OUR LATEST
Around the World in a Homemade Boat
Increased our knowledge,
Intensified our love for Earth,
And inspired us to help shape the future.
A city boy meets a country girl who always says ‘yes’ to an adventure, and together they journey to Australia, where they homebuilt a sailing yacht while starting a family. After three years of challenging hard work, Banyandah was launched, and their young sons were swimming and running.
Embark on a remarkable true adventure in:
Around the World in a Homemade Boat with Kids by Jack and Jude Binder
This non-fiction travel memoir is part of the Tujays Trilogy, and perfect for young adults and adults who dream of distant horizons, wild oceans, and unconventional lives.
For thirteen years, the Four J’s — Jack, Jude, Jason, and Jerome — sailed a homemade boat beyond civilisation and comfort into the wide, untamed world. While history’s great explorers journeyed without their families, the Binder family explored the globe together.
They called their thirteen-year odyssey “Voyages of Education,” home-schooling their sons through the most formative years of childhood while navigating before GPS, using a sextant to measure the heavens to find their place on Earth as they crossed vast oceans with no safety net.
Seamanship was not romance, but discipline with long watches, when heavy weather required hard decisions, and then the relief of landfall appearing exactly where it should.
Anchoring off countless remote islands and isolated shores, they witnessed not only the planet’s breathtaking beauty, but also the steady invasion of humankind’s footprint into even the most distant places.
More than a sailing story, this is an epic true account of exploration, resilience, and family living in direct relationship with a changing world, raising their children not apart from the planet — but as part of it.
Together, they didn’t just visit nature. They lived within it.
To Africa for a safari in the last wild kingdom.
Then the Galapagos to wander through the intricacies of nature.
Onwards to Rapa Nui to witness the results of over-population.
Sailing everywhere in between
Contemplating life, eternity, and the marvellous creation.
Accompanied by sea fairies whispering their ageless secrets.
Adding historical notes, and keeping the scary bits true to life, created a most amazing coming of age saga. Inspirational for young minds – and all of us who love life and Earth.
Comments and Reviews of our Books ~
Trevor Norton
Two’s a Crew ~ It’s a great read, very informative.
Every cruising boat should have a copy.
West Coast Yacht Charters
Strahan, Tasmania
Niki and Lauren at ZULU Waterways
TWO’S A CREW
The book is fantastic. So well written and a perfect balance between sailing details and historic notes and written with a raw honesty which is so essential for a Cruising book.
Niki and Lauren at ZULU Waterways
Bill and Juanita
We both have now read Where Wild Winds Blow.
The history of aboriginals saddens us but good to learn.
You have encouraged us to Put Nature First.
A good approach to life. Thanks
Liam Harris
I love my book and video that I purchased from you and I’m watching and reading them the second time around 🙂
Best of luck and very much looking forward to reading about your adventures.
He raves about your books to anyone who will listen
Jeffery from South Australia wrote, Absolutely loved your books, felt like I sailed along with you and experienced every adventure with the same views about the environment.
I’ve sent both your books to my elderly father (85) who spent the majority of his life on the River Murray and was always around boats. He’s now in an aged care home. Regardless he is a tough critic but raves about your books endlessly to anyone who will listen.
Susan Schieder
You guys are amazing!
My partner and I are building a boat and found your voyage under Australia to be so inspiring. Quite clearly you told us about the importance of having routines in place, who does what, what to watch for. We purchased all three of your books and reading them has given our confidence a big boost. Thank you.
Lisa from WA
Where Wild Winds Blow has changed my life. I read your dedication from a copy in the library and immediately bought your book even though I have never sailed and may never step on a boat. The thought scares me. But through you two, I have vicariously experienced true love and known the courage Earth’s great explorers must have had. God Bless.
Gil Kaltenbach
Where Wild Winds Blow.It’s a great read!
I was surprised that I couldn’t put it down for I had already followed you on your blog.
The historical notes are always very interesting and I loved how you included stories from your past sailing adventures too.
You both have a wonderful and infectious sense of adventure. Thank you!
Dr. James Fitzpatrick
Oh my god, you two are brilliant. It is strange having read this ‘chapter’ of your life and knowing that much about such a brave and loved up couple. Thank you for sharing the stories.
Chief Investigator
Marulu – The Lililwan Project
Mark Sheen
Well done Jack and Judith….
I really find you guys inspiring.
I live to see the wild places of Earth.
Mark Sheen
Judy Cooperman in USA
“Your writing style has the perfect pace.
It creates strong images yet skips along without wasting words. Sort of London, sort of Hemingway, but all Capt. Jack.
Your love for each other peppers it perfectly. Good show, and thanks!”
Rosemary Bartle
“Pearls of wisdom for motivation!
Absolutely loved your book,
A favourite on my bookshelf.”
Graham Swannell
“Great reading!
Felt I was experiencing some of the world beautiful places.
Also learnt something about sailing and decisions one has to make to be safe.”
