Mad dogs and Englishmen! This is a fine book to read: The Unlikely Voyage of Jack De Crow: A Mirror Odyssey from North Wales to the Black Sea.

In1998 Sandy Mackinnon left his home in England in a Mirror dinghy for a little cruise of a week. He went all the way to the Black Sea by sailing and rowing. He crossed the Channel and navigated thousands of kilometres of rivers, canals and open sea.

This is not something to attempt lightly, but it is an inspiration to us all who usually just go out for a couple of hours in fine weather.

Another legendary voyage is that of Joshua Slocum around the world. Here is an account of crossing the English Channel in a dinghy. The Coast Guard hates it, and not without reason – it is dangerous! Here is a table of great voyages in very small boats from Capitain William Bligh in the shallop of the Bounty to modern times – Famous Small Boats.

I often cruise along a coastline, and find it already an enjoyable challenge. Sailing the open sea is something else, and I wouldn’t attempt it without a lot more experience at sailing and the proper safety equipment. In any case, dinghies are not allowed beyond two nautical miles from a shelter. If you take to the open sea, you risk getting into trouble, and being lost at sea… Think of your family!