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I recently wrote Only In America: An American Boating Adventure which chronicles my 6,100 mile voyage from Ft. Lauderdale to New York to Chicago to New Orleans in my 17-foot Montauk. The book and more information about the journey can be found at www.onlyinamerica.biz

My friends and I had dreampt about The Trip (as it came to be known) for years. Then one day we realized if we didn't take The Trip soon we'd be old and gray and still carrying-on about navigating The Whaler around the United States. Eight months later we had a theme (Only In America), corporate sponsors, we even a logo. We than placed the boat on the trailer and towed her from Redondo Beach, CA to Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

For next 112 days my crewmates and I tackled rivers and lakes, alligators and snakes, horrendous storms and endless summer days - From the Intracoastal Waterway to Old Man River, Chesapeake Bay, Erie Canal, Great Lakes and the Ten-Tom Waterway. But, our fellow countrymen, the funny, quirky and incredibly generous American people are the real story. Over 50% of the time we were taken-in by people we'd never met. Only In America!

Although the trip took place in 1987 (when I was 24), it was only a few years ago that I discovered an old box which held my daily journals from the voyage, journals that I forgot I kept. Four years of writing and editing and I (self) published the book this past June.

Today, people will see me in The Whaler and explain what an incredible boat I have. I simply respond "A Whaler will take you wherever you want to go."

Thank you for your time, and if you decide to purchase the book, I hope you enjoy the read. Also, if you would like the book signed, I would be happy to do so, just let me know.

John Mirassou
Only In America

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Sounds likan incredible journey and I'm sure loads of tales and photos. Can you post some of the excitng ones on a photo site and share them with us? Do you still have that same Whaler?

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Great story John,

Please share more about this adventure and post a few pictures of this fantastic journey... I recall reading about a guy who took a whaler 17 from the NY -- North east area (not sure from exactly where) to Florida... If I recall BW even sponsored some of that...

It was not like your trip...

Very Cool...B)

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When I give presentations about the voyage and the book I'm often asked do you think it would be the same today. I respond by saying I believe the American people would be just as friendly and the scenery just as beautiful. The big difference would be the technology. The Trip took place way before instant messaging and digital cameras.

Yes. Pictures. That is probably my biggest regret of the adventure. When we headed north from Ft. Lauderdale we had a video camera and a quality 35 mm camera. The video camera lasted about three weeks (I think it just got bounced to death) and we dropped the still camera in the water a few weeks after that. We picked up another still camera but it didn't work very well, took a couple of weeks to figure that out.

Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of photos. I guess that's why the book is 350 pages long. Actually, originally was 450 pages before the editors got to it :)

All that being said, I would be more than happy to post what I have. Some of the best photos are found in the newspaper articles before and during The Trip.

John
Only In America

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Wow, what a fantastic journey that must have been. Do you still own the Whaler you used?

The preview of your book sounded great. I've actually heard of your journey years ago......not sure the source though.

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Everyone should to take a look at the Boston Whaler newsletter Mike just posted in the download section for January 1988. This newsletter from Boston Whaler describes the adventures of "Only in America, only in a Montauk"...

http://www.whalercentral.com/download...?cat_id=17

What an exciting and adventurous trip that had to have been John.

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Yes, it was quite the adventure. Often, when people pick up the book, they say "Wow, it's a long book." My reply "Yes, but it was a long trip." And, the adventure continues. Through writing the book I have had the pleasure of getting to know Penny Dunklee, Dick Fisher's daughter. Penny actually wrote the book's Forward. She is a great lady, a real pistol. Her son lives here in Southern California and we met at the LA Boat Show last year.

And yes, I still have the boat. As a matter of fact: I proposed on bended knee (to my wife) on her bow, spent most of my bachelor party on her and even spent part of my wedding day upon her decks, wife in her wedding gown and all.

Now, my five year old son's favorite thing to do is to "Take The Whaler to Catalina."

John

PS: I wish I was smart enough to think of it at the time. But, since I proposed on the boat there is no way my wife will ever let me sell her. :)

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I read OIA a couple months back and really enjoyed it. I stumbled upon a post while doing some research and it lead me to the OIA website. I was surprised that the excerpt that was on the website centered around my home marina. I ordered a signed copy right away. Reading that book made me want to order a full canvas enclosure for my Outrage and head out on an adventure. Actually, maybe upgrading to a 25 cuddy would be a better plan!

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I have John's book, it's a great read! Will re-read it in March, break up the no boat season.....
Ted

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[color=#0000ff]I was on the Whaler News mailing list at the time. I very well remember reading about your journey. I think I kept that issue as well, I was so impressed with the idea of doing such a trip.

Thanks for posting up here. [/color]

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Wow! I just read the old Whaler News article. Takes me back. There were a few prominent questions asked continuously along the journey. When we would pull into a marina with the stern packed to the gunwales and throw cushions and the chartbook and the like strewn throughout the bow, someone would inevtiably ask: "What are you doing with all that stuff in your boat?" Upon hearing our reply, almost without fail, the passerby(s) would respond, pointing at our trusty vessel, "You came from Ft. Lauderdale in that?" Of course this was typically followed by: "How about I buy you a beer and you can tell me about this adventure of yours."

While on The Trip I discovered the many advantages to long distance cruising in a small boat:
1) We never had to wait for one drawbridge. In one particular instnace, the crew had to duck way down, and we had to maneuver the center console railing around a bolt underneath the bridge, but never had to wait for one drawbrige.
2) Never was turned down from a harbor master. Many times we were told, over the radio, that the marina was full. Then we explained we were in a 17-foot Whaler. "A 17-foot Whaler? I think we can find room for you."
3) Cruising at 30 knots rather than 8 knots.
4) You can waterski behind a Whaler, which we did, 80 days that summer. Connelly Waterskis was a big sponsor.
5) Gas mileage.
6) You save a tremendous amount of money on food and drink because locals won't let you pay for anything.
7) It's a whole lot more fund cruising in an small boat.

Now all I need is 3 1/2 months off of life to do it again.

John

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I want to thank everyone for purchasing the book. As you may know, fifty cents from each book goes to Operation SendOff, a charity which insures family members are present when our troops leave or return from their tours in Irag and Afghanistan. Just yesterday I sent a check to Operation SendOff for $300

Why Operation SendOff? Since last February, I was working with Boston Whaler to take three Whalers from Washington DC to Boston. The plan was utilize the adventure to promote Boston Whaler and the book.

Through Whaler I was introduced to the Navy Admiral(ret.) who runs Operation SendOff. The plan was to have distinguished veterans (some of who are disabled) climb aboard for different legs of the voyage. (The idea was born from the Admiral's idea to have Americans take distinguished veterans out for a day of boating.) It was during this time I thought it worthy to donate .50 of each book to Operation SendOff.

Unfortunately, the economy fell off a cliff and Whaler was forced to shelve the idea. However, the charitable contribution remains in tact.

Thank you again for your support. To learn more about Operastion SendOff please visit www.operationsendoff.org

John