Jim Earle learnt to sail in the Army, and became a criminal barrister after the Soviet Union wisely decided to call it a day.

Libby Earle runs an allotment, keeps bees, and learnt to sail because Jim persuaded her that she would not need to get wet, cold or seasick.

They began with charter holidays, crewed with friends, had a share in a Moody 333 and eventually bought Merly, a Bavaria 32 based in Mallorca.