Simon is your skipper, a 36 year old qualified Yachtmaster with over 18 years and 80,000 sea miles sailing experience. He has competed in hundreds of races both in the UK and Caribbean and is passionate about sailing.   He skippered Talisman (more about the boat later) in 2001 in a race across the Atlantic and in 2003 completed the 4,000 mile journey back home to the UK from Antigua.  He has competed in 4 Fastnets, successfully skippered Talisman in the Round Britain and Ireland race in 2006,  and completed many cross channel and North Sea races.  He also enjoys dinghy racing when not on the big boat and also speaks near fluent French. In addition, he is a qualified RYA cruising instructor.

Laura is your additional crew member (where required) but also looks after all our marketing and web presence. She has been sailing for over seven years and in 2003 completed her first Transatlantic! She has extensive cruising experience, competed  in Antigua race week 2003, and a number of JOG and RORC races and is qualified Competent Crew (never having quite got around to doing more qualifications this does not adequately reflect her abilities!)).  She is a glutton for punishment and can often be found grinding the winches!

She is a member of our permanent crew and despite now having a full time 'proper' job, will still be a very active part of Blue Ocean Sailing this year. 

Talisman is a 8 year old Prima 38 built and registered in the UK. For those of you who are not familiar with Prima's she is a very comfortable, racer/cruiser. She has four cabins and can accommodate up to 10 people (depending on individual requirements). She has a fully equipped galley, an onboard shower and w.c., central heating and hot and cold running water. She is exceptionally comfortable as a cruiser and a versatile racer. She is very easy to handle and her sail wardrobe includes 4 brand new Jibs (80-100%), 3 Spinnakers (1 Asymmetric), 2 Slab Reefing Mains (1 racing, 1 cruising) and of course the obligatory Storm Sails.

Your safety is our primary concern at all times and as such she is fully equipped with 10 man life raft, EPIRB (emergency positioning beacon), advanced man overboard devices, lifelines, lifejackets and heavy weather gear.

Some internal shots of Talisman (click on a picture for an enlarged view)