lifestyle, you owe it to yourself to read this. Not that it's a total downer, but it's good to hear a different viewpoint.

What did you like best about this story?

This guy is honest with himself, to the point of cruelty. It gets existential. I like that.

WONDERFUL,if you're familiar w/ sailing vernacular

Any additional comments?

I loved listening to this story. Coming from someone that has sailing certifications, but still not a good sailor. If I wasn't familiar with all aspects of a sailboat, i think it would have been overwhelming and not interesting. There are just soooo many details...which makes it a fantastic story for someone familiar with sailing, but just too mind-boggling for someone who isn't. Really enjoined the story of an underdog, someone constantly under-estimated. i loved the life lesson at the end, admired the author's perseverance, his backbone and astonishing knowledge of mechanical systems. I felt like I was on the boat the entire narration.