Blu
Green-on-Blue Atlantic 42 Catamaran
Homeport: Vernon , Texas , USA
To Whom It May Concern:
I have sailed alone with John Cluistra from False Bay, South Africa to Brazil, then to the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal, and across the South Pacific to Australia, and know him to be a consummate seaman who abilities as a delivery skipper are unequalled by anyone I am familiar with.
In the course of these voyages we encountered uncomfortable and troubling sailing conditions and several serious equipment failures (loss of steering, electrical system and autopilot problems), and John handled all of these bothersome events with a calm competence that is his hallmark. Also, on another boat John and I and a third person experienced sinking to deck level (it was a catamaran or would have otherwise sunk completely), requiring rescue by the South African Navy, and John remained calm and focused throughout.
John is very knowledgeable in all facets of sailing, and can install and repair almost any piece of equipment. His practically limitless practical knowledge about boats and their equipment comes largely from his experience in building, I believe, seven large cruising boats, and his own extensive cruising and racing history. He has been an important figure in the South African sailing community for years, including holding the positions of yacht club commodore and other offices, and chairmanship of the racing and safety at sea committees of the South African national sailing organization on whose board he was regularly elected. John also has the innate feel for the sea and wind and direction that all really good sailors must possess. He is likewise a conservative sailor who limits risk-taking as much as possible.
Besides possessing all the technical skills, John’s character is beyond reproach. He is not a smoker, hardly ever takes a drink (and certainly never while underway), has never used drugs, and his word is as good as gold. He is also a great guy to have aboard as he has a good sense of humor and is very polite and considerate towards others.
John’s only failing is that he is not much of a cook.
All in all, I know of no one whom I could recommend as highly for any position as I do John. Certainly he has to be one of the top skippers anywhere.
Please feel free to contact me directly if you wish me to verify any of the above.
Sincerely,
Kelly Wright
kwright@chipshot.net
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