More people have climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest than have circumnavigated the globe by sail. It is an exclusive club. Deep in the recesses of most sailors minds, they will admit that they have the dream to sail around the world. Most will never do it.
For those that plan and prepare long enough, have a capable vessel, and have trained to have the skills to do so it is an achievable goal. The 11 books listed below are stories of pioneers who have done so. As early as the late 1800’s to not that long ago, there is adventure to be found out there on the high seas for anyone daring enough to try.
The Long Way – Bernard Moitessier
Bernard Moitessier is a sailing legend. He was one of the contestants in the first solo, non-stop around the world sailing race called the Golden Globe Race. For seven months the Frenchman battled rough conditions, broken gear, fear and loneliness. He was in the lead and sure to reach the finish line first.
Moitessier decided near the end of the race that he was done, and sailed to Tahiti. This is the incredible story of his entire journey.
Sailing Alone Around the World – Joshua Slocum
Joshua Slocum was the first person to sail around the world alone. He did it in 1900 way before any modern electronic navigation tools and instruments.
In the late 1800’s Captain Slocum purchased and began refitting the derelict sloop Spray. Beginning in 1895 he set sail from Massachusetts on a five year journey to circumnavigate the globe.
This is his personal memoir of his 46,000 mile journey around the world.
A Voyage for Madmen – Peter Nichols
The 1968 Golden Globe Race was the first non-stop, solo, sailing race. There were nine entries.
In A Voyage for Madmen, Peter Nichols’ documents the story of this race that lasted 10 months and had only one finisher. The others dropped out, went mad or died. Nichols version of this race is very well done and details many of the trials and tribulations of the individual sailors.
Dove – Robin Lee Graham
In 1965 Robin Lee Graham set sail to circumnavigate the globe on his 24 foot sloop. He was 16 years old. After five years and 33,000 miles under the keel Graham returned home married, with a child and a lifetime of adventure.
This is essentially his journal with added commentary. It is a wonderful book.
A World of my Own – Robin Knox-Johnston
As mentioned above, the 1968 Golden Globe Race had nine entries. It was the first non-stop, solo, around the world race and only one man finished. Robin Knox-Johnston was that man.
This is the story of his triumphs and tribulations along the way. From compromised fresh water tanks to a smashed cabin top, this was no easy cruise. It took everything he had to not give up. Knox-Johnston is a legend, this is his legendary tale.
Godforsaken Sea – Derek Lundy
The Vendee Globe is the more modern version of the 1960’s era Golden Globe, essentially a solo, non-stop race on really fast sailboats. Where the original took nine months to complete, now they do it in four, mostly in the dangerous southern ocean.
Godforseken Sea is a book following the field of the 1996-1997 Vendee Globe. One person, one boat, no stops, no assistance, this is what the sailors sign up for when they enter the Vendee Globe.
One Girl One Dream – Laura Dekker
Laura Dekker holds the record as the youngest person ever to circumnavigate, solo. But her government tried to stop her from even setting sail. Laura had to first fight the Dutch government because they were trying to legally stop her from sailing.
Laura does finally win her court battle and leaves on the journey to try to become the world’s youngest solo sailor.
Maiden Voyage – Tania Aeibi
Tania Aebi, at 18 years old, was going nowhere in life when her father presented her with two options. She was offered a college education, or a 26 foot sailboat that if she took, had to sail around the world, alone. She obviously took the latter and with it started the adventure of a lifetime.
This is her exciting tale of lightning storms, being hit by a tanker, falling in love and everything else you experience during a 27,000 mile journey.
Gipsy Moth Circles the World – Francis Chichester
In August of 1966, 65 year old Frances Chichester set out from Plymouth, UK in his 53 foot ketch “Gipsy Moth” alone. At that point in time only a few solo sailors had tried to circumnavigate by way of Cape Horn, the most dangerous cape to round in the world.
His journey only took 226 days. He stopped once in Sydney and established new records for speed and endurance along the way. Chichester was awarded a knighthood upon his return.
Go Anyway – Lyn Foley
Lyn and Jim Foley had a dream to go sailing. They worked long and hard over 18 years to be able to buy the boat, sold everything they owned, and moved aboard. Right before they were about to set sail Jim was Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. They went anyway.
This is their story of more than 35,000 miles at sea, 39 countries, rough storms and beautiful anchorages. Through it all Jim fighting against Parkinson’s.
500 Days: Around the World on a 12 Foot Yacht – Serge Testa
Serge Testa designed and built his tiny 12 foot boat “Acrohc” to set one record, to circumnavigate the smallest boat. Solo sailing a well founded normal size yacht is a feat in an of itself, imagine doing so in a 12 foot boat.
His account of this thrilling journey is both humorous and gripping. He recounts harrowing storms as well as beautiful landfalls and encounters with whales.
Ship Log
If you are interested in following along on our journey, sign up for the Ship Log and every time I publish a new log entry we’ll send you an email, usually once or twice a month.