Project Atticus
DIY World Cruising Desiree and Jordan Wicht met while crewing on super-yachts in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. Their shared passion for life at sea led them to save, leave their shore jobs and buy a classic 1963 Allied Seawind, which they named Atticus. Since then they’ve committed to a long-term, hands-on refit and a cruising lifestyle, documenting their progress and passages on their YouTube channel, Sailing Project Atticus.
Their channel traces the entire project from its early days—roughly six years ago—to the present, offering an honest view of what it takes to restore an older cruising yacht and prepare her for offshore voyages. Viewers will find practical refit content that is useful for anyone planning a DIY boat restoration: planning and budgeting, sourcing parts, repairing or replacing worn structural elements, updating onboard systems, re-rigging, and making the boat comfortable and safe for long passages. The videos mix technical work with the everyday decisions couples face when committing to a life afloat.
Beyond the workshop and boatyard scenes, Sailing Project Atticus also follows the couple on their cruising legs, showing how systems perform underway, how they handle seamanship challenges, and how they adapt life aboard for extended cruising. More recently, Desiree and Jordan have been focused on preparing Atticus for an ocean crossing to the Pacific—an ambitious goal that requires careful planning, upgrades for reliability and safety, and a clear understanding of provisioning, weather routing and emergency preparedness.
For sailors interested in refitting classic boats or pursuing world cruising on a modest budget, Project Atticus provides a relatable, step-by-step narrative. The content is especially valuable for people who prefer a DIY approach: it demonstrates how many necessary upgrades and repairs can be accomplished without immediately resorting to professional contractors, while also showing when and why expert help makes sense.
More salty reads
Follow the Leader
Waterway Guide has been a trusted resource for power and sailing cruisers for more than seven decades. The 2020 Northern guide covers coastal waters from Cape May, New Jersey, north through the Hudson River and up to the Canadian border, offering region-specific information that helps mariners plan safe and enjoyable passages.
Designed to lie flat in a cockpit or at a navigation station, the spiral-bound guide divides the coastline into clear geographic sections with local notes on shoaling, navigation aids, bridge schedules, recommended anchorages and other essential cruising details. “Goin’ Ashore” sidebars point out dining options, cultural attractions and places worth visiting when you step off the boat. Practical features include marina listings and locator maps, aerial photography, GPS waypoints, distance charts and tide tables. Durable, laminated covers and bookmark flaps help keep the guide usable through a season of cruising. For cruisers who prefer a reliable paper reference in addition to digital tools, this kind of guide remains an indispensable planning and on-the-water companion. ($45, Waterway Guide Media LLC)
Swan Song
Juan E. Corradi’s long relationship with his Nautor’s Swan 38 Pirate is the subject of his book The Voyages of Pirate: 55,000 Miles on a Classic Swan. Corradi recounts extensive passagemaking—from Bermuda to the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and voyages into the Baltic and Arctic regions—blending navigation and seamanship with personal anecdotes. Family and friends join many of the trips, bringing humor and human detail to life at sea.
In addition to cruising, Pirate enjoyed success in long-distance racing, including participation in high-profile events such as the Newport Bermuda Race and transatlantic competitions that recall the era of blue-water adventure. Corradi’s narrative touches on the varied experiences a classic cruising yacht makes possible: exploring rugged Scandinavian shores, tracing historical and mythic places in the Mediterranean, and sampling regional culture ashore, such as distillery tours in Scotland. The book is a readable mix of practical seamanship, voyage storytelling and the emotional ties sailors form with a beloved boat. ($25, Seapoint Books)
Maritime Maine
Salts & Water is a six-part podcast series that profiles towns and maritime traditions along the Maine coast, including Stonington, Eastport, Searsport, Rockland, Bath and Portland. Each episode runs roughly 14 to 20 minutes and focuses on a single topic or community voice—lobsterwomen, a local fishmonger, the island-hopping experience aboard a windjammer, traditional boatbuilding, and other threads that together paint a rich picture of coastal life.
The series is a concise, audio-rich way to learn about Maine’s working waterfronts and the people who sustain them. Episodes are available through Apple’s podcast app and via the Experience Maritime Maine website, offering an accessible entry point for listeners who want to hear first-hand stories about fishing, boatbuilding, local commerce and coastal culture.