Come Hell Or High Water

There are holidays, there are sailing trips, and then there are the sort of adventures that leave you wondering whether dry land was ever such a bad idea after all. In Come Hell Or High Water, Clare Francis recounts an extraordinary real-life voyage with the wit, honesty and understated determination that made her one of Britain’s most admired sailors. This is not a book about lounging on deck with a cocktail while dolphins politely escort the yacht into a picturesque sunset. This is the sea in all its magnificent, terrifying and gloriously unpredictable reality.

Francis was already an accomplished yachtswoman when she set out on one of the toughest endurance challenges imaginable. Battling towering waves, relentless winds, mechanical failures, exhaustion and the occasional reminder that nature remains blissfully indifferent to human plans, she paints a vivid portrait of life far beyond the comforting sight of land. It is an exhilarating story where courage often means simply getting up to face another impossible day.

What makes this memoir particularly engaging is its refreshing lack of melodrama. Francis writes with dry humour and remarkable candour, finding comedy in situations that most sensible people would classify as excellent reasons never to leave the harbour again. The sea, after all, has a curious sense of humour: it lets you believe you’ve mastered it just long enough to remind you that you’re essentially a very optimistic passenger on a floating piece of fibreglass.

Beyond the storms and navigation lies a thoughtful account of resilience, determination and self-discovery. Long-distance sailing strips away the distractions of modern life until only the essentials remain: skill, judgement, endurance and the occasional desperate hope that the weather forecast might actually be correct for once. It is a story about testing limits—not because anyone sensible suggested it, but because some people possess an irresistible urge to discover what lies beyond the horizon.

Whether you’re an experienced sailor, an armchair adventurer or simply fascinated by remarkable feats of endurance, Come Hell Or High Water offers a compelling glimpse into a world where every decision matters and the nearest help may be hundreds of miles away. It reminds us that genuine adventure rarely involves luxury accommodation, reliable Wi-Fi or room service, but it does produce considerably better stories.

This 1981 Sphere edition is in As New condition, remaining wonderfully clean, bright and exceptionally well preserved. A superb copy that looks ready to embark on another voyage, preferably one conducted from the comfort of your favourite reading chair rather than the middle of the Atlantic.

Perfect for readers of travel writing, sailing memoirs, inspirational biographies and true adventure. Add it to your collection today and discover why Clare Francis became one of Britain’s great endurance sailors, proving that sometimes the shortest distance between two points involves thousands of miles of ocean, a great deal of determination and an impressive willingness to ignore the weather forecast. As always from Crappy Old Books—where the only rough seas you’ll encounter are trying to navigate the ever-growing "to be read" pile beside your bed.

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