Interview with John Champion

Published 2014-06-25.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
As a live aboard boat owner and marine surveyor I spend a great deal more time fixing and maintaining my boat than I do writing. Writing is good for rainy days and helps me document the challenges and benefits of boat life. Hopefully saving readers from making the same mistakes as I made!
Have you ever run aground in a boat?
Sure have. We had just crossed the Pacific from San Diego in our current boat and landed in Bundaberg, Australia without a grounding incident and immediately got stuck in the river on a falling tide. A local bloke came by and said "don't worry about it, anyone who says they never run aground is lying to ya or on their first boat ride."
What is your writing process?
The process begins when I have to do something for real. The experience seems to soak in and when it has been rattling around in my head for a while I just write it out, a fairly painless process usually means a good story; if it is slow or hard to write then I am not ready to do it.
What kind of boats do you spend the most time on?
Cruising boats of all descriptions as I work as a marine surveyor in Langkawi Malaysia. www.championmarinesurveyors.com are production boat specialists; nearly all of the boats I work with have crossed oceans to get here.
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Books by This Author

How to Select, Equip and Maintain a Cruising Boat. The Series.
Price: $8.99 USD. Words: 64,310. Language: English. Published: December 29, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Sailing, Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Boating & sailing
This book is a compilation of the authors other e books on cruising boats. The material is the same but makes it all available in one volume at a much lower price. Thirty seven different chapters beginning with comparing boats and the various aspects of different designs and builds. The buying process, equipping for a voyage and numerous practical articles; Easy reading with a humorous approach.
Understanding Your Boats Systems and Choices.
Series: Cruising Boats, How to Select, Equip and Maintain. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 12,800. Language: Australian English. Published: December 27, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Sailing, Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Boating & sailing
Understanding Your Boats Systems and Choices deals in a light hearted, practical way with the choices and options that come with a boat. Windlass selection and installation, water making, water catchment, boats electrical systems, both AC and DC, 12-24v and 110-220v and living with either. Boat comfort in hot climates, shade, fans ventilation and air conditioners are included. Fun and informative.
Comedies Under Sail or Real Races by Real Amateurs
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 7,930. Language: English. Published: May 28, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Sailing, Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Boating & sailing
These yacht races actually happened as unlikely as it may seem. There is nothing educational, serious or worthwhile in these tales but you may get a laugh from them. The first 50% is free so don't blame me if you don't like it!
Refits, More Ways to Make Your Boat Better.
Series: Cruising Boats, How to Select, Equip and Maintain. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 12,010. Language: English. Published: September 26, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Sailing, Nonfiction » Transportation » Ocean transport
Six chapters including marine refrigeration, hard stand haul out, refitting in Thailand, engine vibration problems, accessing components on board and mistakes made by builders we have to live with. Non technical and easily understood with a few laughs to make this a fun and informative read.
Important Upgrades for Your Cruising Boat
Series: Cruising Boats, How to Select, Equip and Maintain. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 10,380. Language: English. Published: September 16, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Sailing, Nonfiction » Transportation » Ships & Shipbuilding / Repair & Maintenance
Canvas, sails, marine sanitation systems, redundant systems and fuel systems. Five easy to read chapters explaining the benefits and pitfals of these topics. Choose the best benefit for your money.
Marine Electrics Made Simple or How to Keep the Batteries Charged
Series: Cruising Boats, How to Select, Equip and Maintain. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 10,300. Language: English. Published: September 16, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Sailing, Nonfiction » Engineering, trades, & technology » Electrical
Marine electrics explained in plain language. How to keep the batteries charged. Discusses solar panels, wind generators, main engine charging systems, generators, battery types and much more.
Two Clowns Cross the Pacific in a Small Boat
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 9,760. Language: English. Published: September 12, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Sailing, Nonfiction » Transportation » Navigation
Tells of a sailing journey from San Diego to Australia in a 40 foot sailing boat. Covers Mexico, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tonga and Fiji. Also has a chapter on various events "that were too much fun," for the crew. Includes useful detail on various formalities required in the respective ports of call.
Comparing Production Boats in Order to Get What You Need
Series: Cruising Boats, How to Select, Equip and Maintain. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 10,000. Language: English. Published: September 12, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Sailing, Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Boating & sailing
Details in a fun manner the difference between various production sailing boats and suggests numerous differences and points to help select a better vessel. Examines materials, hardware, engines, sails and much more.
How to Select and Buy a Cruising Boat at Home or Offshore.
Series: Cruising Boats, How to Select, Equip and Maintain. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 11,310. Language: Australian English. Published: September 9, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Transportation » Ocean transport, Nonfiction » Transportation » Navigation
Outlines the selection and purchase of cruising sailing boats with particular detail on purchasing from the USA. Includes checklists for boat inspections, discussion on vessel types, tax, formalities and importation methods. A light hearted but factual read as amusing as it is informative.
The Secret Australian Animals Club
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 8,000. Language: English. Published: September 3, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » General
The Secret Australian Animals Club tells of a group of animals living together in a major Australian city park. They include a wombat, peacock, frilled neck lizard and many others. Their names reflect each animals character, Sleepy Head, Fancy Pants and Know It All are the ones mentioned above.