312 pages ~ 181 photos and maps
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.
“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
Third Edition –
Paperback $42
Free delivery worldwide
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
Banyandah, a home on the water
In 1969, when Jack and Judith first arrived in the sunburnt country, there was space everywhere with a feeling of ‘she’ll be right’ that encouraged them to homebuild Banyandah, a ferrocement yacht, while starting a family. After three years of challenging hard work, Banyandah was launched, and their young sons were swimming and running. Jack and Jude became determined to share the wonders of nature with their children before school years beckoned, and set out on what was meant to be a one-year adventure. Amazingly, they sailed the world for fifteen years.
Australia’s Premier Magazine – This narrative of lives well lived is highly recommended.
Around the world touching eighty countries
Jason was three, Jerome just two when the Four J’s began a journey into the unknown with little sailing experience. Frightened and unsure, there were mountainous obstacles to overcome, while their sea roving life took them around the world, touching eighty countries, while running Banyandah School, which took their sons all the way to their final year of high school.
“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
Grandparents now
Life has moved on. Jack and Jude are grandparents now. Their physical forms have weakened, their confidence has been tempered, but they have always heard the call of the wild beckoning them to witness Nature in all her glory.
“Unfortunately I’ve finished reading your book. Because it was a bloody good read!
When does the next one come out?” Petrea Heathwood – Cruising Helmsman Magazine
A planet in peril
Over their lifetimes, they have witnessed humanity’s growing dominance over the wild kingdom—taking what it wants and leaving less for other creatures. This imbalance has altered the natural world, and while modern advancements have brought undeniable benefits to humans, Jack and Jude often question whether such progress has come at too high a cost, robbing all Earth’s creatures of a better, more meaningful life.
“Pearls of wisdom for motivation! Absolutely loved your book, a favourite on my bookshelf.” Rosemary Bartle, Darwin
A good read
In Two’s a Crew, they compare the world of today with the one they encountered in their early travels. Their stories are filled with historical notes and reflections, woven into the adventurous fabric of two grandparents manning a powerful sailing vessel, enduring the elements, and sharing their perspective on a planet that’s rapidly changing.
Two’s a Crew
This narrative of lives well lived is highly recommended.Two’s a Crew is a cruising narrative by Jack and Jude Binder of their circumnavigation of Australia between February 2007 and June 2009. As they say in their first chapter, the story really starts many years before.Having met while back-packing around Europe, they married in England before setting off in a VW van to travel through Africa. On arrival in Australia in 1969 they set about building Banyandah, a 12m ferrocement yacht. By the time of the launch three years later the family had grown to include two sons under the age of four with whom they began a fifteen year odyssey exploring the world by sea. Banyandah then spent as many years on their front lawn before the decision was made to re-experience the pleasures of the cruising life by ‘following in the wakes of Flinders and King’.The voyage starts and finishes at Ballina on the NSW north coast and proceeds anticlockwise with the highlights being on the WA northwest and Tasmania’s southwest coasts.The principle voice of the book comes from Jack Binder through which his affection for his wife and his love of the planet are never in doubt. Although the story of the cruising adventure is always the main focus there are short philosophical digressions which display a constant thread of wonder and amazement in the natural world about them, as well as a fear for its future.
Comments and Reviews of our Books ~
HOVER to Pause