Sailing the Shallows

In this beautifully told account of small-boat adventure, Roger Barnes takes readers along a series of sea passages through British, French, and Italian waters—sailing close to shore, slipping into rivers and backwaters, and camping where the land and sea quietly meet. Each chapter centers on a real voyage and a real lesson: reading local knowledge, working shoal waters, handling inland passages, and traveling simply and self-reliantly by boat. Practical seamanship and wilderness camping skills are woven seamlessly into the storytelling, making this as useful as it is absorbing. Throughout the book, Roger’s exquisite hand-drawn illustrations bring the journey to life—capturing harbors, anchorages, moments underway, and the character of his beloved boat Avel Dro. The result is a deeply personal and inspiring guide for anyone drawn to quiet coasts, modest craft, and the freedom of going just far enough. By Roger Barnes 303 pages Softcover, 9¼" × 6"