John Goode FRIN

We have received the sad news that John Goode died on 15 May, aged 71, following a short illness.

John was the editor of Sailing Today between 2001 and 2007, with his step-by-step articles becoming widely known for their practical, real-world advice. He designed the “John Goode’s Cockpit Plotter”, which thousands of people still use.

The sailing school that John bought, Southern Sailing, quickly became one of the best-regarded and busiest sailing schools in the country thanks to John’s approach and input. One of the many instructors assessed by John was Dame Ellen MacArthur, who visited Southern Sailing for her RYA Yachtmaster Instructor ticket before she set off on her round Britain voyage in 1995.

During his role as editor of Sailing Today, John asked Sir Patrick Sinclair to examine Crown Estate claims on the seabed, which were causing mooring holders in estuaries around the coast untenable fee hikes. The resulting articles were the source of pride for John and, according to Sailing Today, were typical of John’s interest in protecting the underdog.
John was awarded Fellowship of the RIN in the latter half of his career, at a time when he became a sought-after instructor for merchant mariners and did a lot of behind the scenes work for the maritime industry, such as his extensive input behind some of the most popular displays at the London and Southampton boat shows. He carried on instructing throughout and, most recently, even taught sailing in Ukraine.

There have been many tributes pouring in for John from the maritime world, including from our own President-elect, Cynthia Robinson OBE FRIN:

“John’s enthusiasm for sharing his sailing and navigation expertise was second to none. Southern Sailing quickly developed a reputation as the ‘go to’ school when it burst on to the Solent scene with a ‘real’ merchant seaman at the helm. John always seemed to be thinking of ways he could make positive changes to the teaching of sailing and navigation.
“Down to earth yet amiable and approachable, John presented an unusual mixture of charisma and clarity of thought. He could always be found at boat shows, often still wearing his motor bike jacket following a long ride to the venue.

“He never failed to stop to chat and invariably we fell into deep conversation about the many ways we saw to encourage sailors to gain the skills and expertise required to face challenges at sea.

“The Royal Institute of Navigation was delighted to award John its prestigious Fellowship for his exceptional and inspirational work. John will be sorely missed by his many friends and the large number sailors and navigators he inspired throughout his career.”