Kay and Lane Finley have cruised for many years in the South Pacific and their DVD is addressed to anyone planning or at least thinking of doing it themselves some day. Reach for the Sea fulfils this aim very well by providing a comprehensive overview of what offshore cruising is all about. Every possible aspect is covered, from the choice of boat to furling and reefing systems, from electrical consumption to generation, watermakers to anchoring techniques. Much attention is paid to safety, a subject that is covered in more detail than anything else, which is probably not surprising bearing in mind that sailing in New Zealand can often be quite challenging.

Rather than dealing with every subject themselves, Kay and Lane have woven into the narrative a number of interviews with boatbuilders, naval architects and a range of cruising sailors, both experienced and novices. The comments made by some of the sailors are probably the most interesting features as they best manage to convey the many attractions of living afloat.

In a DVD that lasts just under one and a half hours, some subjects are covered only briefly. This was probably unavoidable, but at least the video manages to adequately describe the attractions as well as some of the drawbacks of cruising life, and gives the viewer an idea of what may lay in store for him or her. As an introduction to offshore cruising Reach for the Sea is a well accomplished exercise that will whet many people's appetite to up sticks and follow in Kay and Lane's wake.