Reviews

Originally published in Small Craft Advisor.

Audio Book Review: Trekka Round the World by John Guzzwell.

In the classic film, Knife in the Water, there's a scene in which a small sloop slips into the shadows amongst the tall reeds, and the three-person crew hastily drops anchor as a rainstorm flashes overhead. One of the first things they do after getting below – after changing out of wet clothes, and just before pouring brandy – is to turn on a little transistor radio. There's something magical about being "out there" yet having a lifeline to the world – even if it's just to remind you how good you've got it. Nothing warms the cabin of a small boat like the sound of AM radio.

When I cruise I usually don't listen to news or talk shows. I mostly tune for old-time radio shows – adventures, dramas and tales well calculated to keep me in suspense. Just after sunset – when the ionosphere is good and charged – I crawl into my bunk and power up my little radio. If it's the weekend, I can sometimes find shows like The Shadow, Lights Out, or The Whistler. If it's a weekday or reception is spotty, I'll turn to my CD player and prerecorded books or shows. Listening to the BBC dramatization of Riddle of the Sands from a fog-shrouded anchorage is an extrasensory experience.

Naturally I was pleased to see that our friends over at Good Old Boat have started producing a serious of "Audio Sea Stories," available on CD or as downloads. One of their latest offerings is the classic small-boat epic Trekka Round the World by John Guzzwell. This remarkable story of circumnavigation aboard a 20-foot yawl is engaging enough on its own, but too hear it read unabridged by Guzzwell himself, accent included, was a special treat – just the sort of thing I'd bring aboard to warm the cabin.

 To see this and their other audio offerings, check out AudioSeaStories.com.

 -Joshua Colvin, Small Craft Advisor

Originally published in the March 2008 issue of WindCheck.

Copyright©2008 Good Old Boat
Updated: June 4, 2008