CO-SKIPPER: Tom Jackson

I began sailing at an early age, taught sailing and worked in a boatyard while in college. After service as a US Navy officer, I attended Cambridge University in England, where I began offshore sailing and met my wife Vicky, through racing with her father; we married in 1972. In 1978, we began living afloat, aboard a 31’ Kim Holman design and from 1981, aboard Sunstone, our 1965, varnished, S&S 39’ sloop. We lived afloat continuously until 2013. Sunstone proved competitive racing offshore under all rating rules, even against modern competition. She won her class in four of the eight Fastnet Races we completed with her. Sunstone was twice a member of the English team in the RORC Commodores’ Cup, the team winning in 1996. In 1997 I retired as Principal of Portsmouth College and Vicky retired as Assistant Dean of Faculty at Southampton Solent University. We sailed away to begin 150,000 miles of world cruising. We crossed the Atlantic twice and the Pacific Ocean six times, five of those between New Zealand and Alaska. Our six-year circumnavigation was eastward, past the five great southern capes, but also reaching 61’N and 57’S. We continued to race, competing in the Bermuda Race and winning our division in the Sydney-Hobart Race. We won the 2008 RNI and completed the 2012 RNZ. In 2015 we were awarded the CCA Blue Water Medal. In 2021 we sold Sunstone back to England and now cruise and race in Zest, our Craddock 36. When not cruising, we live in Nelson.

CO-SKIPPER: Vicky Jackson

I was born in Australia to British parents and grew up in England. I also grew up sailing in family boats, completing my first offshore race at 16. Tom and I became engaged during a cruise from Spain to England in my parents’ boat; we married in 1972.

In 1978, we began living afloat, initially aboard a 31’ Kim Holman design and then, from 1981, aboard Sunstone, our 1965, varnished, S&S 39’ sloop. We lived afloat continuously until 2013.

Despite being a ‘house-boat’, Sunstone proved competitive racing offshore under all rating rules, even against much more modern competition. She won the 1985 Channel Race overall and her class in four of the eight Fastnet Races, which we completed with her. Sunstone was twice a member of the English team in the RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club) Commodores’ Cup, the team winning in 1996.

In 1997 Tom took early retirement as Principal of Portsmouth College and I retired as Assistant Dean of Faculty at Southampton Solent University. Two weeks later we sailed away from the UK to begin 150,000 miles of world cruising. We crossed the Atlantic twice and the Pacific Ocean six times, five of those between New Zealand and Alaska. Our six-year circumnavigation was eastward, past the five great southern capes, but also reaching 61’N and 57’S. During our cruising we continued to race, competing in the Bermuda Race and winning our divisions in the Sydney-Hobart Race and Swiftsure (Canada). Since moving to New Zealand in 2007 we won the 2008 Two-Handed Round North Island Race and completed the 2012 Two-Handed Round New Zealand Race. In 2015 we were awarded the CCA (Cruising Club of America) Blue Water Medal.

In 2021 we sold Sunstone back to England and now cruise and race in Zest, our Craddock 36. When not cruising, we live in Nelson.

BOAT BIO: Zest

Zest was designed by Peter Craddock as a 36′ fast cruiser. She is strip-planked cedar, glassed in and out with a full cruising interior. Since we bought her in 2019 we have cruised her round the North Island and down to Stewart Island. We have also adapted her sails and deck gear for short-handed racing.