Offshore Sailing and Cruising with Paul Trammell

This is part two of my conversation with marine electrical engineer Owen Murphy. We talk about meeting John Kretschmer, the influence of electrical systems and electronics on sailboat value, wiring diagrams, the risks of modern high-output systems, fuses, what electricity is, amps, electrical fields, panconsciousness, sailing in the South Pacific, sailing into an atoll, a tiger-shark story, grey sharks, a near-death experience while surfing, a strategy to stay in the South Pacific long-term, and more. Owen's website is https://www.meridian-marine-electrical.com/ Support the show through Patreon

Owen Murphy is an ABYC certified marine electrical engineer and technician who offers both onsite and remote electrical system consulting, maintenance and installation. He sails a Pacific Seacraft 34 and is currently in Fiji.  Owen answers questions from Patrons about their electrical systems. These include charging an AGM starter battery with LiFePo4 house batteries, saving weight on race yachts in the elctrical system, how to avoid electrical fires, the safety of Lithium batteries, explain the difference between grounding and bonding, what components need to be upgraded when converting to Lithium batteries, is the knowledge base required to work on sailboat electrical systems outpacing the average DIY sailor, where can one gain knowledge and experience in marine electrical... We also talk about sailing solo vs with crew, sailing in the South Pacific, removing the engine fuses and circuit breakers, batteries, artificial intelligence, incorrect wiring, me jury-rigging my alternator on the way from NC to The Bahamas, and more. Photos and links can be found here Support the show through Patreon Owen's website is here

Deborah Hammett began sailing later in life and is the author of the book "Young Salt at Sixty." She sails a Jenneau Sun Odyssey 36 out of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. We talk about Martha's Vineyard, seeing your hometown from the water, scaling down, what inspired her to become a sailor, The Bahamas, riding out a storm in Georgetown at anchor, anchors, the Dominican Republic, her boat, unexpected difficulties, sailing in the ICW solo, sleeping when solo sailing, favorite anchorages on the east coast of the US, sobriety and sailing, changing an impeller, losing power, her book, writing, and more. Photos and links can be found on the shownotes page Support the show through Patreon

Chris and Shona have been sailing around the world on a Leopard 46 catamaran with their four children. They started in Australia on a monohull and sailed up to the islands in the South Pacific. They then bought a catamaran in Mexico, went through the Panama Canal, up to Nova Scotia, and around the Caribbean, back through the canal, across the Pacific, through SE Asia, and to the Seychelles, where they were when I interviewed them. We talk about sailing with children and homeschooling, how they learned to sail, comapring monohulls and catamarans, sailing upwind, solar power, batteries, safety protocols, keeping the kids interested (by keeping the adventure alive), fears, facing the unknown, liferafts, where the friendliest people are, the most fun place, YouTube, inspiring others to think outside the box, customs & immigration in various countries (Thailand was the easiest - USA the hardest), culture shock in South Florida, swimming with manta rays and whale sharks, dinghies and outboards, dinghy anchors, beautiful moments, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon

Saare Yachts is a German company that builds quality, semi-custom yachts which are made in Estonia in the yard that formerly built Finngulf Yachts.  In the intro, I discuss the new 5X-more expensive Bahamas cruising permits and new fees, as well as the strikes in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Niels and I talk about sailing in the Baltic Sea, sailing angles, history of the boatyard, building the hulls, vacuum infusion, vinyl-ester resin, foam, bulkheads, lead keels, keel bolts, traditional hull design, heeling, single rudders, engine access, electrical systems, alternators, induction stoves, having 2 alternators, German boom sheeting, a unique liferaft storage and launching system, and more. Photos and links are on the shownotes page Support the show through Patreon

Filip Kotodziej is the skipper of SV Selma of SailCamp Expeditions, running high-latitued charters. He recently visited Isla de los Estados - an island off the souther tip of Argentina few people have visited.  We talk about isla de los Estados, anchoring and anchorages, katabatic winds, currents and tides, charts and navigating, the boat Selma - a custom steel ketch, features of the boat that make her capable of high-latitude sailing, sailing in high winds, different sail configurations, dealing with heavy weather, clearing customs in Argentina and going to Isla de los Estados, tsumanis at sea, wildlife, foul-weather gear and staying warm and dry in the high latitudes, boots and gloves, safety prorocols and gear, penguins, South Georgia Island, and a surprise announcement.  Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon

Richard and Jude sold everything and bought a Jenneau Sun Odyssey 410 in 2022. Unable to get the boat delivered to Australia in a timely manner, they decided to take the boat in France and start their sailing lives by cruising the Mediterranean.  We talk about crusing the Mediterranean, the boat, dual helms, anchoring, lights and a collision while at anchor, favorite places, cultures, food, making the transition to the cruising life, running a YouTube channel, running another channel in which they wear no clothes, health and extending lifespan, and more. Photos and links can be found on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon

Matt Woodside is entered in the 2026 Golden Globe Race (GGR). His boat is a Cape George 36 and he lives in Portland, Oregon.  We talk about getting into sailing, the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, the GGR, simplifying the boat, refitting her, replacing the mast, reefing, heavy-weather strategies, heaving-to, towing drogues, using a storm trysail, his unique jury rig, abandoning ship, books, serving as a Flight Officer in a Navy aircraft, fears, food, to fish or not to fish, magic, old navigation tech, not sailing with a cat, modern navigation, unexpected events, bucket-list destinations, feedom, and more. Photos and links can be found here Support teh podcast here

Diana Vega grew up on the Isle of Wight sailing in the Solent. She will be the First Mate with Guy Waites on Team Unicef UK in the 2025-2026 Clipper Round the World Race. We talk about crew dynamics, a transatlantic on an Outremer catamaran, refitting a steel boat, installing a synthetic teak deck, heaving-to in the Bay of Biscay, the Clipper Race, the role of the first mate, training for the Clipper, the boats, Guy Waites, fear, anticipations, the southern ocean, book recommendations, bucket-list destinations, beautiful moments, unexplainable sights, and more. Photos and links can be found at https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-7 Support the show through Patreon

Barry Perrins recently crossed his wake completing a 9-year circumnavigation aboard steel Van de Stadt.  We talk about his boat, the pros and cons of steel boats, his route, New Zealand, crocodiles in Australia, friendly people, Vanuatu, whale sharks, dancing with manta rays, anchors, lessons learned, nature, profound revelations, and more.  Links and photos are on the shownotes page Support the show through Patreon