THE GUARANTEE

Design Ross 10.66
Sail Number  8625
Length overall  10.66m
Length waterline  10.0m
Beam  3.8m
Draft  2.7m
About the boat: The Guarantee, a Ross 10.66, designed by Murray Ross and built by Yachting Developments, is a Wellington based yacht with plenty of two-handed sailing under the keel.

Sailed by SSANZ Race Officer Geoff Herd & Phil Gurnsey, The Guarantee has been out of the water for some enhancements this year.
Home base Wellington
Facebook The Guarantee

GEOFF HERD

Name Geoff Herd
Relationship to Co – Skipper I drink and sail with him.
Have you done an RNI before? 2017 RNI on The Guarantee
Yacht Club Life member of Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, and SSANZ.
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Have sailed in Wellington and Cook Strait for 30 plus years on numerous keelboats. Competed in  most of the Coastal races  in NZ. Also done deliveries across the North and South Pacific. I’ve been the Wellington stopover coordinator for SSANZ and the RNI since 2005 and have also coordinated a number of international race stopovers in Wellington.
What appeals most about doing the RNI A challenging race and wanting to do better than last time.
What will your meals be like during the race? Go Native boil in the bag meals.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? It is fast and fun to sail.
What’s your favourite drink and why? Rum. It just is. Otherwise known as Cook Strait tea.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Beanbag. So much easier to sleep on.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? Motorboat II. Because they are great sailors and great mates. Also Josh is a big guy.
Tell us about your biggest supporters Deb and Sarah. They will be following us around the North Island to help us in stopover ports. Deb will also be the SSANZ photographer for the race.

PHIL GURNSEY

Name Phil Gurnsey
Age 51
Relationship to Co – Skipper Ive watched him sleep
Have you done an RNI before? RNI2017 on the The Guarantee
Yacht Club Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background I started sailing in P Class at Stewart’s Gully on the Waimakariri River, sailing at school and progressed to 470s, doing nationals. I first sailed on keel boats in Christchurch on Party Time with my mate Pagie! I have owned a Phoenix, a 470, a Zephyr and a Sunburst competing in Nationals. I met my sailing buddy Herdie and sailed with him in Splash Palace including many offshores and regattas. I’m currently a weekend warrior and sail on Whistler III a Young 88, mostly on the bow. I have done a couple of Coastal Classics, Wellington to Nelson races and races to Wellington to Akaroa/Lyttleton. And then RNI 2017 on the Guarantee. I’ve lost a mast, hit the rocks and spewed over the side.
What appeals most about doing the RNI I cant remember the last one.
What are your essential food items during the race? Go Native Butter Chicken.
What will your meals be like during the race? Butter chicken. I had butter chicken for every meal last RNI and am keen to see if I can do it again.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Any point of sailing that doesn’t involve being parked off Raglan like the last RNI.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? It’s well set up. It all works because Herdie puts so much effort into safety.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? Engine replacement, safety checks, gear checks, mast overhaul, new sails, man over board drill, running the sea anchor, practicing gybes, sailing the Coastal Classic.
What’s your favourite drink and why? Rum, just because it is.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Baby wipes because it keep me smelling like a baby.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Parking up.
Tell us about your biggest supporters My wife Sarah and Geoff’s partner Deb will be following us around the Island.
What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? Dealing with the sleep deprivation, but I’ve had good practice with 6 kids.