Cuban Odyssea

You just never know who you are going to run into along the way.


The Author, Chuck Jones

The hardy little ship, a Catalina 27 beefed up for the trips with a new, keel stepped mast, 4" cockpit drains, through-bolted (non)sliding hatch, and countless more of the little details that go into making a ship ready to cross even "little" oceans.

Chuck Jones has spent the last 6 years taking his little ship, Our America across to Cuba some twenty plus times, bringing humanitarian aid to the island nation and researching his book, Cuban Odyessea, available on Amazon as an e-book starting March 31 of this year.

This evening, we discussed his soon to be released book inside the cozy confines of the Catalina 27. "A lot of (Americans) that want to see Cuba buy a boat." he remarked. The book, among other things, serves as a "guide to getting there" detailing his experiences and lessons learned. Because he was in Cuba as a humanitarian (not as an author or press member, who would have had an official "interpreter" present at all times), he had virtually the run of the country, and offers his insight from a uniquely unfettered perspective.

Like most Americans, he sees the "travel ban" on Cuba as unproductive. Though he shares the view that the ban is an affront to our natural liberties as US citizens, he is in no way supportive of Castro's regime or policies. He was able to travel well past the "tourism zones" and see the real condition of the little nations oppressed peoples, who live in poverty as serfs to the all powerful government. Of course, economic sanctions do nothing to improve their plight, and Chuck observed that the embargo has only strengthened Castro's grasp on the people.

Somehow, news of his book and his dim views of Castro got out, and the last time he tried to enter Cuba, he was told he was "persona non grata", a dramatic turnabout from his formerly welcomed status. The immediate prospects for a return to Cuba seem bleak. "It's been a hell of a ride." Even in the pale LED cabin lights, a deep sympathy for the Cuban people is easily visible in his expression. "What we really need to do to help them is to stay out of their business, to not interfere", he comments, but there is a distinct lack of hope in his voice - a knowing glance tells me that he knows as well as I that that will not likely happen that way.

Anyone who wants the inside scoop on Cuba would be well advised to read this book. The information is current, salient, and unfettered by officialdom. Mariners considering travel to Cuba will be especially interested in the details of his preparations and the voyages themselves.

A unuiqe book on a relevant subject, you don't want to miss this one!