Met Jim whilst walking the docks looking for a ride from Tenerife.
Jim says, ‘no problems, mate!’. There was no room on Bounder, the professional crew included Radar and David Duff from NZ.
True to his word, Jim found me a berth on a 6-month-old Oyster 55, Moondragon.
Hey Jim, you remember the Ghost Party Mid-Atlantic? Thanks for hosting.
Going luxury all the way to St Lucia, Caribbean, thanks to Jim. Running into Jim in St Lucia, he promises a spot on the rail for the Antigua Race Week in 6 months’ time, if I can make it! Again true to his word, Jim found me a spot.
Do you remember rescuing me from the dance floor at the Mount Gay Rum party?
I woke up in your dinghy tender with a nasty shiner.
Thanks (again) Jim!
I remember doing night watch delivering Bounder back to England in October 1991.
Top speed was 16 knots—awesome sailing with Duff, Radar, and Sasha. What a great boat from Chris Little! And there’s nothing like that After Party…
January 1st, 2023, I get a call out of the blue from Jim, and anyone who knows Jim knows you have to answer that call.
Jim talks fast and asks whether I want to deliver Showdown, a Kerr 40, back to Sydney; Jim and Drew had come 2nd place in the 2-handed Sydney to Hobart race.
Jim says, “we leave tomorrow, yes or no?”. I managed a new top speed record for me on that delivery—22 knots sliding down a wave on the first night out, on the tiller.
Thanks, Jim, for all the wild opportunities, even wilder after-parties, and always being a man of your word.
Warren Smith
Warren is a passionate sailor, adventurer and lives life to the fullest and a great friend.
1991 ARC Rally Canary Islands & Antigua race week…
