Offshore Sailing and Cruising with Paul Trammell

Grant Headifen, founder and Global Director of Education at NauticEd, is a trailblazer in modern sailing education. He discusses the rapid increase in wind speed and its implications for sailing. Grant dives into the essential skills often overlooked by new sailors and the establishment of USCG national standards. He highlights the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership aboard a vessel and shares his insights on forming effective crews. The conversation also touches on innovative online courses and sailing as a transformative journey.

Jack Patton sails an electric Passport 42, and was sailing to Hawaii when we spoke. He is also the owner of Poerflow Marine, which makes electric-motor systems for sailboats. We talk about sailing an electric boat, the conversion from diesel, the cost comparison between repowering with diesel vs electric, cooling systems, regeneration, the Ecostar propeller, easy and difficult boats to convert, and more. We also talk about cruising the Sea of Cortez, the Tuamotu Islands and French Polynesia, and Vancouver Island. Podcast shownotes are here https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-7  Support through Patreon here patreon.com/paultrammell

Timo and Jo bought NV, a 66' IMOCA ex-Vendee Globe sailboat and converted her into a family cruiser, without sacrificing performance. The draft is still 4.5m and the mast 100'. NV was originally designed, built & raced by famous Hungarian sailor Nándor Fa. He competed in her in the 1992 Vendée Globe finishing 5th, becoming the first non-frenchman to finish. When I spoke with Timo and Jo, they were in Lombok, Indonesia, preparing to go see the dragons on Komodo Island. We also talk about moving from a Young Sun 35 to the IMOCA racer, modifications to the boat to make it a family cruiser, maintaining the boat's weight, why we love sailing, and lots more.  Support the show with Patreon patreon.com/paultrammell Shownotes are here https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-7

Skip Novak is a lifetime offshore sailor, veteran of four Whitbread Round the World and other races, and owner of Pelagic Expeditions. He recently published the boat "On Sailing." We talk about the book, learning to sail, Kirsten Neuschafer, combining sailing and climbing, design aspects of proper bluewater cruising boats, deck layout on Skip's boats, rigging for heavy weather, heaving-to, drogues and sea anchors, rudders and keels, unnecessary features often found on modern sailboats, older boats, simplicity, communication, managing Starlink, safety, below-deck features of a bluewater boat, catamarans, favorite wildlife, sailing amongst ice, favorite moments, and more. Shownotes are at https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-6 Support the show through Patreon here patreon.com/paultrammell

Keith and Becca bought a Pearson 424 that needed a refit, and when the time came to repower, they found an inexpensive electric motor and made a quick decision to build an electri-motor system. They eventually sailed off from Texas to the Caribbean, worked their way upwind to the Windward Islands, then to the Azores, where they were when I talked to them. They've been sailing and living aboard for six years, and have a wealth of knowledge and experience with their electric-motor system. We get into all the details about their system, but we also talk about the Azores, free and silent motor assist sailing, having unlimited power, refitting their Pearson 424, sailing upwind through the Caribbean, losing the prop shaft coupler, cavitation caused by seaweed on the prop strut, micro-route-planning offshore with Starlink, unexpected issues, their 48-volt system, life at anchor with 2500 watts of solar and a large lithium battery bank, comparing the electric motor to a diesel motor, comparing costs of repowering with a diesel motor vs electric, how to make the decision to go electric or diesel, batteries, and more. Shownotes are at https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-6 Support through Patreon here patreon.com/paultrammell

Tanguy de Lamotte is a French sailor and naval architect, and veteran of many offshore races, including the two Vendeé Globes and several Transats. He is also part of Vita Power, a company that makes electric boats. We talk about electric boats and their environmental advantages, the Vita Power boats, sailing IMOCA boats, foiling, cruising, and more. Shownotes are at https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-6 Support through Patreon here patreon.com/paultrammell

Simon Curwen recently skippered Translated 9, a Swan 65, in the Ocean Globe Race, which was a re-creation of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race. The race consisted of 4 legs, from the UK to Cape Town, South Africa; to Aukland, New Zealand; to Punta del Este, Uruguay; and back to the UK.  Simon started as the navigator aboard Translated 9, and was the skipper for the last two legs. They had a great first two legs, but suffered hull damage in the third.  We talk about the boat, sailing a ketch, different sailplans, the difference between sailing solo and with crew, hank-on sails, foul-weather gear, preventers, adjustable backstays, using a jockey pole, highlights of the four legs, Marie Tabarly getting bit by a seal, a crack in the mast, surfing, running aground, taking on the role of skipper, rounding Cape Horn, a broach and knockdown resulting in a crack in the hull, the Falkland Islands, and Simon's new boat - an X 412. Shownotes are at https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-6 Support the podcast with Patreon at patreon.com/paultrammell

Carl Damm, a seasoned sailing instructor and owner of Damsel Marine, dives deep into the art of sail trim. He discusses essential techniques like adjusting jib-sheet cars and using the boom vang and outhaul for optimal performance. With a wealth of experience across various boats, he shares personal tales of sailing mishaps and memorable moments on the water. Damm also reflects on boat design preferences, advocating for simplicity and effective maintenance, while dreaming about his ideal craft. Perfect for sailors wanting to improve their skills!

Gunnar Christensen is entered in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. We talk about his motivations, what he hopes to gain from the race, his competetiveness, preparing mentally and physically, singlehanding and being alone on the ocean, Tapio's book, The Whitbread, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, sailing full-keeled vs fin-keeled boats, jacklines and tethers, preventers and boom brakes, using an umbrella as a bimini, the Tradewind 35, the Hydrovane, books, music, and more. Shownotes and photos are at https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-6 Support the show through Patreon https://www.patreon.com/paultrammell  

  Alan Fishbone lives on his Lord Nelson 35, currently in the British Virgin Islands. He sailed there from New York in December and encountered heavy weather, which we discuss. We also talk about living on a boat, solar power, Lord Nelson sailboats, heavy weather and sailplans, accidental jibes, the Bermuda Triangle, full-keel cutters, boom brakes, the British Virgin Islands, the Hydrovane, driving in reverse and not being able to steer, Puerto Rico Culebra, San Juan, and more. Show notes can be found https://www.paultrammell.com/podcast-season-6   Support through Patreon