Atom’s Home Port
The Voyages and Practical Sailboat Refits of James Baldwin
For decades, the voyages of the 28-foot Pearson Triton sailboat, Atom, have covered uncounted thousands of miles and two circumnavigations. This site is an archive of refit logs and passagemaking for the sailor who values simplicity and the self-reliance required to fit out and maintain a small, offshore-capable cruising boat.
May your horizon broaden every day.
While I worked refitting my 50-year-old 28-foot sailboat, Atom, as it sat on her trailer under a canopy of shady oaks in our backyard, I reflected on our long-lasting marriage. We served each other’s needs; she was built to sail and, as it turned out, so was I. Memories of our adventures together on the open seas remains as ever-present and sustaining as my own heartbeat.
– James Baldwin, excerpt from Bound for Distant Seas
Across Islands and Oceans
Subtitled A Journey Alone Around the World by Sail and by Foot, in this first book of James Baldwin’s circumnavigation stories, he recounts his shoe-string adventure sailing alone around the world on his 28-foot Pearson Triton sailboat, Atom. Along the way he walks across every island and climbs their highest peaks. Available on Amazon as ebook, paperback and audiobook.
Bound for Distant Seas
Subtitled A Voyage Alone to Asia Aboard the 28-Foot Sailboat Atom. In part one of the Distant Seas trilogy Baldwin sails Atom solo across the Pacific to China on the first portion of their second circumnavigation, this time without engine or electrics in a minimalist-style adventure. Available on Amazon as ebook, paperback and audiobook.
The Next Distant Sea
Part two of the Distant Seas trilogy. Atom sails from Hong Kong across the Indian Ocean to South Africa with prolonged visits to the Philippines, Indonesia and Madagascar. Available on Amazon as ebook, paperback and audiobook.
Home from Distant Seas
Part three of the Distant Seas trilogy. Atom sails from South Africa back to the US to complete her 13-year second circumnavigation. Available on Amazon as ebook, paperback and audiobook.