Hello from the UK.

[Reverend Rufus]

After many years without a boat I've decided to purchase a Contessa 32 this year, a boat I have experience of sailing under someone else's ownership. I plan to cross the Atlantic solo within 3 years and hence the Contessa purchase this year in preparation.

I come from a background of sail making and boat building. Starting out as a youth building hand glider and paraglider sails and then moving onto Fibre glass boat building along with some carbon fibre until I reverted back to sail making, except this time for the yachting industry which lasted 8 years until I returned to boat building.

I then suffered a spinal injury which took two years 2 operations and 7 procedures to recover from and once recovered I became the manager of a very popular yacht chandlers, where I am today.

I live on the UK's south coast and have sailed many day boats, many Cowes week events and a limited amount of cross channel passages to Alderney and France. Now in my mid 40's I'd like to accomplish the one dream I've had ever since first making a cross channel passage 25 years ago, to make a solo passage across the big pond.

Hopefully I can be of some help to the forums. Sail making is my strongest asset and passion and where I'm always available for advice. My sail making tutor was the sail maker to Sir Robin Knox Johnson aboard 'Condor' in the 1977 Whitbread round world race, Paul Newell.

So, hello.

[Hudson Force]

I'll extend the welcome now if your passage brings you here to Florida, but regardless of your landfall, welcome to this community.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Reverend.

[boatman61]

Hi Rev.... Welcome to CF...
Which part of the S.Coast.. I was based in Poole for many years working at and sailing outa Lilliput Yacht Station when it still existed.

[Reverend Rufus]

Thank you guys.

I'm Isle of Wight based near to Cowes. I believe Lilliput is still going but couldn't be 100%.

I'm in the process of organising a local cruiser club for like minded single handed sailors which will probably launch in the Autumn. The idea is to also support single handed sailors passing the Wight.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you here.
kind regards,