Rating: 
Summary: "Because I'm the Captain, I get to sleep with Kate tonight!"
Review: ...Rebels of society, buccaneers of modern times, non-conformists, escapees, adventurers, globetrotters, call them what you like; amongst the initiated they're known as yachties. Many have descended upon the palm-fringed beaches and warm waters of the Caribbean. They are followed by the vacationers; guests. Most of those, wealthy, some well known and famous. Together they mingle, match or clash, often with hilarious results. This book is filled with stories of the colourful characters who play their roles in a collection of anecdotes set in a unique, Caribbean culture... These stories were gathered during the author's term as owner and skipper of the luxury charter yacht Ring Andersen. All tales told here are true.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderfully insightful look at life in the caribbean
Review: and a fabulous laugh. No Shoes Allowed is a charming book filled with vignettes of Captain deGroot's travels and guests aboard his beautiful sailing vessel, the Ring Anderson. A great weekend read!
Rating: 
Summary: no shoes allowed
Review: GREAT GREAT GREAT !
anyone who loves boats and has spent any time cruising will love the stories and the characters ... and will relate to the silliness of some of the situations ...
jan degroot has captured the camaraderie of cruising ... the beauty ... the craziness ! the willingness for people to give a hand ... or give advise.
wonderful book ... made me smile !
Rating:
Summary: Laughed until it hurt
Review: Have you ever dreamed of sailing the Caribbean and just couldn't afford it? Well, you will get a good taste of it by reading this book that might make you go to the bank to borrow the money. The author puts you right there on board with the good times, the hardships, the sun and wind, and several funny stories that will make you forget your stressful day. The author shares his life with the reader which makes the author come into your home as someone real. Until I read this book , I never new the U.S. went to war with Russia.
Rating:
Summary: Far beyond my expectations
Review: I am not a boating person and especially not all that interested in auto biographies. Initially I bought this as a present for a nautical minded friend. Before stuffing it in wrapping paper I decided to read a few pages and bingo, I was hooked! I could not put it down! This book contains anecdotes, true stories, of the author's escapades while operating a charter yacht in the Caribbean. It is said that truth can be more exciting than fiction, that certainly is the case here. The stories are fascinating, funny and delightful. The author is a spell binding story teller and I am outrageously jealous of his life style. The book ends with "to be continued". I'll be first in line to buy the next one, land lubber or not!
Rating: 
Summary: Former owner - operator of a crewed charter yacht
Review: I've sailed the same waters, know a few of the same characters, and all the ports, etc. This book tells what it was like in the Glory Days of chartering when most of the boats were owner operated. In its day, Ring was one of the largest, and most popular in the luxury side of the market, but its size was a disadvantage as well. Jan de Groot spins a good yarn. One of the main attributes of a captain is to keep his guests entertained. As a reader you will feel the excitement, fun, sometime aggravation, and danger, sailing the eastern Caribbean. There is even a BIG BONUS, a bounty of wonderful pictures. And there are some true charter business insights such as " What makes chartering unique is.....the operator will be living with his clientele. Or, Chartering is a business.. A business is supposed to make a profit.........from a monetary point of view, chartering is a complete flop". The author quickly balances this, by quoting others who say NO, its the lifestyle!". This is not just a HOW TO book. It is the story of one man's love affair with his boat, his young wife, his children from an earlier marriage, and a spectacular life style at sea. Even if you are not interested in investigating chartering as a business, but like travel, cruising or plain old boating, you will walk away with a warm feeling living the charter life through de Groot's eyes. To find out if he sleeps with Kate, you will have to buy the book because, I wont give that away. Joel Jacobs, Forum Host YachtWorld's From the Bridge Forum...
Rating:
Summary: A wry and engaging glimpse inside the luxury charter trade
Review: In its pages, you can feel the sun shining and those steady winds blowing, hear the lilt of Caribbean English, and slip into island time
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Story
Review: One of the best features of this book is its size and length. Incredibly, Jan has packed a wonderful account of caribbean life iin a very small package (it will fit in your back pocket). The size is misleading as every page is rich with character. I found myself saying 'jeez!' many times in reaction to some of the unbelievable (but true) adventures of 'Ring Anderson' and crew. This is one of those books that will really make you hate your job...unless your job is captain of a 100'+ charter yacht. However, Jan doesn't make it sound as though it's a job spent reclining on deck catching some sun. He does wonders to suppress that myth and put it into a more down-to-earth perspective. Still, it's better than being stuck in a cubicle breathing everyone elses exhalations.
Rating:
Summary: What a life
Review: Sage words on life and business. This book is a wonderful read if you have been to the islands or not. Insight is given on the charter industry and the personal relationships involved in such a job. Mr. DeGroot is a smart and amicable guy.
Obviously this is his first book and the writing is a bit stiff at the beginning, but don't give up he loosens up and turns into a wonderful story teller.
Highly recommend this entertaining read! And then don't stop till you are done with the second book!
Rating:
Summary: What a life
Review: Sage words on life and business. This book is a wonderful read if you have been to the islands or not. Insight is given on the charter industry and the personal relationships involved in such a job. Mr. DeGroot is a smart and amicable guy.
Obviously this is his first book and the writing is a bit stiff at the beginning, but don't give up he loosens up and turns into a wonderful story teller.
Highly recommend this entertaining read! And then don't stop till you are done with the second book!
| 
