Will Sayer prepares for the OSTAR

29-year-old Will Sayer prepares for the OSTAR © Hyde Sails

29-year-old Will Sayer is set to compete in the famous OSTAR, which starts on May 25, powered by a new set of Hyde Sails. Having refitted the Sigma 33 ‘Elmarleen’, which he bought with his student loan back in 2001, he is busy making his final preparations for the race. Finally, the day-job has had to go…

Juggling work and the campaign

As well as getting his boat, and himself ready for the challenge ahead, Will has been holding down a regular job as a mechanical engineer for leading marine electronics manufacturer, Raymarine. How hard has it been to balance the two? “It is a lot tougher than I ever thought. The preparations are huge and very time consuming. I have every hour of my spare time planned out between now and the start. Everything needs to be checked over, serviced, replaced or modified. I am starting work at seven every morning so I can get away at four, giving me a very important hour to pop around to the rigger’s, chandler’s or make a few phone calls before they all shut. I’m literally spinning!” It was a simple choice: give up work or give up on making the startline. A simple choice for Will, who handed his notice in to work to give himself a month off work before the start - the mark of a man determined to realise his dream.

This boat preparation is vital as Will is well aware: “The further I sail into the Atlantic the more vulnerable I am and the more I will depend on the boat. I know everything I do now will give me more confidence in the boat when I am days away from help and the inevitable gale strikes. You can’t over prepare!”

The inspiration

Who has provided the inspiration for Will’s offshore sailing? “It would have to be Robin Knox Johnston and Pete Goss. RKJ was one of the first to do any of this solo sailing and he did it the hard way. No toys or gadgets, just a very mentally and physically tough guy. Anyone who swims under his boat to fix a leak with sharks about is a hero of mine. Peter Goss has worked hard for his sailing career. Sailing is measured by what is done on the water and not by who has the most crew kit and logos on the boat. There is a quote from Peter’s book, which I can really relate to: ‘I remember once, when I was very young, walking along a pontoon to look at a top racing yacht. I was made to feel uncomfortable and very unwelcome as the crew strutted about like rock stars in designer sunglasses,’ I know exactly what he means!”

Will’s sail-buying tips

What has Will learned from the process of working with Hyde’s and what would he recommend to others? “Get the sailmaker down to the boat and talk to them. Let them hear your needs and wants and let them offer solutions. Paul [Paul Austin, Hyde’s Sales Manager] understood exactly what I wanted and we were both on the same wavelength when it came to discussing the sail for the OSTAR. It doesn’t matter where the sails are made, what matters it that they are the right sails for you and they have been designed for your specific needs. You can have 10 mainsails all the same size and for the same boat but they will all do different things depending on the information you provide and the specification the sailmaker puts together.”

What about the future?

“One step at a time, grins Will, stating frankly: “This financially will finish me off. My priority on my return will be to find a job and secondly to consider the next step. Who knows what this could bring!”

For more information, see www.hydesails.com or contact Paul Austin (T: +44 (0) 7801 907458).