This work investigates the practical realities and logistical challenges of completing a transatlantic voyage aboard a small, privately owned sailing vessel. Eric C. Hiscock, a seasoned sailor and author, draws upon his extensive personal experience in long-distance cruising to document the technical requirements of ocean navigation. The text serves as both a personal account and a manual for those interested in the mechanics of small-craft maritime travel.

Experts in the sailing community recognize this book as a classic account of mid-20th-century ocean cruising. Readers frequently note the technical clarity of the prose, which provides a realistic look at the rigors of life aboard a small boat.