Robert Pirsig

[Ohlin Karcher]

Author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig, has died. Like many millions I read it as a teenager, and benefited from his outlook
I've just learnt he was an ocean yachtsman, taught himself celestial navigation, and vogaged far and wide in Arête, his Westsail 32 bermudan cutter ( a William Atkins design, same lines as Suhaili ).
He wrote his second book ( with more philosophy and fewer motorbikes unfortunately) while blue water cuising. Quite a character!

 

[johnalison]

I didn't know that. Thanks.

 

[Poignard]

I read and enjoyed 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' but I never knew he sailed. I must read his second book.

 

[colind3782]

I had just finished re-reading "Zen" last week on the day he died. Spooky...

 

[newtothis]

Author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig, has died.

I don't think you need the 'has' in that sentence. He died two years ago. In other news, Princess Diana has died

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

I don't think you need the 'has' in that sentence. He died two years ago. In other news, Princess Diana has died

Well done!

 

[Roberto]

I once came into this, a bit gloomy but very well written

http://www.moq.org/forum/Pirsig/cruisingblues.html

 

[RichardS]

I had just finished re-reading "Zen" last week on the day he died. Spooky...

I don't think you need the 'has' in that sentence. He died two years ago.

Shurely shome mishtake. :ambivalence:

"Anniversary", perhaps?

Richard

 

[colind3782]

Shurely shome mishtake. :ambivalence:

"Anniversary", perhaps?

Richard

Not so spooky then. I saw an announcement last Monday so I, incorrectly, assumed that he had just died.

 

[AndrewB]

I once came into this, a bit gloomy but very well written

http://www.moq.org/forum/Pirsig/cruisingblues.html

Yes, a good read. Something one might refer some of the ocean-cruising wanabees on the Liveaboard forum to read. ("My girlfriend and I have decided to sail round the world. I've had plenty of experience sailing an Optimist. What yacht should we get? PS Our savings are £3,000.")

Actually, things have improved since Pirsig wrote this. I recall in the 80's and 90's one would come regularly across abandoned yachts in Spain, Gibraltar, Canaries and even the Caribbean: people who had found out the hard way the dream did not match the reality. The majority of these yachts would be British, a country where 'the great escape' was sold particularly hard: through the press adulation of pioneers like Francis Chichester; by the yachting magazines; and even within yacht clubs where winter lectures seemed to be all about Atlantic crossings.

Nowadays, it is easier to test the lifestyle before becoming fully committed. One can take a berth on the ARC for example. Even in your own yacht, if you don't like it, it can be shipped back by Peters & May. And perhaps we have grown more realistic about dreams.