I have had some interest in boating since the age of 3½ when I learnt to row a small boat made for me by my father. Eventually I built an 11ft Heron yacht, taught myself to sail and also used the boat as a fishing boat. In time I built a two-man 18ft Quest B2 catamaran, and became interested in bigger cats. In 1984 I became involved in the Australian “Little Americas Cup” team as the hull-designer and hull mould-builder for our four hi-tech wing-sailed catamarans (Victoria 150 and the Edge series) raced from 1985 to 1996. In 2001 I bought an Adams Traditional 36ft yacht and learnt to sail slowly. I eventually sold it after having heart surgery but not before enjoying some coastal sailing between Sydney and Westernport and between Brisbane and Westernport. On those occasions I became well acquainted with lap-top navigation charts and autopilot steering systems. I now stick to the roads in a campervan and enjoy “armchair sailing” such as Americas Cup, Sydney-Hobart, etc. and now the journey of the very awe-inspiring Jessica Watson. My best mate is an Australian larrikin ratbag Kelpie who keeps me and everyone he meets amused. And yes, I guess I am a self-confessed “Jessaholic”.