The Moth The Moth Podcast: Learning to Sail
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Aug 15, 2025 Jamie Trowbridge, a magazine publisher from Peterborough, New Hampshire, shares heartfelt stories about learning to sail with his father. He reflects on their exhilarating adventures on the water, revealing both the adventure and challenges they faced together. Trowbridge also opens up about navigating grief, describing how a sailing trip to honor his father's memory brought his family closer. Through nostalgia and connection, he highlights the profound lessons learned on and off the water.
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First Sail Goes Terribly Wrong
- At 12, Jamie's father bought a 36-foot sailboat and their first trip nearly sank when the motor died and they had to be towed back.
- That inauspicious start set the tone for tense but formative family voyages that bonded Jamie to his father.
Learning By Doing On The Perigee
- Jamie returned repeatedly to sail with his father despite near-misses and constant small disasters like losing things overboard and dragging anchor.
- He learned practical sailing skills and earned pride by mastering sail changes under pressure.
Sailing In Fog With No Electronics
- Jamie and his father sailed in fog using only charts and a compass, repeatedly running aground despite growing skill.
- These risky voyages highlighted both his father's boldness and the unpredictable nature of their adventures.