May 19, 2026
Few people have inspired more sailors to dream boldly, live simply, and head out to sea than Lin Pardey.
For decades, Lin and her late husband Larry Pardey helped shape modern cruising culture through their now legendary philosophy: “Go small, go simple, go now.” Together they built and sailed two engine-free wooden cutters—the 24-foot Seraffyn and the 29-foot Taleisin—around the world, voyaging eastward and westward, including rounding the great southern capes against prevailing winds.
Through books such as The Self Sufficient Sailor, Care and Feeding of Sailing Crew, and Storm Tactics Handbook, Lin and Larry inspired generations of sailors to believe that adventure, resilience, and meaningful life at sea did not require wealth or large boats—only courage, curiosity, and commitment.
The Pardeys have also been part of the Wooden Boat Festival story almost from the beginning, attending as early as the Festival’s second year and returning many times over the decades to share stories, knowledge, and inspiration with the Port Townsend community.
Now at 83, Lin continues to sail, write, mentor younger cruisers and storytellers, and embrace life afloat with the same spirit of adventure that has inspired sailors around the world for generations. Her latest book, Passages, Cape Horn and Beyond, reflects on a lifetime of voyaging on small boats across big oceans.
This year, Wooden Boat Festival attendees will once again have the chance to hear from Lin herself. Lin will join us in Port Townsend for several presentations and conversations throughout the Festival weekend, sharing stories, hard-earned wisdom, and reflections from a lifetime under sail. Stay tuned for presentation details—you won’t want to miss the opportunity to spend time with one of cruising’s most beloved voices.
At the Wooden Boat Festival, we celebrate more than boats. We celebrate the people whose lives, stories, and spirit continue to inspire others to head toward the horizon.
