Book excerpt: This book is a candid and humourous account of the author's adventures in sailing. It begins with his first experiences as a teenager with rowing boats in the North East of England. Later he describes the joys of sailing dinghies and cruisers in the South West of England. These adventures range from smooth idylic sails in good weather to a full on ship wreck in storm conditions. His tales of learning to sail expand to yacht racing on the Swan River in Perth and in the Indian Ocean, Western Australia. His lively and candid descriptions of fellow yachtsmen and women he met while sailing add wit and pathos to his abiding love of the sea. The book should appeal not only to experienced yachtsmen but also to the 'arm-chair sailor' who likes to read about sailing. The title of the book is in reference to a comment made by his wife, Anne, when their sailing dinghy sprung a leak during their sail together.