Ian Reid (61) UK
This farmer from Somerset has bought the 1979 ketch-rigged Belliure Endurance 35 Maja. She has been one of three GGR yachts being refitted at the Falmouth Boat Co and due to be relaunched any day soon.
Ian reports: "The refit has been extensive. These production boats are fine for cruising in coastal waters, but were not designed to take on the likes of the Southern Ocean. Working with a surveyor, our primary focus has been to substantially strengthen the forward sections of the hull, the deck and the superstructure. Interestingly, the advice from the riggers is: Keep the original mast tubes, but replace all the standing and running rigging. The sails are designed by Doyle NZ, and put together by Sailtech in Falmouth. Emphasis has been to create a powerful reaching boat, and the current thinking is not to go for a spinnaker.
Personal safety is paramount, and we are currently working on systems to ensure I at least stay on the boat â injury and falling overboard are a huge concern, and we are looking at every angle to try and reduce the risk.
Maja is well on her way to becoming 'race ready' but what about me â possibly the weakest link in the chain? I have learnt the dark arts of celestial navigation, and completed the long range radiotelephone certificate â two big hurdles! Next up is the qualification passage, and for this I have opted to embark on a voyage starting at Falmouth, rounding Madeira and the Azores, and back to Falmouth. This trip is important to me for a variety of reasons: Firstly to learn how to get the best out of Maja, and secondly to confirm that I am cut out for long distance solo sailing, not by any means a 'given'. Thirdly, routines as to how best manage myself and the boat have to be developed to cover all aspects of life on-board. Lastly I hope to be able to identify alterations that will be required to fine tune Maja for the race."
Visit: www.reidosea.co.uk