# Racundra — Racundra’s First Cruise character guide > Racundra in Racundra’s First Cruise by Arthur Ransome. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Racundra, the admirable Racundra, the generous Racundra **First appearance:** 0003-racundra-s-first-cruise ## Snapshot A stout little cruising yacht built from years of longing, she carries her crew through the Eastern Baltic as both vessel and dream made seaworthy. ## Who they are Racundra is the narrator's hand-built cruising boat, designed so one man could manage her and three could live aboard comfortably, with writing-table, bookcase, and broad bunks. She embodies the desire for freedom over anchorage, a boat meant to keep the sea when others scuttle for shelter. Her behavior under sail, her stubbornness in gales, and her snug rig shape every leg of the voyage, making her the true protagonist of the cruise. ## Relationships ### [Captain Whalley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/characters/captain_whalley) _social_ Captain Whalley admires the Racundra as a fine vessel, showing respect for her design and the Narrator's choice. ### [Commander Boyce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/characters/commander_boyce) _professional_ Commander Boyce inspects or comments on the Racundra as part of his official duties, showing professional interest. ### [Endla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/characters/endla) _social_ Endla and Racundra are fellow boats that share anchorage or passing moments, with no deep interaction. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/dedication) The vessel to which the book is dedicated, symbolizing the shared experience and friendship. ### [Map](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/map) The vessel whose journey is charted on the map. ### [Racundra’s First Cruise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/racundra-s-first-cruise) The yacht, central to the narrative, symbolizing the vessel for the cruise. ### [The Building of Racundra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/the-building-of-racundra) The boat itself, the subject of the chapter, evolving from a dream to a reality, and finally proving her seaworthiness. ### [The Crew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/the-crew) The ship, referred to as 'our ship' by the Ancient Mariner, central to the voyage. ### [The Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/the-start) The yacht, described as looking like a Baltic smuggler, is being prepared for departure, with work ongoing to finish her fittings. ### [Riga to Runö](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/riga-to-run) The ship, which the narrator handles alone during the night, and which performs well in the challenging conditions. ### [Runö to Paternoster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/run-to-paternoster) The vessel, sailing from Runö towards the Estonian coast, with navigation challenges. ### [Through the Moon Sound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/through-the-moon-sound) The ship, on her maiden voyage, navigates the Moon Sound with careful piloting. ### [Worms to Pakerort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/worms-to-pakerort) Racundra proves her seaworthiness, standing up to the wind magnificently, though the centreboard causes alarming noises. She later refuses to enter Baltic Port and flies out to open sea. ### [Pakerort to Reval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/pakerort-to-reval) The boat, described as enjoying the wild night in her own fashion, taking care of her skipper, and proving her admirable nose in heavy seas. ### [Port of Reval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/port-of-reval) The ship is examined by her designer, receives repairs and new fittings, and is visited by many guests. ### [Reval to Helsingfors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/reval-to-helsingfors) The ship, described as heavy but generous, carries the crew across the Gulf of Finland. ### [Helsingfors: Swinging the Ship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/helsingfors-swinging-the-ship) The ship is anchored at Helsingfors and undergoes compass swinging. ### [Helsingfors to Reval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/helsingfors-to-reval) The ship performs well in the heavy swell, steering easily without the mizzen, and demonstrates her stiffness and seaworthiness. ### [Reval to Baltic Port](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/reval-to-baltic-port) The ship, which easily beats previous vessels on the passage, covering the score of sea-miles in under twenty-four hours. ### [The Roogö Islands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/the-roog-islands) Mentioned as not calling at Roogö during the current journey, but the chapter is a flashback to a previous trip. ### [Baltic Port to Spithamn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/baltic-port-to-spithamn) The Racundra is the central vessel, navigating through light winds and finding shelter at Spithamn, where it anchors alongside other ships. ### [Spithamn to Ramsholm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/spithamn-to-ramsholm) The ship, navigated through the narrow channel, anchored at Ramsholm, and described as tasting the isolation of Noah's Ark. ### [Ramsholm to Hapsal Through the Nukke Channel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/ramsholm-to-hapsal-through-the-nukke-channel) The ship performs admirably against the wind, beating through the channel despite local skepticism. ### [Hapsal to Heltermaa (Island of Dagö)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/hapsal-to-heltermaa-island-of-dag) The ship, which shows her rolling tendencies and responds well to wind, is central to the chapter's events. ### [Toledo of Leith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/toledo-of-leith) Mentioned as the ship the narrator later sailed in, contrasting with the wrecked Toledo. ### [From the Island of Dagö to the Island of Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/from-the-island-of-dag-to-the-island-of-moon) The yacht, central to the journey, is praised for its speed and handling. ### [Kuivast to Werder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/kuivast-to-werder) The boat is anchored at Werder, enduring rough seas and rolling heavily in the gale. ### [Seal Hunters from Runö](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/seal-hunters-from-run) Mentioned as the narrator's ship, which is anchored nearby; the Juba's forecastle is compared to Racundra's cabin. ### [Werder to Riga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/werder-to-riga) The ship, which carries the crew safely through the storm and is praised for her steady handling. ### [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/appendix) The yacht is described in exhaustive detail, highlighting her design, dimensions, and the comfort of her cabin. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) The boat is the subject of many illustrations, from its construction to its voyages. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/characters/racundra - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/characters