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The Boat
To maintain the spirit of the original 1968 event, the Golden Globe Race enforces strict "retro" class requirements. Competing yachts must be seaworthy, production-built monohulls of fiber-reinforced plastic construction, designed prior to 1988 with a minimum series of 20 boats built from the same mold. To ensure parity and durability, the rules specify a length overall (LOA) between 32ft and 36ft and a minimum design displacement of 6,200kg. Critically, every boat must feature a traditional full-length keel with a rudder attached to its trailing edge—a design chosen for its stability and strength in the unpredictable waters of the Southern Ocean.
PRIVATEER is a Cape George 36, designed at the Cape George Boatworks in the Pacific Northwest. Although the design is from the late 1970s (and is based off a wooden design from the earlier 20th century), PRIVATEER was laid down in 1990.
The Cape George is perfectly suited to the Golden Globe. With a long waterline length and a heavy displacement, she has an excellent potential for speed and comfort. Her seakeeping in heavy weather is legendary and will be appreciated after several months in the deep South. Although typically considered to be slightly undercanvassed compared to other eligible designs, the majority of the race will be spent in high wind areas which minimises the impact of this disadvantage.
In August 2024, I completed a challenging 21-day solo transatlantic passage to bring Privateer back to the UK. The journey began with thick fog and heavy seas before turning into a relentless test against a series of North Atlantic storms. The crossing culminated in a 14-hour struggle against Storm Ernesto, where I fought to keep the boat off the coast in extreme conditions. Despite the fatigue and the intensity of the weather, Privateer proved to be incredibly seaworthy and capable throughout her first major outing.
The REFIT
To prepare Privateer for the rigors of a non-stop circumnavigation, she is currently undergoing a comprehensive refit to transition from a well-maintained cruiser to a race-ready vessel. My focus is on absolute self-sufficiency and reliability; I am personally re-installing every electrical and plumbing system so that I have the first-hand knowledge required to fix any issue at sea.
Beyond the standard race requirements—such as installing watertight bulkheads and a high-visibility orange deck—I am also modifying the interior to better accommodate my 6ft 8" height and raising the cockpit protection for the heavy seas ahead.
Every critical component, including the mast, rigging, and boom, is being replaced with overbuilt, reinforced hardware designed to withstand the Southern Ocean. It is a massive undertaking, but in a race where only 10% of sailors typically reach the finish line, this meticulous preparation is what will turn a 30,000-mile dream into a reality.
