Offshore Sailing and Cruising with Paul Trammell

I just arrived in Maine after my longest solo passage yet, 1200nm, 9 days, St Augustine, Florida to Snow Island, Maine. Here, I talk about the passage, preparation for the passage, some things I learned along the way, the good times and the hard times, and where I'm going next.

Alex is a sailor and boat-builder who lives near the 100 Wild Islands Wilderness of Nova Scotia, Canada. We talk about sailing in Nova Scotia, fishing, the climate, the cruising season, surfing, wildlife, bugs, fog, dealing with the cold, the Bras d'Or Lake, and more.

In this second part of our conversation, we talk about offshore sailboat design, keels, rudders, reefing, staysails, safety, celestial navigation, books, writing, and much more.

John Kretschmer is the author of 7 sailing nonfiction books and is the host of serious offshore training passages and bluewater sailing workshops. We talk about sailing in the Caribbean, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, bugs, bears, the Golden globe Race, his boat Quetzal - a Kaufman 47, and much more.

Kiana is an incredibly brave and competent young woman who sails solo aboard a 1971 Wharram Catamaran. We talk about developing the dream to sail away, learning to sail, finding her boat, sailing across the Caribbean Sea, sailing across the Atlantic, avoiding hurricanes, microplastics, bravery, the benefits of a Wharram, and much more.

Peter is preparing for another attempt to sail around the world singlehanded and nonstop on his Rival 41, Waxwing. We talk about Portugal, orcas, communications, reefing, whisker poles, downwind sail configurations, heavy weather, wildlife, books, AIS, radar, solar power, dinghies, anchors, safety, and much more.

Our conversation continues with varied discussions about sailing and exploring and conducting research in the arctic, biking solo through SE Asia, Greenlandic culture, becoming one with the ocean, whales, parachute sea anchoring, narwhals, the northwest passage, glacier melt, uncharted fjords, and more.

Matt is the only person ever to have circumnavigated the Americas nonstop and singlehanded. He now runs a sailing research vessel in the arctic. We talk about sailing as an escape from street life, falling in love with nature, arctic research and exploration, setting up a boat for long journeys, reefing, Blondie Hassler, his Bruce Roberts 650 research vessel, and much more. Explicit language warning.

Robin Davie is a veteran of three solo circumnavigations in the BOC races. He has been preparing for the GGR for six years. We talk about getting his boat ready, past circumnavigations, storm tactics, safety, getting through difficult times, wildlife encounters, whales, bottom paint, propellers, and much more.

Planning for my passage from The Bahamas to St Augustine Florida, including stowing the dinghy on deck, preparing the boat for passage, my go-bag, weather, navigation, and sleep.