One of the great maritime stories of all time, is updated in this entirely new edition. Contains previously unpublished anecdotes and photos of a remarkable sailing trip around the world. Included are John’s accomplishments in his Endangered Species in the 1998 Singlehanded TransPac Race.
John Guzwell brings the reader all around the world with his unique sailing stories. 5 stars because of all the times he opens himself to the reader completely and shares his most private thoughts on episodes happening in a very natural way
I read an earlier version than this one, although I now own an autographed copy of this one. What a great and yet so humble a sailor is John Guzzwell. This is an amazing story of a young man building his own boat and then sailing it around the world. It was one of the books that impelled me forward on my own voyages. Once I had read about his experience of diving into Mariner's Cave in Tonga I had to do it myself. This is a timeless book for all wanna-be, has-been and armchair sailors.
At 77, my sailing days are behind me, and I have not enjoyed a book more than this one as I sailed around the world with Guzzwell who passed away last September (2024) at the age of 94. If you want a realistic read of what it means to sail the seven seas in all their glory, fair weather or foul, this is a book that, once begun, you will not want to put down.
Quick tour around the world with Trekka. After seeing Trekka in the Victoria and reading as many of the Beryl and Miles Smeeton adventures, I was interested in John's perspective. It maintains a similar no-nonsense recitation of adventures. It was interesting to read the follow-on sections about John's later voyages in different boats. And, as he is/was a Seattle-ite, I have this feeling that I missed the opportunity to meet him by maybe a decade. And that makes me sad.
Love reading about blue water cruising, even though I don't have the skills, the boat or probably the courage to do it myself.
Loved this book. One of those authors you feel you would have got on with in real life - funny and humble. I can't help but feel he is understating what it is like to be in a 20' boat in a mid-ocean gale however...