Hi! I’m James,
I started this website to share the sailing tips and knowledge I’ve picked up over the years, from seamanship and safety essentials, to boat maintenance tips and more.
Of course, I’ll no doubt also come clean about some of the embarrassing mistakes I’ve made along the way.
Hopefully Sailing Wizard will help you to discover and embrace the joy of sailing.
My Sailing Story
I’ve been sailing for as long as I can remember. In fact, I’m even told that my mother crewed for my father on his classic wooden racing yacht, while she was 6 months pregnant with me… if that counts!?
As a child of the 1980s here in the UK, I grew up on the Norfolk Broads (real Arthur Ransome stuff!) sailing my own Mirror dinghy, my Dad’s yacht, and just about any boat I could get a crewing role on.
Yeah, I was that kid at the yacht club!
Since then, I’ve raced in more different types of sailing boat than I can keep track of. From the RS700 single-handed skiff I owned for a year or two after University, to the various beautiful classic racing yachts of the early 1900s.
I really should try and make a list at some point.
Have had some wonderful opportunities to sail all over the world, and even proposed to my wife on a charter yacht in the middle of a beautiful Mediterranean bay.
These days, I still enjoy racing from time to time (mostly crewing on other people’s yachts!), but have discovered a real love for the easier pace of life that cruising has to offer.
My goal before I’m 50 is to make an Atlantic crossing skippering may own sailing yacht.
Whether you’re new to sailing, or like me you’re preparing for your next adventure, I hope you enjoy the website.
Thanks for stopping by!
[Last updated September 2021]