Simon Curwen's childhood heroes were Francis Chichester and Robin Knox-Johnston. He was just eight years old when Robin Knox-Johnston returned from his single-handed circumnavigation. His passion for the sea and travel never left him, and he raced dinghies for a long time on the south coast of England. He then distinguished himself by winning the Fastnet and finishing second in the Mini Transat 2001, behind the young Yannick Bestaven, future winner of the Vendée Globe, and ahead of some of the future great names in ocean racing.
A passion that stands the test of time
At 62 years old, Simon Curwen decided it was time to fulfill his dream of sailing around the world, racing and using the same means of navigation described in the sea stories of his childhood. To do so, he acquired Clara, a Biscay 36 designed by Alan Hill and built in 1976, a few hundred meters from his British home.
An excellent knowledge of the boat
Simon Curwen is no slouch! When he launches a project, he does it thoroughly and does not neglect any phase of the preparation. To begin with, he sails his new boat and it is only at the end of the 2,000 mile qualification period that he undertakes a thorough refit of the boat at the Nath Yachting yard in Hennebont.
A deep refit
Eight months of construction were necessary to convert this cruising boat into a unit capable of facing the southern seas:
- The anchor locker disappears in favor of a crash box
- Varangues and chainplates are strongly reinforced
- The mast is replaced as well as the whole rigging
- This sloop is regenerated in cutter by the addition of a second prop
- The wheel is replaced by a tiller
- A Windvane wind speed control is installed
- The cockpit lockers are sealed
- The descent receives a solid capote
Closing the loop, but on the run
Our man is friendly and smiling. For a long time, this subject of her most gracious Majesty has set foot in Brittany. In addition to his "serious" activities, he runs a small river boat rental business on the Blavet with his wife Clare. It is with the same calm voice as if he were talking about mowing his lawn, that he evokes his first challenge which is to complete the loop.
But make no mistake, Simon is no less a competitor than he is an accomplished sailor. His podium in the Mini Transat speaks for itself, and his boat is ready in every detail. He could be the talk of the town in three capes and a few months at sea!
