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<\/p>\nDon Casey, who passed away in January, was more than just a sailor \u2014 he was a guiding light for countless enthusiasts in the DIY sailing community. For over four decades, Don inspired sailors to embrace self-reliance, teaching them how to maintain, repair and outfit their boats without relying on expensive professionals. His books, articles and philosophy on cruising left an indelible mark on the sailing world, encouraging generations to set sail with confidence and simplicity.<\/p>\n
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Born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Don grew up far from the ocean. It wasn\u2019t until a trip to California at the age of 16 that he first saw the sea. That experience planted a seed, but it was a 1970 three-part series in National Geographic<\/em> that truly changed his life. The magazine featured Robin Lee Graham, a young sailor who had just completed a five-year solo circumnavigation. Inspired by Graham\u2019s journey, Don packed up his car after taking his final college exam and headed to Miami with dreams of buying a boat and sailing into the blue. He was 23 years old.<\/p>\n After landing a job at the Federal Reserve Bank in Miami, Don saved enough to buy his first boat, a Bristol 27 sloop he christened \u201cTutor\u201d \u2014 a nod to all the boat would teach him about life on the water. It was on this boat that he learned the ropes of sailing, spending weekends and all his allotted time off exploring the waters of Biscayne Bay and the Bahamas. Though he excelled in his career, eventually rising to the position of chief operations officer, Don\u2019s heart was always on the water.<\/p>\n Don\u2019s writing career began almost by accident. After a six-month sabbatical cruising the Bahamas with his wife, Olga, he received a sailing magazine in the mail featuring a photo of himself at the helm of his boat, \u201cRichard Cory.\u201d Intrigued, he wrote to the editor, sparking a conversation that led to his first article. From there, he began writing regularly for sailing magazines, sharing his practical advice and philosophical musings on cruising.<\/p>\n His first book, Sensible Cruising: The Thoreau Approach<\/em>, was a groundbreaking work that combined practical advice with a philosophical approach to sailing. Don argued that the boat should facilitate the cruising lifestyle, not hinder it. The book\u2019s message \u2014 simplify, go smaller and don\u2019t wait for the perfect boat \u2014 resonated deeply with readers and remains relevant today.<\/p>\n Don\u2019s most famous work, This Old Boat<\/em>, was born out of frustration. While refitting \u201cRichard Cory,\u201d he found himself sifting through stacks of sailing magazines for DIY advice. Realizing there had to be a better way, he set out to create a comprehensive guide for boat owners.<\/p>\n Published in 1991, This Old Boat<\/em> became a bible for DIY sailors, offering clear, step-by-step instructions on everything from electrical systems to hull repairs. The book\u2019s success cemented his reputation as a leading voice in the sailing community. It has helped tens of thousands of sailors refurbish their boats and \u2014 over 30 years later \u2014 is still in print.<\/p>\n Olga shared with us that of his 10 published books, these two remained his favorites. \u201cSensible Cruising<\/em> was loved by Don and many others. But This Old Boat<\/em> was a well-researched book that generated a lot of personal feedback, and that made Don very happy as well. Don had a talent for breaking down any subject, explaining it clearly and logically.\u201d<\/p>\n Where did he get his DIY spirit? \u201cDon always had a DIY mindset,\u201d said Olga. \u201cHe no doubt learned from watching his mother doing curtains, clothing for the two boys, upholstery, etc.\u201d Whether he was upholstering car seats, restoring houses or crafting a windshield for his BMW motorcycle, he approached every project with curiosity and determination.<\/p>\n Those early lessons from his mother were not forgotten. Don thanked her in the dedication of This Old Boat<\/em>:<\/p>\n This book is dedicated to Judy Casey, who first showed me how to do much with little. Thanks, Mom.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This ethos of self-reliance extended to his sailing philosophy. He believed that sailors should be capable of maintaining and repairing their boats, not just to save money but to foster a deeper connection with their vessels and the sea.