Running Away to Sea

‘A beautiful story of sea-soaked obsession.' Philip Marsden'A deeply life-giving book... Thoroughly enchanting.' Kim Brown Seely‘A captivating tale…a must read.' Paul Heiney‘The truth is you’ll likely never have lived in rougher, more beggarly conditions than on a small offshore yacht. Yet I will show you that the sea will also make you a king.’Running Away to Sea is the compelling and moving tale of ditching everything to search for new life – and meaning – away from land.In an age of AI takeover, unbridled materialism and social media addiction, Sebastian shows how adventure at sea can restore the raw authenticity we all crave. Joining him on chaotic attempts to learn how to sail in England, we progress to thousand-mile voyages spanning African backwaters, Venezuelan coral reefs, and cliff-bound Atlantic islands.But it’s in tumbling through the places between - the mysterious Sargasso Sea and wild, lonely ocean stretches - that Sebastian and his young family confront the really big questions. What is the true meaning of love, fear, beauty? What are our lives for? And the ocean responds.For anyone curious about the life offshore, Sebastian will guide you out there – one mile, one boat at a time.But this book is just as much for those who may never go to sea and yet, deep down, are longing for a new compass course to the meaning of life itself.With honesty, lyricism, and hard-nosed practicality, Running Away to Sea provides a blueprint for all who feel the world is not quite enough.‘So, step aboard. Steer by that star there and hold fast.’‘Part travelogue, part meditation…a beautiful ode to the sea.' Lulu Garcia Navarro, New York Times journalist‘A chart of how life can be lived to the full.' Tom Cunliffe