Page count
436
Price
$19.99
Publication date
4/8/25 Pre-order available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
About the book
Captain Rob asks, “How would you like to help navigate my boat across the South China Sea?” It’s euphoria and panic. Norm has never been to sea before, barely been on a boat. The Naked Sailor is a light-hearted memoir of a naïve retiree enticed off to sea…“Don’t worry, it’s mostly Auto Pilot”. Who knew there were pirates in paradise, earthquake tsunamis that rolled over your boat, or a new typhoon every two weeks? Who knew a jellyfish could kill you in thirty seconds or three-foot bats lived in Busuanga? Add three cranky shipmates, the CIA, a bar girl surprise, and a few jokers not playing with a full deck, and you’ll agree…from the sins of Bangkok to the Great Wall of China…this trip is not your ordinary empty nester vacation. Fears and phobias nearly do him in, until he discovers ‘That something magical’, Call of the Sea. It is a story of introspection and self-discovery, of friendship and family. And, it’s what happens when you are floating naked, contemplating the heavens above and all the perils below.
Reviews
the high seas with light-hearted commentary. His vivid descriptions of life at sea immerse readers, making them feel as if they are right alongside him through each wild encounter. The author has a way of bringing readers into his world and explaining and contextualizing events without ever being dry or too long-winded about anything. I found this honest, relatable introspection to be a particular highlight as his openness about his fears and uncertainties adds an authentic layer to the story, offering insights into facing life's challenges with courage and humor. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Naked Sailor as a must-read to fans of charming memoirs where readers really feel a deep connection to the author, as well as those who love a heartwarming tale of real-life adventure."
“A fast-paced and funny memoir through the South China Sea
Author and retiree Norman Coutts travels to Thailand to help one of his good friends relocate their yacht to the Philippines in The Naked Sailor. His long-time pal Rob is moving to be with his new partner, and he invites Norman along as part of the crew for the boat. Despite a lack of knowledge surrounding what it takes to be a first mate, Norman jumps at the chance to travel and spend time with his friends.
Coutts is in for a bit of a shock. He travels with another friend, John, to meet up with Rob, and the three of them embark on what turns out to be a journey of a lifetime. How can anyone pass up the chance to see more of the world with their friends?
Norman, John, and Rob explore various countries and islands on their way to the Philippines, stopping to visit Malaysia, Singapore, and more. Coutts shares his views and changing mindset as he takes readers through the weeks of his trip. From dangerous weather and pirates to hilarious shipmates and new acquaintances, there is much to love in this lighthearted voyage.
Lovers of adventure will not be disappointed with this memoir. Coutts’s travels are fascinating, fun, and a little feral; the things he and his friends encounter along the way are unlike anything he has seen before. Through the previously unworldly eyes of the author, readers see new sights and challenge their own opinions on the way the world works outside of their own bubble of existence.
Again and again, I was struck by the complexity and detail in Coutts’s prose. Passages from the memoir share beautiful sights and intricate details of the cities the three men visit. Coutts paints a picture so vivid you can close your eyes and imagine standing on the streets alongside him…If you are not one for travel yourself, explore the depths of new places through the imaginative and observant eyes of Norman Coutts. His story is one of family, friendship, and self-discovery. While Coutts mentions being maybe a bit older than the typical travelers, The Naked Sailor proves that you’re never too old to grow or to enjoy all the life has to offer. “
https://independentbookreview.com/2025/01/08/book-review-the-naked-sailor/
“An introspective Canadian writer embarks on a three-month journey on the South China Sea in this travel memoir. Coutts’ book opens with a playful exploration of the term naked, exploring literal and metaphorical definitions which are later woven throughout the narrative. The most prevalent definition is “with no qualification or concealment: the naked facts,” as the author admits his inexperience in sailing and travel when he embarked on his journey in 2009. Despite his trepidation, he agreed to go on a three-month sailing trip in the South China Sea from Thailand to the Philippines with two compatriots, Rob and John, on a small yacht named Bob-the-boat. (The author notes that some names in the book have been changed.) Rob, Coutts’ childhood friend, owned the boat, and the author portrays him as a carefree, adventurous foil to his own wariness, introspection, and inexperience, and to John’s overbearing meticulousness. The crew’s journey began in Bangkok, where the author witnessed the area’s historical and cultural vibrance, but also, he says, the dark realities of the red-light district in the Patpong region. The crew later travels to Phuket to set sail, and the sea proves to be as unpredictable as the turbulent weather; they also face threats of piracy, and the men’s personalities clash in the boat’s confined space. By the end of the narrative, the author reflects on his personal growth, often attributed to his navigation of cultural disparities, global inequality, and difficult sea travel. Coutts’ tone throughout the book is often incredulous (“What about pirates, sharks, tropical diseases, typhoons and tsunamis? Isn’t it unbearably hot? And what did I know about motoring yachts?”), but his sweeping, dramatic descriptions of Southeast Asia make for a diverting read. Similarly, the author’s ruminations on his experiences and how they affected his sense of self are compelling. However, readers seeking a fresh take on the travel memoir may be a bit disappointed, particularly by its familiar interpretations of cultural differences between Southeast Asia and North America.
“… The journey to the sea offers a finely drawn canvas of life’s adversities, beauty, and existential insights amid waves of nostalgia and humor. As Coutts sails towards various ports, from Thailand to Singapore, he encounters cultures and individuals that challenge his preconceived notions. Through his narrative lens, the sea becomes a metaphor for life’s unpredictability and beauty, offering a refreshing escape from perilous dangers. The Naked Sailor keenly reflects on embracing vulnerability, friendship, and the intricate dance between fear and adventure. Coutts distills the essence of adventure in his embrace of the “nakedness”—the unguarded exposure of oneself to new experiences and transforming outcomes while learning to navigate both the external ocean and the waters of his soul. One of the best memoirs I have read in ages “
About Norm
Norm has a degree in television production and creative writing. A retired Toronto native, he has been married for over forty years and is a father of two.
This is his first book.
Contact
send along any questions or inquiries you may have, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!