David Roper

Dave Roper has been a regular columnist for Points East for many years. Next to sailing, telling and writing stories is his favorite pastime. His books include Watching for Mermaids (a three-time Boston Globe best seller), Beyond Mermaids, and Rounding the Bend. All can be purchased through amazon.com or via his website: www.roperbooks.com His entertaining special event readings have been delivered at over 30 clubs throughout New England.

Dave has been a yacht delivery skipper, captain of a 135’ Mississippi River stern wheel cruise ship, and life-long cruiser along the coast of Maine aboard his 31’ Independence sloop, Elsa Marie. Dave is the founder of A-Script, a career advisory and resume writing firm in Marblehead, MA. Davidroper00@gmail.com


The wilful little Breeze

December 2024 By David Roper We were just leaving Marblehead Harbor, headed for Salem, when Elsa’s old Yanmar began to surge before quitting altogether. “Maybe we could get a tow?” my wife ventured hopefully. I rolled my eyes. “Elsa doesn’t do tows,” I said, haughtily.
Read More

Isn’t paradise just a state of mind?

Fall 2024 By David Roper What is paradise, really? Years ago, back in my boat delivery days, a couple of romantic dreamers hired me to help them on the first leg of their dream: sailing around the world. They were an anxious pair, long on
Read More

How things have changed

September 2024 By David Roper These two pictures were taken about 20 years apart. It’s a yacht club cruise (same club each time) having set a “starburst” in the Basin off the New Meadows River, in Maine. It takes some doing, but in the end
Read More

An uncomplicated world

Far from lacking conveniences, a small boat provides much more in terms of simplicity.
Read More

Finding comfort in your floating castle

After all, it’s your little world, it’s your creation, it’s a reflection of who you are.
Read More