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     Gene is a successful woodworker in New York with two passions in his life. One is sailing, from the abandoned islands that dot Long Island Sound to the fathomless depths of the Caribbean. His other passion is Kevin—the young man who was his friend, sailing buddy, and lover.

   In all the sailing we did together over the years, I always knew I could rely upon him, trust him, know that the safety of the boat always came first, no matter what bitchy domestic stuff might be going on between us. By our second trip to Block Island in 1984, I realized how much I had grown to need him.

     Deep Water: A Sailor’s Passage is the compelling memoir of a modern-day gay sailor and his adventures with Kevin and many other friends. It delivers a true sense of the realities—both harsh and sublime—of life under sail, whether navigating through Hell Gate in the East River or through dense fog in Cape Cod. More importantly, this book illustrates the special bond between two men committed to one another as they sail together, live together, and care for each other through the best and worst of times.

    I look at Kevin’s profile as he watches the road ahead, and I think how beautiful he is now at 34. He has filled out from the boy who moved into my life 11 years before. I have watched him become a man; I have seen him grow thicker and more confident. I look over at him once again. He is silhouetted by a headlight glare from the left and all his features are blanked out for an instant. Suddenly, I know, with a wisdom that I never asked to be given, that I shall outlive him.

     In Deep Water: A Sailor’s Passage, you’ll find a unique voice—honest, direct, and filled with optimism. The author lived these events; he was involved in the building trades of New York City, handled rusty anchor chain in boat yards on City Island, and held his companion as he died. Through fond memories, good humor, and a touch of the supernatural, Gene learns how to continue with life after Kevin is gone, finding meaning, beauty, and strength through friends and new relationships.