Flirting with Mermaids: The Unpredictable Life of a Sailboat Delivery Skipper

I’ve never read a book about sailing before, but this little book is more than that. Would recommend to anyone.

Fun read for anyone interested in cross-oceanic sailing adventures. The author seems pretty well balanced, sometimes flaunting a pretty large ego and at times self-deprecating. Kretschmer acknowledges the "romantic" side of operating a sailboat delivery service along with the hassles, personal conflicts, monetary and time setbacks and all the other things that can go wrong with delivering sailboats across oceans. This is a fun & easy read for anyone interested in sailing and global adventure.....

I love this book, and how you don’t have to be super into sailing or know a lot about sailing to understand it or enjoy it. It’s not just about sailing, but hilarious stories and flukes that are bound to happen when on board a sailboat. There are love interests an story lines throughout. My boyfriend who is into sailing recommended this to me and it has taught me so much...as well as why sailing brings join to others. A hilarious and adventurous must-read!

I enjoyed reading FWM. I found it to be a lighthearted title & had purchased the book on a whim as I needed a read for a Western Caribbean cruise. This is not a how to book for those of you looking for that sort of title. But, rather a lighthearted regaling of one sailor's past excursions that will make you smile & laugh at times. I found the recanting of sailing stories to be enjoyable & had me not wanting to put the book down. Some of the Caribbean ports that this captain moored in, well I could see them clearly in my mind's eye as I had once lived in the islands myself. It was a fun read about a fellow that had found his calling in life & some of the trials that he encountered while performing his life's work. As most may know anything involving sails & the ocean is rarely easy or smooth. I wholeheartedly recommend the title. A nice read for a mental "getaway".

Before starting this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it as some of these "My Life" books are testosterone charged ego trips for the author. However, I did enjoy this book and Kretschmer did well in tying multiple stories together to form one good story. As a delivery boat Capitan, I am sure the author has had plenty of uneventful "normal" trips that simply would not make for a good story. Karetschmer picked some of his more interesting deliveries and proceeds to tell the reader of the topsy-turvy life of a delivery boat Capitan.

I received an autographed copy of this book as a gift from someone who has in the past sailed with the author. Now that I have read it, I can honestly say it is one of my favorite all-time gifts. I hope I have the opportunity to sail with John someday. I have read a lot of maritime history, and some of it is very dry and hard to read. Luckily for us, John’s writing style is easy to enjoy. Of course, it helps that I am a sailor, but I am pretty certain someone without sailing experience can enjoy this book. Whether you are thinking about buying a sailboat, or you just like reading about interesting adventures, I think this one is worth your time. One thing I can tell you, is that if you read a book like this and you find that you have enjoyed it, I highly recommend taking an introductory sailing class either through US Sailing or the American Sailing Association. The classes cost a couple hundred dollars, they take three days and it will open your eyes to the wonderful world of sailing. Even the most successful adventurers start with small adventures. That can be yours.

John's books are always entertaining, full of humor and adventure. This on did not disappoint. You always gain sailing knowledge from the various deliveries of sailing vessels all over the world. You also get a glimpse of the intimacy of the man himself.

Like a good wine, Kretschmer's writing improved with age and maturity. This book shows glimpses of what was to come - but never quite delivers on its promise. It's like watching someone beginning to surf - paddling furiously, you were sure they were on the crest and about to catch a glorious literary breaker - only to be disappointed to see them wallowing in the wash behind. As he aged, Kretschmer picked his waves more carefully and his style became more concise and insightful - leaving the sentiment behind whilst delivering on his promise. Not his best work, but a sign of things to come.......

This is a great story written by a person who has led and amazing life of adventure on the high seas. Thoroughly recommend this book and author.

Loved this book. John Kretschmer is crazy about sailing and writes about the alarming situations he gets involved in with a great sense of humour and an amusing use of metaphors. An old man have him sage advice after giving him a sideways look of an iguana. A delightful read!

This is a very good book for any boater but especially for anyone who sail. It is an easy read and is entertaining. Very good selection of stories. Recommend this book.

Storytelling is good, I enjoyed it.

Enjoyed reading this book of John Kretschmers it has humour , adventure and everything you would expect from this dedicated sailor . Many years of delivering various yachts around the world leaves him with a wealth of stories to tell . Twenty years of doing the job he was born for and over 100 delivery trips in all kinds of weather and many stories to tell , I highly recommend this book to all sailors and to anyone who loves adventure .