Knox-Johnston on Seamanship & Seafaring

Lessons & experiences from the 50 years since the start of his record breaking voyage

On 14th June 1968 Robin Knox-Johnston set sail from Falmouth to take part in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race – the first, non-stop, single-handed sailing race around the world. He was an unknown 29-year old Merchant Navy Officer. Ten and a half months later he sailed back into Falmouth, the only finisher in the race and the first man to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation. Since then he has had an illustrious sailing career, with 3 further circumnavigations, including the fastest circumnavigation and last racing solo round the world in 2007, aged 68. Few people have sailed as many miles as Robin. Now, 50 years since setting out in the Golden Globe Race, you can benefit from Robin’s wealth of experience as he shares his thoughts on seamanship and seafaring in this new book, selected from his most provoking, insightful and perceptive writing from the pages of Yachting World magazine. The first half of the book concentrates on seamanship and looks at the skills and gear required. The second half allows Robin to reminisce on memorable boats, races and places he has experienced in his last 50 years of seafaring. The book starts with an original piece by Robin reflecting on the last 50 years. In his Foreword, round-the-world yachtsman, Alex Thomson says of the first half, on seamanship: ”Anyone who ventures to sea would be wise to take advantage of the seamanship lessons that Robin has learnt.” Of the second half, on seafaring, he describes the pieces as “a joy to read” and says that they “remind us that sailing is primarily a fun activity, to be enjoyed.”