Savills |

20 | WATERFRONT

Could you give us an insight into your own

views on coastal life - what you like about

spending time near the sea?

Anyone lucky enough to live by the coast is very

privileged. Being by the sea adds a whole new

dimension to your life, and for me, sailing adds

to the adventure.

Yes, I believe you've had some extraordinary sailing experiences over the

years. Could you tell us about the Atlantic crossing which I gather was an

interesting one!

Yes that was quite a trip. My wife and I sailed from Falmouth down the coast of

Spain and Portugal and off into the Atlantic in a 34 foot Victoria yacht called Just

So. Three days into the crossing our batteries failed so we had no electric power.

We had no wind for days and days and then a tropical storm hit us causing us to

nearly capsize. The ensuing wind and waves gradually built over the next 36 hours

until the sea became very confused, culminating in a huge wave that towered over

the boat before breaking onto us and pushing us down into the sea. Just So was

terrific and forced her way back to the surface like a submarine surfacing from the

deep. That gigantic wave had malicious intent. Miraculously, nothing was broken

or washed away. The small pocket sized sail we had up, smaller even than a storm

sail, we took down and hove to; a position that lets the boat sail herself with the

tiller tied fully over. We took shelter below and let Just So look after us. The storm

raged on for days until eventually we were able to set sail again. We had expected

to be at sea for 23 days but it was not until day 35 of our voyage that we spotted

land - St Lucia. We were very, very relieved to make harbour that night.

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