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Seven at Sea cover art

Seven at Sea

By: Erik Orton, Emily Orton
Narrated by: George Newbern, Erica Sullivan
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Publisher's Summary

Erik and Emily skillfully reveal that it is possible to live big on a shoestring budget while giving their family an astonishing education in adventure, creativity, purpose, and grit.

Working the night shift as a temp in a high-rise cubicle, Erik Orton knew something had to change. He felt the responsibility of providing for his wife and their five children, the youngest with Down syndrome, but craved a life that offered more than just surviving.

Watching the sailboats on the Hudson River during his sunset dinner breaks, Erik dared to dream. What would it be like to leave the hustle of the city and instead spend a year on a sailboat, somewhere beautiful, as a family? Despite having no sailing experience, his wife Emily's phobia of deep water, and already stretching every dollar to pay rent and buy groceries, the family of seven turned their excuses into reasons and their fears into motivation. Sure, they would miss their friends, they could go broke, they could get injured or die. Worst of all, they could humiliate themselves by trying something audacious and failing. But the little time they still had together as a family, before their oldest daughter left for college, was drifting away. The Ortons cast off the life they knew to begin an uncertain journey of 5,000 miles between New York City and the Caribbean, ultimately arriving at a new place within themselves.

A portrait of a captivating and resilient family and a celebration of the courage it takes to head for something over the horizon, this is a deeply compelling story, told alternately by Erik and Emily, for all those who dream of leaving routine in their wake.

©2019 Erik Orton and Emily Orton (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Seven at Sea

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AMAZING FAMILY JOURNEY

Lots of planning even before they set sail but didnt diminish the huge challenges they faced & dealt with …..
AS A FAMILY!!!
Thoroughly enjoyed!

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  • Overall
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Appealing and delightful

As an experienced sailor of 30 years + with 10’s of thousands of ocean miles logged, this story was immediately appealing particularly from perspective of listening to how contemporary inexperienced people prepare and enjoy their voyages today dependent entirely on modern tech . Absurdly green and ignorant of things maritime, this family miraculously persevere through their travels narrowly avoiding disaster with their tribe on board oblivious to potential of dangers. God was in their side in more ways than one. There were no heart stopping scenarios though, as they cruised through mostly sheltered waters of Central America beautifully describing natural anchorages and landscapes seemingly devoid of the rich culture existing there. Insights into their marriage and relationships were insightful kept the story going for me. Unmemorable but thoroughly enjoyable read for any armchair sailor.

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  • Overall
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Excellent

I so enjoyed this audio book. Adventure, family, faith, homeschooling, travel, & budgeting outside the box. Read by the authors (husband & wife). I felt like I was on the boat with them & that I've cruised through the Caribbean islands. I'll listen to it again.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.