A Sea Not Full — John R. Erickson

A modern coming of age adventure tale, A Sea Not Full is the story of Nate Pritchard, a 16 year old boy who, at a precipitous juncture in his life, must make some difficult choices.  The novel is set primarily Ventura, California, where Nate lives with his father.  When his father dies, a cataclysmic event in young Nate's life, he must find a way to live the life his father intended for the two of them.
There is a boat, the sea, and the girl, Nora, whose troubles are masked by her own father's inability to accept the choices he made in the past with Nora's mother.  Making good choices and coming to terms with his relationships with his mother, his grandparents, and Nora are the challenges Nate faces, which bring about a deeper understanding of his purpose in his life.
A Sea Not Full is a thrilling read for young adults or anyone who enjoys an exciting adventure with a twist near the end.