The Journey South

By Michael Wenzl

When Michael Wenzl was just sixteen, he set off from Oakville Harbour with his dad on a boat called Woodwind. Their trip started out as a big adventure but turned into a year-long journey. They sailed the Great Lakes, went down the Hudson River, braved the Atlantic coast, and made it all the way to the Bahamas. Each day brought something new-fixing old engines, riding out storms, making friends in new places, and learning what it took to keep going.

This trip wasn't just about sailing. On Woodwind, Michael grew up. The work was tough and the challenges were real, but he came away changed-ready for more adventures, and with a spark that led him to the Navy and a life on the water. This memoir shares his story honestly and simply: it's about a boy and his dad, a boat, and how a journey can shape who we become.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1998422437
• ISBN13: 9781998422432
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Elite Lizzard Publishing Company
• Length: 106 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"