History of Cruising
Prior to the Nineteenth Century origin of the concept of voyaging as a lifestyle, boats were almost exclusively used for work. In 1857, the philosopher Henry David Thoreau, with his book ''Canoeing in Wilderness'' chronicling his canoe voyaging in the wilderness of Maine, was the first convey the enjoyment of spiritual and lifestyle aspects of cruising.
The concept of cruising for pleasure was popularized in the Nineteenth Century, by several widely read authors and books: John MacGregor, 1866, ''A Thousand Miles in a Rob Roy Canoe''; Robert Lewis Stevenson, 1877, ''An Inland Voyage'' and Nathaniel H. Bishop, 1879, ''Four Months in a Sneakbox''.
One of the first people to carry out a long-distance voyage for pleasure, and who inspired many others to follow in his path, was Joshua Slocum, who circumnavigated the world between 1895 and 1898. Despite widespread opinion that such a voyage was impossible and despite being a retired sea captain, Slocum rebuilt a derelict 37-foot sloop ''Spray'' and sailed her single-handed around the world. His book ''Sailing Alone Around the World'' is still considered a classic adventure, and inspired many others to take to the seas.
Other cruising authors have provided both inspiration and useful instruction to would-be cruisers. Key among these during the post war period are Miles and Beryl Smeeton, Bernard Moitessier, and Eric & Susan Hiscock. During the 1970's - 80's, Robin Lee Graham, Lin and Larry Pardey, Annie Hill, Herb Payson, Steve & Linda Dashew and Hal & Margaret Roth have provided inspiration for people to set off voyaging. Most recently, have been writing both inspirational and technical books about voyaging.