Graham Swannell
Head of Design Aeronautical Engineers Australia
Margaret Muir, author
“I love your evocative descriptive passages.
Judith’s presence is felt throughout, sharing the same strength, courage and love of the wild as her man.”
Margaret Muir, author of Floating Gold, Sea Dust, & Condor’s Feather
Diane
Your books are all so well written and are such a joy to read and imagine what it all must be like. My husband has just purchased a boat (inspired by the BANYANDAH!)
I just want to say that the world needs more people like you and thank you for sharing your stories. We hope to be “guided” through our adventures by you both. All the best to you and yours, Diane
Nick Sabardin in France
I’m halfway through the book about your circumnavigation of Australia and I’m loving it.
I actually just ordered the DVD to enjoy the footage.
I like your thoughts on life, Earth and mankind, and your writing style too!
Caitlin and Michael ~ “Bass Voyager”
We took your advice and crossed the Strait to King Island, Three Hummock Island and, since yesterday, pretty Stanley!
We owe you a great debt of thanks as we have had such a wonderful time exploring the Western islands of Tassie – and now we are on the Tas mainland – a dream for both of us since we were kids!
Phil Ross, Editor Cruising Helmsman
If you do not follow their blog, I suggest you subscribe.
Alongside Alan and Pat Lucas, if ever there was a couple like Lin and Larry residing in Australia then Jack and Jude would have to be it.
Phil Ross Editor
HOVER to Pause
AUSTRALIA - SAILING - ADVENTURE
[Buy Here]
One of the world’s greatest adventures – Following Flinders wake around Australia – 9,000 nautical miles across six climatic zones. Jack and Jude have been exploring Earth for over 50 years. In Two’s a Crew, they embark on a remarkable circumnavigation of their homeland, Australia, recreating their first voyage taken three decades earlier through this ancient land of breathtaking beauty, with its harsh and remote landscapes and enduring mysteries that continue to baffle even the greatest minds.
[more]
I really enjoyed Two's a Crew. Having had a taste of the cruising life I really related to all the boatie challenges, joys, and concerns, though I think readers who have never spent any time cruising but yearn to, would enjoy it as well. As a memoir and travelogue, it succeeded and certainly champions we "mature adventurers".
I particularly liked the historical background you give of the places you visited, and the commentary on the natural history as well.
Linda Collison, Author of Star-Crossed, and Rocky Mountain
The book is fantastic. So well written and a perfect balance between sailing details and historic notes and written with a raw honesty which is so essential for a Cruising book. Niki from Zulu Waterways
"I love your evocative descriptive passages. Judith’s presence is felt throughout, sharing the same strength, courage and love of the wild as her man."
Margaret Muir, Author of Floating Gold, Sea Dust, Black Thread, & Condor's Feather
True Stories from the Sea and Faraway Places
An odyssey lasting far longer than ever imagined.
AUD$39 Free delivery worldwide (zones 1 - 4)
[Buy Here]
Reflections in a Sailor's Eyes follows our exploration of life through sixteen short stories starting with our 1969 African Honeymoon when we became lifelong partners on an overland journey from England to South Africa in a derelict VW van.
Several short stories put you in the action during our adventurous, sometimes dangerous time sailing the world with our sons, from infants to young men. Plus, there are anecdotes adding a different perspective now that we are older and still exploring Earth aboard the same craft we homebuilt in 1973.
A book for all who like adventures, courage, love, and encouragement
[Buy Here]
What was our most frightening moment? Our greatest storm? Pirates?
How did we raise our children afloat from infancy to young men?
In Where Wild Winds Blow, we recall unforgettable highlights of our sea roving life while taking Banyandah on a challenging and rewarding exploration of the Australian islands and coastline exposed to the Great Southern Ocean.
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'Where Wild Winds Blow reveals more than the intoxication of a sea voyage in the company of dolphins, whales and sea eagles.
Written in Jack’s inimitable style – sometimes brash, often touching, but always heart-warmingly honest. The author has a masterly way of seeing Nature in all its awesome beauty.'
Margaret Muir, Author of Floating Gold, Sea Dust & Condor's Feather
'Perfect pace creating strong images without wasting words.'
Judy Cooperman, LA
'You two are brilliant! Such a brave and loved up couple.'
Dr. James Fitzpatrick, The Lililwan Project
Click here to read the first chapter
Practical Boat Bits and Tips
[Buy Here]
The simplest and best ideas complied from the building, maintaining and managing vessels for forty years. Illustrated with photographs, diagrams and in Jude’s unique style. As Cap’n Jack says, “Best take her word, she’s the one that keeps Banyandah in top shape.”
BOOK SHOP
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Dear Jack and Jude,
Initially I’d love to order 2 copies. Would eventually like to get some into the office.
Megs
West Coast Yacht Charter, Strahan Tasmania
As always I love reading of your adventures, and Yes! please reserve a copy of your book for me.
Cheers Rosemary