This review appeared in Flying Fish, the Ocean Crusing Club’s publication.
When I sat down to review Jimmy and Ivan Cornell’s latest scholarly work, I didn’t expect it to change our cruising plans, but as I delved into this vast treasure trove of survey data and meticulously written passage descriptions I realised that previously discounted routing options were, once again, viable. The 4th edition of Cornell’s World Voyage Planner brings this epic work right up to date and it was the chapter on contemporary boat movements that first alerted me to the fact that cruisers were, once again, passing through the Red Sea – a revelation that we will investigate further as we plan our return to Europe and a personal indication of this book’s power to influence.
It is structured logically, beginning with the fundamental principles of planning: boat choice, energy management (with a timely new focus on electric propulsion) and the psychological readiness of the crew. It then moves through detailed analysis of the major oceans, offering not just traditional routes but a variety of ‘circuits’ and detours that cater to both the classic trade-wind cruiser and the more adventurous high-latitude explorer. It also provides the tactical details of over 1,000 specific routes and focuses on the ‘why’, ‘when’ and ‘how’ of a multi-leg journey. All in all, it encourages sailors to move beyond simple point-to-point thinking and instead to view a global voyage as a cohesive, multi-year endeavour.
A highlight of this edition is the inclusion of a wide-ranging survey of 65 experienced long-distance sailors which also addresses the shifting patterns of global yacht movement. While the allure of the South Pacific remains unabated, there has been a marked increase in high-latitude destinations.
The most significant and necessary addition to this 4th edition, however, is the focus on climate change. As Jimmy Cornell notes, ‘global weather conditions have seen major changes, especially in the location, frequency, strength and extra-seasonal occurrence of tropical cyclones’. This is no longer a theoretical concern for the future; it is a reality that is actively reshaping when and where we can safely sail. The authors have been meticulous in amending all relevant dates for safe and critical seasons in every ocean, based on the latest satellite data, and highlight several alarming trends that every OCC member should heed:
Warming Oceans: The rapid rise in sea temperatures is fuelling more intense and less predictable storm seasons.
Melting Ice Caps: The accelerated melting in Greenland and Antarctica is both opening new routes, such as the Northwest Passage and increasing the risks of ice-related hazards.
Shifting Currents: Notable changes, such as the slowing of the Gulf Stream, are beginning to impact traditional routing strategies.
The Cornells’ advice is pragmatic and cautionary: sailors are now urged to be extremely prudent in their approach to traditional ‘safe’ seasons as our climate becomes ever more unpredictable. Arriving too early or staying too late in hurricane-prone areas is a risk that the modern voyager must take seriously.
Beyond the technical data, the World Voyage Planner is infused with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only decades at sea can provide. The Foreword recounts a harrowing pre-GPS experience in the ‘Dangerous Archipelago’ of the Tuamotus, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of dead reckoning and the thin margin between safety and disaster. It also tackles the modern realities of:
Self-Sufficiency: The importance of being your own mechanic and doctor in remote areas.
Security: A balanced look at piracy and personal safety, noting that while certain ‘hot spots’ must be avoided, most of the world remains safe and welcoming for the prudent sailor.
Communication: Evaluating the latest offshore communication tools and how they impact safety and routing.
This new edition of Cornell’s World Voyage Planner is a comprehensive update to what has long been considered the ‘gold standard’ for offshore passage planning and will, like its predecessors, become essential reading for future navigators. It is more than just a reference book, it is a vital piece of safety equipment. In an era when the climate is changing so fast, Jimmy and Ivan Cornell provide the clarity and expertise needed to navigate these changes. Whether you are planning your first Atlantic circuit or a multiyear circumnavigation, this 4th edition is an absolute necessity for your ship’s library.
Its message is best summarised by a quote from Pete Goss included in the text: ‘Boats are always ready but never prepared, there comes a time when you just need to take a deep breath and enjoy the freedom of letting the lines go’.
With the World Voyage Planner in hand, you can let those lines go with the confidence that you have done your homework.
Click here for more information and how to order Cornell’s World Voyage Planner
