Chris McRae

I started sailing as a teenager in Enterprises on Earlswood Lake in Birmingham. I have since been fortunate to sail in parts of the world as crew / navigator / tactician / skipper on various yachts.

Currently I have a Devon Yawl, which is raced in the Classic Day Boat fleet at Bosham Sailing Club. I have RYA Yachtmaster / Advanced Powerboat Instructor tickets – along with their commercial
endorsements. With Colin’s help I hope to use my leg as co-skipper on one of the Pacific legs (San Diego to Honolulu) to complete my Yachtmaster Ocean by using astro-navigation.

I recently ‘retired’ from the ‘day job’ – as a Chartered Engineer to concentrate on ‘anything to do with boats’. Part of this has been helping to refurbish a Rother Class lifeboat – and to operate it commercially from Portsmouth

The name of the lifeboat is ‘Hampshire Rose’ – which was originally funded by the people of Portsmouth. The funding committee for the lifeboat was chaired by Sir Alec Rose and this gave the connection into The Raymarine Lively Lady Project. We even had the honour of leading out Lively Lady on the start of her circumnavigation – complete with naval band!!

I have been impressed with the drive and enthusiasm for this project – especially from Alan and Carol, but also of the commitment of the young adults and parents towards making it happen.

I have equally been impressed with the positive changes to the young adults who have already taken part. They have more confidence and have learned so much more about themselves.

It is a privilege to be a small part of this project and I look forward to putting back some of the pleasure I have had from sailing over the years.

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