Trekka Round the World

by John Guzzwell

A new edition of John Guzzwell's, Trekka Round the World. This international classic is the story of John's circumnavigation on his 20-foot yawl Trekka. During his voyage John leaves Trekka to crew for the Smeatons aboard Tzu Hang, and off Cape Horn they survive a pitchpole. In a new epilogue Guzzwell recounts his experiences and sailing adventures since the book first appeared in the 1960s; included are previously unpublished photos and a foreword by America's renowned bluewater sailor-author Hal Roth.

John Guzzwell updates his classic in this entirely new edition with previously unpublished anecdotes and photographs. Included are John's recent accomplishments in his Endangered Species, in which he competed in the 1998 Singlehanded TransPac Race.

Genres: Travel, Nautical, Nonfiction

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 1979

Reviews

[Costantino · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Steve Van Slyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Florence Dombey · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Board

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.

[Livio Muench · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure adventure…Inspiration for any sailor!!!

[Unit of Raine · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Miles Sandgathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book! Inspirational, informative and a downright great adventure around the world.

[Matthew Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

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...