Spirit of a Dream

Book excerpt: On October 2, 2013, Dave Rearick began an epic solo voyage around the world. Onboard his specifically built Class 40 racing sloop appropriately named "Bodacious Dream," Dave sailed from Newport, Rhode Island. He sailed the length of the Atlantic Ocean to Cape Town, South Africa, a distance of 8,000 miles. From Cape Town, Dave sailed to Wellington, New Zealand where "Bo" was originally built, and then onto the fabled Galapagos Islands, one of the earth's great nature preserves. On the final leg, Dave returned to Newport, Rhode Island by way of the Panama Canal. The full circumnavigation took 256 days to complete, leaving an indelible memory of the challenges and rewards of being at one with nature, the solitude of the open sea and the ever-changing landscape of life. At the age of 12, Dave Rearick was introduced to sailing on a small boat. By the age of 14, he was captivated by the stories of legendary sailors who raced or sailed single-handed around the world. Forty years later, in 2011, now age 54, Dave finally began his quest to race on-board in the Singlehanded Global Ocean Race. When the race was canceled, Dave, undaunted, continued his quest and embarked on the long-dreamed adventure that became a challenging journey of learning and discovery. Join Dave and Bodacious Dream as they navigate the oceans of the world alone and the personal challenges met along the way.