In 1986, I was asked by Martin Pryor, then director of Sail Australia, to join forces with him on a project to build a fast catamaran and enter the 1988 Short Handed Round Australia Race. John West came on board as our primary sponsor, Lock Crowther came up with a design and together we created the John West.

While she came with a lot of hard work, some heart ache and a few dramas, she also gave us some great adventures and some fine sailing. In the end however, John West did do the race but without Martin or I and although she didn't win, she did complete the full race and put in a damn fine effort for her new crew.

For more info about the John West and the 1988 Short Handed Round Australia Race, go to: http://tiny.cc/JohnWest