YOU know when disabled Chris Molesworth is sailing solo because his empty wheelchair is parked on the jetty.
But while the 49-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, enjoys the open water his thoughts turn to his late wife, Kat, who bought him the boat.
"She left me some money and I bought Dreamcatcher – my sailing boat," said Chris, who lives on Lower Eley Street in Derby.
"She died four years ago and sometimes, when I'm on the water, I think she's around and watching me. It's all thanks to Kat and her family in America."
Chris, who cannot walk and has limited speech, married Kat Vineyard ten years ago. He met his Memphis belle on the internet in 2000 and the pair fell in love. They tied the knot four years later.
"Her death was sudden," said Chris, who uses an electric wheelchair and needs round-the-clock care.
"I had been out sailing and when I got back home, she was dead. She was in the chair and it was a very big shock. I was told she had a blood clot in her lung. It was very upsetting at the time.
"When we were together, she knew how much I loved to go sailing but I could never afford to buy my own boat.
"She told me one day I'd get one and then she died and left me some money."
Chris spent £8,000 on Dreamcatcher – a small sailing boat, which he keeps at Swarkestone Sailing Club.
Last month, all the specialist adaptations were finally finished and now he is sailing solo.
"When I was sailing with a crew in a double-handed boat I felt fairly free," said Chris. "But now, sailing solo gives me the chance to be totally independent.
"Getting away from my wheelchair for a couple of hours means everything to me.
"Once my personal assistant has helped me into the boat and set my battery-powered control system up, it is down to me to control Dreamcatcher.
"Where we go and how fast we go is up to me. And yes, I still make mistakes."
It has taken four years to get Chris's boat adapted to suit his needs.
His friend and fellow sailor, Mark Alton, has been instrumental in the work. The 55-year-old, from Sawley, designed and built a unique foot-steering device so Chris can manage the controls himself.
Mark said: "It has taken a very long time. Most of the bits and pieces we bought were from eBay.
"I'm a sailor myself so I know about boats but trying to adapt a boat for a person with huge mobility restrictions is very tricky.
"Chris's level of disability did cause me a few problems and we also had to stick to a pretty tight budget. But we've done it and that is really all that matters."
Mark used to work for Chris as one of his personal assistants. Now he meets him at Swarkestone Sailing Club and helps him sail.
Every week he volunteers his time to Chris, preparing the boat for use. Mark said: "He's just a regular bloke. It seemed like the right thing to do. When he bought the boat, he wanted to get it adapted for him.
"I liked the whole idea. We have modified it and now it's good. I've done a lot of head-scratching over the last couple of years."
Chris is indebted to Mark and cannot thank him enough for what he has done for him.
Living with a disability is tough and he gets down, but sailing puts a smile on his face.
Chris said: "If Mark had not helped me, I would still be sailing with him. He would be helping me to control the boat and we would have to go out together.
"But now I can go on my own and I can race against other sailors – whatever their ability.
"Mark made me my own foot-steering system and winch. He is a very talented man. He was one of my personal assistants – that's how we met."
Chris called his boat Dreamcatcher because Kat loved making them and putting them up round the house. He still misses her very much. Now he is reliant on a huge amount of support from his carers.
"I'm all right," he said, despite shedding a few tears during the interview.
"When I sail, I can relax and think about things. I feel at one with nature. Kat helped me to do this and now I look forward to Wednesdays, when I can go sailing.
"Racing gives you the thrill of battling against the elements. It can be frustrating when there is no wind but it can also be scary when the wind is strong and catches me unaware.
"Sailing has set new goals for me and given my enthusiasm for the sport."
Leah Webb, 21, is Chris's carer today.
She has helped to translate for Chris, who can struggle to make himself understood.
"I am one of Chris's personal assistants," she said. "But it isn't like work. It's like hanging out with a friend. He does so well and he's brilliant at sailing.
"I go with him sometimes on a Wednesday and you can see him smiling.
"He loves it and I know he would like to go more.
"Losing Kat was devastating but there was a silver lining – and that's the Dreamcatcher.
"I know he misses her very much but the boat means everything to him now."
CHRIS'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DREAM
Chris would love to compete in the Hansa Class TT Series – a collection of sailing races which take place across the UK next year.
But his biggest wish is to enter the World Championships in 2016.
“The one thing stopping me now is the money,” said Chris. “I really need to find some sponsorship so I can get to these events.”
Chris’s disability means he needs to employ carers to accompany him on the trips. He also needs to transport his boat and pay for suitable overnight accommodation which can cater for disabled people.
“I am now trying to get sponsorship,” he said. “But most companies will only sponsor groups or organisations, rather than individual people.
“This is difficult when you are in a sport like sailing, trying to represent your country.
“Part of my dream has come true because I’m sailing. But now I would really like to start competing.”
Chris has already entered the European Assess Championships, which are being held at Rutland Water in July 2016. Before then, he hopes to have secured a sponsorship deal. He needs about £2,000 to take part in the Hansa Class TT Series, which is made up of ten races.
“I would be really happy to put the company logo on Dreamcatcher,” he said. “I could put it on the trailer as well.”
For more information about Chris and his sailing, visit www.sailingendeavour.weebly. com.
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