Tightwads on the Loose by Wendy Hinman

Tightwads on the Loose wins the Journey Award for Best True Life Adventure Story! Winner of Readers Favorites.
BUY IT NOW


Journey Awards Logo
Tightwads on the Loose tells the story of Wendy and Garth, lured to sea by the promise of adventure. They buy a 31-foot boat that fits their budget better than it fits Garth’s large frame and set sail for an open-ended voyage, never imagining they’d be gone seven years, or cover 34,000 miles at the pace of a fast walk. They live without most “necessities” and learn that teamwork and a sense of humor matter most as they face endless “character-building opportunities.”

Tightwads on the Loose offers a fun read to the armchair adventurer — or anyone afflicted with wanderlust.

Tightwads on the Loose: A Seven Year Pacific Odyssey
by Wendy Hinman
ISBN 978-0984835003
$19.95 Paperback edition 386 Pages
The book features photos, a book club reader’s guide and an interview with the author.
Also available in eBook format.
Available through your independent bookseller or Amazon.com. More than 145 reviews on Amazon, mostly 5 star reviews. In audio.

Read an excerpt from Tightwads on the Loose – Kanmon Kaikyo, Japan

Listen to an audio sample of our initial foray offshore at the start of our 7-year pacific odyssey. Narrated by Robin Karno.

Here’s another audio clip of a close encounter with a ship off the coast of Mexico. Narrated by Robin Karno: (Mexico_Ship_Encounter_scaryclose_clip)

Advance reviews for Tightwads on the Loose:

“A light-hearted tone and unaffected style make this an entertaining tale.” San Francisco Book Review

“Dreams of freedom and adventure: For most people, they remain just that — dreams. For certain others, like Wendy Hinman and Garth Wilcox, such dreams are the stuff life is. In 2000 the couple set sail from Puget Sound for a Pacific Odyssey in their 31-foot cutter, Velella. Seven years later, the couple returned home. Along the way, they logged some 34,000 nautical miles, touched 19 countries, endured typhoons, experienced close calls with freighters, potential pirates and phantom night vessels, swam in snake and crocodile infested waters and made do without refrigeration and Internet. A compelling read, “Tightwads on the Loose: a Seven Year Pacific Odyssey” flows as an adventure narrative with a “you are there” flavor. Ms. Hinman had done plenty of professional writing before the voyage: She’s as competent with the written word as she is at sea. And she clearly has a sense of humor — a necessary, conjugal survival tool within the confines of a 31-foot boat small enough to prevent her husband from standing straight up.” Mike Dillon, Magnolia News

“Alternately hilarious, exciting and thought provoking, Tightwads on the Loose tells what happens when two people with very disparate personalities set out in a too small boat with a too small budget. Tightwads on the Loose will take you on a glorious romp around the Pacific.”
Elsie Hulsizer, author of Glaciers, Bears and Totems: Sailing in Search of the Real Southeast Alaska and Voyages to Windward: Sailing Adventures on Vancouver Island’s West Coast

“Enjoy a wild ride with Wendy Hinman’s Tightwads on the Loose: A Seven Year Pacific Odyssey. The pragmatist and the dreamer (at one point Wendy likens herself to Tinker Bell) make entertaining travel companions, and the places they visit capture the imagination.”
- Janna Cawrse Esarey, author of The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman’s Search for the Meaning of Wife

“Lively, thoughtful and entertaining, “Tightwads on the Loose” offers a realistic glimpse into the ups and downs of living the cruising dream. Armchair sailors can enjoy the ride, while aspiring voyagers will appreciate Hinman’s honesty. She aptly demonstrates that like most worthwhile pursuits, long-distance voyaging is far from easy, and that’s a large part of what makes it so satisfying.” Three Sheets Northwest

What some readers are saying about Tightwads on the Loose:

Neil Sirman “In my humble opinion, your book is really bloody good! good “voice”, you are believable, personable, convincing, sympathetic, and I especially enjoy the way you chose words in some sentences that make me pause and reread the passage to savor your insight and intelligence. I finished your fine book in the early hours of the morning. I consider it to be perhaps the best of all the voyaging books I have read.”

Patricia de la Bretonne “I am soooo blown away and in awe, first of all about the amazing journey you were on, and then the wonderfully amazing book you wrote about it!”

Jeanne Verville “I can’t express my awe at your adventure, your decision to live in the moment, to leave behind the trivia that makes up so much of an ordinary day. What courage you and Garth have! I cannot imagine in my wildest dreams ever even considering a short leg of your journey. Thank you for providing a role model for following your dreams. Thank you for writing about your experience so I could share it (from the comfort of my cozy lair).”

Dana Greyson “I really loved your book. Even though “The Spice Necklace” is written by a former magazine editor, the quality of your writing is much better. My husband practically devoured your book, even ducking out of work some to do so.”

Wayne Johnson “Your book is marvelous! It puts your readers right there alongside you and Garth with all the ups and downs, troubles and triumphs which that trip generated. I think it deserves a movie!”

Toni Haley “Though I’m not a 7 year cruiser, I do so love to travel and identified with so many aspects of the book — the heat, the fatigue, the entry into a new place, the change in how time is measured, the strange foods, the getting about by feet/scooter or whatever, the forgetting about “home”, the not wanting to return (but sometimes wanting to get the hell out of where you are), the weariness, the fear, the being cheated or preyed upon, the language barriers, the language connections, the people, the cost, the wondering, the ever changing landscape and attitudes, the delight of so many new things and ways of being …….”

Kim Dueringer “I’ve loved your book. It’s like dessert. I’ve looked forward to reading each section at the end of a busy day.”

PJ Baker “My book club chose your book and I’m so happy about that because I can’t wait to talk about it with them. I couldn’t put it down.”

Star A. Keithley “Tightwads on the Loose is one of the best books I’ve ever read! If anyone ever wants to tour the Pacific Ocean, this is definitely a “Must read” book. You’ll learn the in’s and out’s before you go. If you never want to tour the Pacific Ocean, this is a “Must read” book! You’ll be able to take the tour, via the book!”

Kim Dueringer “I’ve loved your book. It’s like dessert. I’ve looked forward to reading each section at the end of a busy day.”

Ken Fitzgerald “Just finished your book. Loved it!! Thanks for telling your story and reminding me of mine.”

Mary Thornton “Wonderful! I really enjoyed it.”

Christina Marie Kimball “I’m popping up every 2 chapters to get my chores done then dive in to the next round of your storytelling. Thank you for writing your book.”

Dana Greyson “I really loved your book. Even though “The Spice Necklace” is written by a former magazine editor, the quality of your writing is much better. My husband practically devoured your book, even ducking out of work some to do so.”

Jule Meyer “It is a true adventure!”

Kevin Reynolds “Overall, I was very impressed and am recommending the book to my friends, reading excerpts to my kids, and getting my Dad a copy for his birthday.”

2 Responses to Tightwads on the Loose by Wendy Hinman

  1. Pingback: My top 10 from the 2013 Seattle Boat Show « Woman-owned Sailboat