<\/p>\n Don and Olga spent over four decades cruising on \u201cRichard Cory,\u201d a 30-foot Seawind ketch named after a poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson. The boat became their home as they explored the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean and beyond. Their adventures were marked by simplicity and self-sufficiency, from spearfishing for dinner in the Bahamas to weathering Hurricane Ivan in Grenada.<\/p>\n \u201cAt that time,\u201d Olga remembered of their experience hunkering down to wait out the hurricane, \u201cwe had a Global Star Satellite phone on board. No one else had a satellite phone\u201d The Caseys lent their sat phone to dozens of other cruisers stuck on Grenada, allowing people to contact their loved ones and confirm they were safe. \u201cI only mention this because Global Star came through as a great corporate citizen when we received our bill. I recall Don writing a letter nationally in praise of their action.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was unprecedented to have a hurricane that strong at such a low latitude back then,\u201d Olga stated. \u201cThis beautiful island was destroyed and lives lost. The cruising community there and elsewhere got involved as soon as possible to help.\u201d Grenada was home to \u201cRichard Cory\u201d for 11 seasons.<\/p>\n Don Casey\u2019s connection to Sailrite was a natural extension of his DIY philosophy. Casey owned an Ultrafeed\u00ae LS Sewing Machine, a tool that became indispensable for his many projects aboard \u201cRichard Cory.\u201d The Ultrafeed LS, known for its durability and versatility, allowed Casey to tackle everything from sail repairs to custom canvaswork, further embodying his philosophy of self-reliance.<\/p>\n Don\u2019s first book, Sensible Cruising: The Thoreau Approach<\/em>, was introduced at that year\u2019s Annapolis Sailboat Show. It\u2019s at the Annapolis shows where he first met Sailrite founders Jim and Connie Grant. Over the years, he developed a strong rapport with the Sailrite team, including Matt Grant, who represents the next generation of the family business. Casey\u2019s relationship with Sailrite was more than just transactional; it was a partnership built on a shared commitment to empowering sailors to take control of their own boat maintenance and repairs.<\/p>\n Don\u2019s impact on the sailing community cannot be overstated. His books have sold over 100,000 copies, and his articles have appeared in nearly every major sailing publication. But more than the numbers, it was the way he connected with readers. He had a gift for breaking down complex topics into clear, accessible advice, always infused with his trademark humor and wisdom.<\/p>\n Olga Casey, Don\u2019s wife of 48 years, recalls his passion for sailing and his unwavering commitment to living life on his own terms. \u201cDon was a lovely, kind, respectful man who lived life to the fullest,\u201d she said. \u201cOur adventures were special, whether on board \u201cRichard Cory,\u201d hiking the Camino de Santiago or watching the old timers play petanque in Luxembourg Gardens on our yearly anniversary trips to Paris.\u201d<\/p>\n Casey\u2019s philosophy on cruising \u2014 simplify, simplify, simplify \u2014 remains a guiding principle for sailors around the world. He believed that a sailboat was the closest thing to a magic carpet, capable of taking you anywhere your imagination and courage could reach. \u201cDon\u2019t sacrifice the magic to the mundane,\u201d he often said. \u201cThey sell varnish in Tahiti.\u201d<\/p>\n Don Casey\u2019s passing leaves a void in the sailing community, but his legacy lives on in the countless sailors he inspired. His books continue to guide new generations of boat owners, and his philosophy of self-reliance and simplicity remains as relevant as ever. As Olga reflected on their life together, she remembered Don\u2019s smile of happiness \u2014 a smile that came from a life filled with adventure, love and the endless horizon of the sea.<\/p>\n Don may have left this world, but his spirit sails on, carried by the winds of the countless lives he touched. For those who knew him, and for those who only knew him through his words, Don will always be a beacon of inspiration, reminding us to set sail, embrace the journey, and live life with simplicity and joy.<\/p>\n Eight bells ring for a life well-lived and for a legacy that will live on in the hearts and minds of cruisers for generations to come.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_6906-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Birth of a Writer<\/h2>\n
A Life of Self-Reliance & Adventure<\/h2>\n
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Don Casey & Sailrite: A Partnership in DIY Spirit<\/h2>\n
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A Legacy of Inspiration<\/h2>\n
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A Final Farewell<\/h2>\n
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