John Kretschmer

Represented by John Silbersack

John Kretschmer is a writer, professional sailor, lecturer, and businessman. One of the world’s most accomplished voyagers, he has logged more than 300,000 offshore miles, including a record-breaking voyage around Cape Horn. His sail-training passages take a uniquely philosophical and hands on approach to offshore sailing and sell out years in advance. He is the author of four highly regarded non-fiction books, including SAILING A SERIOUS OCEAN and AT THE MERCY OF THE SEA, both published by McGraw-Hill. Mercy, which was optioned by Cassiopeia Pictures, was also chosen as a “best book” by the Southern Booksellers Association. SAILING A SERIOUS OCEAN was one of the top selling sailing books in the world. His first book, CAPE HORN TO STARBOARD, was originally published by McGraw Hill in 1986 and reprinted as a Mariner’s Classic by Burford Books in 2010. His memoir, FLIRTING WITH MERMAIDS, has been in print since 1999 and is much loved by the sailing community. He has written hundreds of articles for the sailing and travel press, including Smithsonian, Islands, Sky and others. He is a contributing editor for Sailing Magazine and was a travel columnist for the Miami Herald. John has won two Boating Writer International Awards in the Adventure category. He has lectured all over the world, including The Explorer’s Club in New York, the Royal Cork YC in Ireland, the US Naval Academy in Maryland, and many others. He has also appeared on radio and television programs in the US and Canada, including the CBS Morning News, NPR and CBC Radio One. John is in demand for his presentations on leadership and crisis management.

John’s latest book, SAILING TO THE EDGE OF TIME, was published by Bloomsbury on November 13, 2018. It’s a deeply personal account that includes crossings of the Atlantic and the Pacific, a narrow escape from a coup in Yemen, an unlikely deliverance from a coral reef off Belize, as well as more serene, introspective passages where trade winds are blowing and stories are flowing. His crew has included CEOs, actors, athletes, writers, teachers, kids – such a varied and interesting collection. John’s narrative is interwoven with practical tips and advice on seamanship and, just as importantly, his hard-won insights about making the most of our lives. He truly believes we find out who we really are, and what we are capable of, far from the shackles of land, when we find a place where time changes shape; days may merge into one another, but minutes are memorable.

To live adventurously is to live more fully, and that is the life John Kretschmer continues to live. In this book he shares his simple profundities that will inspire those who live to sail, and those seeking something more rewarding from life.

Website