Hannah Cunliffe - Historical Researcher

To the tiller born, an article describing my childhood at sea was published in December's Yachting Monthly.  Click here to view.

It sounds like a tall story, but I actually was brought up on a boat (several boats to be precise.)  My first few months were spent on Saari, a Colin Archer on which my parents, Tom and Ros Cunliffe, had just come home from South America and the Caribbean.  To hear more about this journey and others my family have made visit http://www.tomcunliffe.com  By age three, they decided a slightly bigger vessel was called for so I moved to a new cabin on Hirta, 50ft Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter.  We spent five years living on board and just when I was learning the tricks of the trade, reluctantly moved to a house so I could attend regular school.  Sailing was still very much in the forefront of my life however, so we spent every holiday on the water travelling widely to include America, the West Indies, the Baltic, Scandinavia and much of Europe.

By the time I left home for university, my parents had begun a new maritime venture and were building a 40ft gaff cutter, Westernman, in Nova Scotia.  Although very much in the traditional vein, this beauty did offer certain luxuries such as a shower, running water and a curfew on deck leaks which we were beginning to crave.  Now based in Beaulieu, Westernman is proving an ideal family boat; fast, comfortable and perfect for summer cruising.

With this background, I was destined either to love the sea or hate it.  Fortunately, I plumped for the former and now enjoy taking time out from my research business to use my sailing skills professionally as cook or crew.  Click here to see details of the kind of experiences I have had working at sea.  Or if you are interested in hiring me to work on your boat click here to contact me directly.