Many years ago (2002) David bravely agreed to join a sailing trip in the westerns Scottish Isles, knowing only his invitee, Mark Daniel – and his adventures at sea began.

The motley bunch of 9 have sailed every year since then, with David on 15 of the amazing memory-full trips – from West Scottish Isles to Newfoundland, Vancouver, Maine, The Orkneys, Southern Ireland, The Azores, Iceland, Sardinia, Brittany, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Lake Champlain in the USA.

David was a huge part of, as they refer to themselves, The Phat Buoys always proudly emblazoned with their unsubtle crew jackets and coats! Spending 8 days in the confined and intimate space of a 40- or 50-foot yacht means you really get to know each other. Foibles were accepted, understanding deepened, humour the mainstay.

He navigated and helmed, was chief negotiator in difficult sailing predicaments and got stuck into galley and deck duties, almost always with a large chardonnay in a plastic cup in hand.

He was the first to grab a fender and get towed through the wake of the boat… Phat Buoy surfing was coined and inspired the group’s name from then on.  

David, gently but assertively (you know his style) would often take over the music controls and each trip’s history became an Ashfield dominated play list – Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve sailing peaceful past the dramatic Skellig Islands off the coast of Ireland. The Whole of the Moon by The Waterboys often, The Great Big Sea in Newfoundland and Van Morrison everywhere.

And many sailing trips inspired subsequent family holiday adventures sharing the incredible locations and experiences.

We enjoyed David and all that he brought to The Phat Buoys, intelligence without arrogance; fun without being reckless; thoughtful without being obsessive… so many good traits without the opposing one.

The crew are distraught at losing their sailing brother and will keep him with them through the endless list of laughs and memories of their adventures together.

Skipper Mark, Scriv, Chris, Warboy, Big Wag, Marco, Boris and Simon loved him and miss him dearly… Sail on David…