The Center of Buoyancy

In her early 20s, Seattle-born Diana Talley stepped through the open door of a traditional wooden boat shop in Sausalito, California. Immediately, the enchanting narrative of what a boat embodies was revealed, and it blew her mind. Suddenly everything made sense.

For the next 40 plus years - while becoming a sailor, fisherman, mother, shipwright, boat shop owner, partner, and caregiver - she built a life inspired by the maritime culture of genuineness.

Diana is a captivating storyteller and tireless community advocate. She is known for her sense of agency, daring diplomacy, self-honesty and lavish sense of humor.

"Diana is a storyteller and a role model for women in the marine trades. She tells it like she sees it. Reading her book is like when you end up elbow-to-elbow with one of those barstool raconteurs who actually does have a ton of awesome stories. Belly up and enjoy."

Robin Dudley PhD, Writer, Educator, Tall Ships Sailor

"I have known Diana Talley as a treasured friend for forty years. Her book brings alive some shared history of the Wild West when it seemed anything was possible, through gifted story telling from ground zero in the sailing, fishing, and boatbuilding communities. I was deeply moved by her stories, laughing and weeping along the way. Thanks, Diana, for a well-crafted and tender read."

Tim Nolan, Naval Architect, Boat Designer, Engineer, Sailor, Boatbuilder, Surfer, Author, Painter

A rowdy tale of a woman finding solace, meaning, and buoyancy after the devasting loss of her father by suicide, working side by side with world-class tradesmen, building and repairing wooden boats, a profession of specific old-world skill, craft, and vocabulary concentrated in Port Townsend, Washington, a Victorian-era seaport that was once the port of entry for three-masted sailing ships.

Jan Halliday, Author, Writer, Artist

Gut-honest storytelling, deep belly laughs, and some salty boatyard shockers. I learned about America in an era of profound transition. A timely reminder of how far women have come in the maritime trades. But what sticks with me most is Diana's loyalty, grit, and love--for a few good men and all the salty hearts that built our beloved community.

Kaci Cronkhite, Author, Sailor, Circumnavigator

Seattle-born Diana Talley is retired now after 40 plus years embracing most-things maritime: commercial fishing, sailing, off-shore adventuring, boatbuilding, rowing, sailboat racing and also as a decades-long boat-shop owner. She, together with her partner, raised their daughter aboard for approximately 10,000 nautical miles. Moving ashore as a single mother is when her career as a boatbuilder grew in Port Townsend, Washington, which is anecdotally known as the "wooden boat center of the universe." She found love and partnership there and spent 25 years together with Rick. When Rick was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, they closed the shop, sold their boat and spent his last 4 years living well. Now she donates time to friendly boat projects, doing the traditional work that Port Townsend is famous for as well as supporting young women in the maritime trades to honor the vast help she was given when she started. She has six grandchildren and often works with them in her own shop.

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