Wednesday 28 October 2026 19:30, Zoom
From the Royal Navy to building and sailing a 38-foot Polynesian catamaran, the sea has been the hawser I’ve never quite managed to cast off. My life afloat has involved some questionable decisions, occasional terror and a great deal of fun.
Somewhere along the way, I became an author, writing The Foolish Trilogy about my sailing adventures. Now, with nearly 70 years under my keel, I’m still drawn to the sea, albeit in a rather smaller boat.
Come aboard and hear the story. I suspect you’re a fool for the sea too.
Neil Hawkesford is a sailor, boatbuilder and author with a knack for taking on adventures that sensible people might think twice about. From losing an 18-foot yacht during an attempted Biscay crossing to spending a decade building his own 38-foot Wharram catamaran, his sailing life provides the stories behind The Foolish Trilogy. He now sails Sólmara, a small Chinese junk-rigged yacht, and continues to write about sailing, adventure and the lessons learned along the way.