[2] After studying law at university, he chose not to enter the profession and effectively ran away to sea instead.

He and his wife are keen motorcyclists and have crossed the American continent in both directions, each riding their own machines.

[4] A professional writer since 1986, Cunliffe has won the Best Book of the Sea award twice, for Topsail and Battleaxe and Hand, Reef and Steer.

In 2010 he presented the award-winning six-part BBC documentary series, The Boats that Built Britain.

[1] When not sailing his 44 ft cutter Constance, Cunliffe lives in the New Forest with his wife Ros where he rides a large motorcycle, grows roses, and drives a 1949 Bentley.