John Guzzwell passed away this August at age 94. His book Trekka Round the World describes the extraordinary single-handed circumnavigation he made aboard Trekka, a wooden yawl measuring only 20’6″ which he built in Victoria. For many years Trekka was the smallest boat to have completed such a voyage.
His story has inspired many sailors, and continues to do so to this day. Just this year, he became a race patron for the McIntyre Mini Globe Race 2025, in which 5.8m home built plywood boats will be following in the footsteps of his solo voyage around the globe. Practical Boat Owner has a good article with interesting details about John’s life and some tributes from other well-known sailors.
Mr. Guzzwell was made an honorary member of BCA in 1979, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the annals of bluewater cruising.
Currents PDFs
I hope to meet you one day, Barb!
Thank you!
Hi Barb – excellent article about a very skilled sailor, a master craftsman and great guy. So glad to hear he made it to 94 years always doing what he loved to do. He raced against us in the 2000 VanIsle 360 in “Endangered Species”, the self-built wooden half-sized Open Ocean 60 and we really loved his & Dorothy’s company in the social they organized after the race. A real gentleman and a sterling example of a great seaman.
Well done with your accolades to a sweet man! Peter & Connie
Thanks Peter and Connie. I was hoping that people who had actually been able to meet John would comment. I had trouble finding out much about his particular connection to BCA.