I have been sailing all my life. Starting in Friesland, on the northern lakes of Holland, but soon sailing on the sea in different training programs of the Sail Training Association. At 16 I sailed with the 3 mast schooner ‘Malcom Miller’ round Britain, and found myself addicted to offshore sailing. Several Fastnet- and Giraglia races were part of my life whilst working in Paris and London. Then the first year of our marriage (with no kids) my wife and I bought a 36 ft X-Yacht, which we sailed extensively in Northern Europe. We made trips, of sometimes 7 weeks, to the UK, Norway and Denmark. The North Sea is a serious learning ground for tidal and weather sailing, making the whole crew, including our 3 sons true seamen. After 7 years with our first boat we bought a X 412, which we took to Norway on her maiden voyage. It was just my wife and I and our 3 young children. We have chartered on and off for many years enjoying the company.