When Ian McLaren-Morris named his 12 meter yacht `` Silver Slipper , '' he never could have known it would bring him a real life fairytale romance . The divorced father-of-two had long dreamed of sailing around the globe with his very own Cinderella ; a soul-mate who shared his love of the ocean and sense of adventure . But finding a special woman willing to quit her job and say goodbye to her family and friends for a romantic voyage into the sunset was n't quite as straightforward as the 52-year-old had hoped . Like a growing number of single people across the world , McLaren-Morris searched for love on internet dating websites . Two years later and the sailor was still no closer to finding his seafaring sweetheart . It was n't until McLaren-Morris signed up to a website catering specifically for boating enthusiasts , LoveSail.com , that he found the woman of his dreams -- 45-year-old former superyacht hostess Wendy Robson-Burrell . The pair met at the Chichester Yacht Club in south-east England , embarking on a whirlwind romance that found them engaged just six months later . They now plan on marrying in April , sailing around the world for their honeymoon before joining the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers ( ARC ) , the world 's largest transatlantic yachting event later in the year . `` I loved sailing , I had my own boat , and I wanted to do it with someone who got the same excitement and pleasure out of it , '' McLaren-Morris , a former sales and marketing director at National Geographic , said . `` And to do that , you ca n't have a partner that 's too high maintenance . You ca n't be with someone who needs to have a hairdryer , their nails done , a shower everyday . `` Wendy is so naturally beautiful she does n't need all that . She just loves having the wind in her hair . And being near the water is one of the most important things in her life . '' Launched in 2004 , LoveSail now has around 5,500 users ranging from professional skippers to hobby sailors . As the name suggests , most are looking for love but there are also offers of friendship , sailing trips and work opportunities . For those mariners constantly on the move , trying to find a partner willing to wait on land or give up everything to jump on board is one of the pitfalls of a seemingly idyllic lifestyle . `` People who sail tend to be extremely passionate about it -- it 's a big investment , '' LoveSail director Erica Joyce said . `` But it can be difficult for sailors because they 're not based in one place , so when they do find someone they often have to leave them . '' It 's a scenario former delivery captain Tor Pinney knows well . As a handsome young sailor traveling the globe in the 1970s , Pinney had little problem meeting women willing to show him around their home town or even set sail for a brief adventure on the high seas . But rather than leading to a long-lasting relationship , it was more often a case of ships that pass in the night as Pinney 's nomadic lifestyle made it difficult to rest his anchor in one port for very long . Now 64-years-old , Pinney 's love of the water has n't waned . And neither has his search for a partner willing to share an unconventional life on the waves . `` When I was 20 there was no shortage of girls who wanted to share this experience and cruise the islands , '' said Pinney , speaking from his 12 meter yacht in St John 's River , Florida . `` But as people get older they seem to lose that adventurous spirit -- and that 's changed my prospects . '' Pinney also signed up to LoveSail.com in the hope of finding that special lady . He 's still yet to find her , admitting : `` It 's difficult to hook up with a LoveSail girl for a cup of coffee when I 'm still sailing all over the world . '' Online dating is big business in the UK , with more than 9 million people logging on in search of love last year , according to Metaflake , a company that reviews internet dating sites . It 's the highest number in Europe , with Britain now claiming 1,500 of the continent 's 5,000 dating websites . And it 's continuing to grow , with the industry turning over £170 million ( $ 270 million ) in the UK -- a 6 % rise on the previous year . `` It 's not just people who sail , everyone has busy lives now and you do n't have the opportunity to meet new people , '' McLaren-Morris said . `` Five years ago , if someone had told me they were doing online dating my reaction would have been 'you silly idiot . ' But as more people do it , the stigma disappears . '' For Pinney , the joy of yachting is still far too great to give up on the off-chance it will help him find love . `` It 's a lifestyle I chose when I was 16-years-old and obviously it presents its challenges , '' he said . `` But it 's beautiful out here . I can watch osprey and fish from my deck and manta rays dive under my boat . '' Whether he 'll one day share that beautiful view with a special lady remains to be seen . But then , there 's always plenty more fish in the sea .
For sailors traveling the globe , finding a longterm partner can be difficult . Young mariners may find it easier to meet adventurous companions . Online dating site LoveSail.com caters to sailing enthusiasts looking for love . Increasing number of Britons turning to internet dating , highest in Europe .