I had the pleasure of meeting John Guzzwell back in the late 90's at a single handed sailing society dinner in San Francisco Bay. I brought a model I made of "Dolly" which he was kind enough to autograph. I was starstruck when I met him and then Godsmack when he invited me aboard Endangered Species! He is a true artist and a gentle man.
I met John in Whangarei NZ, Aug 1970 where he and Dick McIlvride were preparing "Tyrant" to sail to Hawaii with crew. I was sailing my "Austral Vertue" from Melbourne to Kiribati and I 'met' a few "Trekka's" in NZ so I was thrilled to meet John in person having read and enjoyed his book so much. John autographed my copy and also wrote the recipe for his "Trekka Special" in the back that kept him going in good health? John was told that I played the ukelele and had me play his very good instrument in my very basic manner, [I am a clari and sax man] I was quite embarrassed when he played with much finesse - he had been having lessons with a Hawaiian expert! My wife and I visited Canada in 2005 and by sheer good luck met the real "Trekka" in Victoria at a gathering of classic boats. I have been building a 'cousin' to Trekka and Sopranino but not launched yet. Mike McKeon
John Guzwell's book was really an inspiration when I first read it.. back in the late 1970's and living aboard a Columbia 22 that I modified for ocean sailing.. I just finished a Pacific crossing by rowing and flying kites in KROS, and still think that John's book was the early forerunner to the idea that I had to cross an ocean in a very small, but seaworthy boat. Really good to see this. Rory
Sailing in 1966-67 Sydney Hobart and South Pacific I heard of trekka and Guzwell living in Hawaii now and still on the ocean with outriggers to paddle. Good to find this site. The pacific was a different place to sail in those days. Aloha Sammie milbert stanbro
The remarkable John Guzzwell. Your story is wonderful and your book 'Trekka Round the World' is one of the very best. It's pretty certain 'Tzu Hang' would not have survived in the Southern Ocean without the teamwork of the three remarkable sailors on board. Miles and Beryl Smeeton and John Guzzwell. A true survival story.
I've read a lot of books, and Trekka Round the World is one of the best I've ever read! My used copy from Amazon was autographed and I'm proud to have it.
I started sailing in the early 70s and read every nautical book I could lay my hands on but the Trekka story was particularly inspirational and remains my favourite to this day.
What an amazing adventure! If you haven't read John Guzzwell's book "Trekka Round the World" you are missing a very good read. The story is very well written and easy to read. If you sail, cruise, dream of sailing or if you're a boat builder, you will appreciate this story.
He did say he fiberglass'd over the hull? we are told this can cause rot and ruin a wooden boat? but Trekka appears to be in good shape from what i have seen in other videos of her on YT, anyone have any info on this? far to many wooden boats end up in the tip..
