Larry Pardey Sets Sail on Final Voyage
Legendary bluewater cruiser Larry Pardey sailed away to his final resting place last Sunday after living the past 11 years on the island of Kawau in New Zealand.
Larry started his sailing career as a teenager in North Vancouver, British Columbia, but really made his mark on the sailing world after moving to Southern California in the mid-’60s, where he met his wife and lifetime cruising partner, Lin Pardey. Together they built Seraffyn, the 24-ft wood Lyle Hess-designed sloop, which was the start of a 200,000-mile engineless cruising career. A career that in turn became the foundation of a dozen cruising books, as well as the inspiration for thousands of cruisers who followed in their wake.
Often referred to as “America’s first couple of cruising,” the Pardeys lived the simple life they preached. When it was time to build a bigger boat they moved up from the 24-ft Seraffyn by building the 30-ft Lyle Hess-designed Taleisin in Bull Canyon, CA. Their message of exploration, adventure and simplicity has resonated with sailors for 50 years and may be even more powerful today.
Larry, who was 81, had been suffering from Parkinson’s and Parkinsonian dementia before suffering a stroke that had him living in a nursing home in New Zealand for the past year.
Lin said on her Facebook page, “I will think of Larry every day of my life and feel extremely privileged to have been part of his life.”
We feel a part of the thousands of sailors who were privileged to learn from the the thousands of miles of experience the Pardeys shared through their books, seminars and videos.
You can help keep Larry’s memory alive by contributing to the Larry Pardey Memorial Observatory at Camp Bentzon on Kawau Island.
The Pardeys’ adventures, told through their many books, were inspirations to me and many sailors. Thanks for letting me know he’s off on his last adventure, no doubt still advocating for boats with fewer holes in them. Fair winds and following seas, Larry.
To Lin…it was my and our pleasure to greet you and Larry on your visit to the Adventurers Club of Los Angeles (www.adventurersclub.org) some years back. As a lifelong sailor I have had the pleasure of enjoying the sea as you have.
My best regards,
Martin Bloom
Past President
Thanks for sharing your lives.
Fair winds to a cruising pioneer and icon.
I remember Lin and Larry fondly from when they visited my Tackle Shop in San Diego, this must have been mid-80’s, and I rigged them up for blue-water, slow-speed trolling. We had a lovely visit and a short sail on their boat.
They’re both wonderful, and Larry will be missed.
An inspiration!
A sad day for us all… eight bells and a wonderful legacy.
Strength to you Lin, thinking of the perfect mate.
alas and anon
alooooha
Jerry
And so did Patrick Childress and Brion Toss.
RIP and fair winds
Tremendous loss. Larry and Lin are heroes to me. God Bless Larry, you are in my prayers.
Thank you for being an inspiration to me and my family. Fair winds Captain.
Such an inspiration for me since I started sailing and cruising. Spring Fever and Sherri. Bless you and continue your voyage with the winds!
Thanks to both of them for inspiring me.
aloha and fair winds to an uncompromising legend
Gwen & I met Larry & Lynn several times during our circumnavigation in PRINCESS DEL MAR, during the 80’s & 90’s . I am not sure we ever told them how instrumental they were in our realization that we not need a fortune to cruise. Lynn, Gwen & I offer you our sincere condolences, and wish you well. You have made our lives just a little bit better. Thank you.
“HOME IS THE SAILOR”
Jim & Gwen Johnson
PRINCESS DEL MAR