What’s more fun than sailing the islands?  Sailing the islands with Travis McGee.  Well, more to the point, with the series of John D. MacDonald novels that made men want to be Travis and women want to posses him.

The Travis McGee series is for the “salvage consultant” among us who likes to take “his retirement in installments”.  The title of each book references a color such as: The Deep Blue Good-By, The Quick Red Fox, The Long Lavender Look, and, my personal favourite, Cinnamon Skin. You get the idea.

The books are trip through the still-developing 1970s male psyche.  There’s much discussion of stereo equipment, sticking it to the ‘man’, and, of course, women.  The women in Travis’ life are always, if not conveniently, unattainable.

But what makes these books the perfect sailing companion is found in the author’s detailed descriptions of Florida’s flora and fauna.  It’s like having a personal tour guide, a personal storytelling tour guide, right at your fingertips.

As the plot twists and turns, MacDonald takes you through the marshes of the Everglades and the coral reefs of the Keys.  These books are a terrific way to get a sense of the beach bum perspective without quitting your day job.

Adding colour to your Island Dreamer sailing adventure, Travis McGee is the ultimate companion, tour guide, and all around “Dude”.