Liveaboard Sailing Podcast

This week, I’m joined by Aaron Bandstra, a marine surveyor based in the Pacific Northwest, for a practical conversation about boat surveys, maintenance, and what buyers and owners should really be paying attention to.We talk about what surveyors actually look for during an inspection. Aaron also shares what signs often point to a well-maintained boat. We discuss how boats that sit unused can age differently, what owners can do to maintain long-term value, and how maintenance habits often tell a deeper story.A great episode for anyone buying a boat, maintaining one, or simply wanting to better understand what really matters below the surface.This podcast is brought to you with curiosity, kindness and a big sailing dream.You can explore more episodes, show notes and ways to support the show at liveaboardsailingpodcast.comFollow our community on Instagram & Facebook: @liveaboardsailingpodcastIf this episode inspired you, please rate or review the show; it makes a world of difference!Guest inquiry formHave a story to share? Apply to be a guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Liveaboard Sailing Podcast, John Neal from Mahina Offshore Services returns for another practical conversation—this time around shorthanded sailing.We talk about why checklists matter, how good systems reduce stress offshore, and what sailors can do to make shorthanded sailing more efficient, safer, and less overwhelming. We also shift into the current sailboat market, because for the first time in a while, there’s finally more to say than just prices are going up. We talk about what’s changing, what buyers and sellers should be paying attention to, and why the market conversation is becoming more interesting again.A practical episode for anyone sailing with a small crew, planning bigger passages, or thinking through smarter boat decisions.This podcast is brought to you with curiosity, kindness and a big sailing dream.You can explore more episodes, show notes and ways to support the show at liveaboardsailingpodcast.comFollow our community on Instagram & Facebook: @liveaboardsailingpodcastIf this episode inspired you, please rate or review the show; it makes a world of difference!Guest inquiry formHave a story to share? Apply to be a guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Beemer is a marine technology instructor and sailor who, in 2025, took part in an expedition through the Northwest Passage. We spoke about what it actually takes to prepare for and sail a route like this, from the technical side of the boat to the realities of operating in ice and constantly changing conditions.We talk about the day-to-day life on board an Arctic expedition, including watchkeeping, workload, and the need to stay adaptable when plans shift quickly.Mike also shares how his work as an instructor shapes the way he approaches sailing, from problem-solving to understanding systems, and how that perspective played a role during the voyage.This podcast is brought to you with curiosity, kindness and a big sailing dream.You can explore more episodes, show notes and ways to support the show at liveaboardsailingpodcast.comFollow our community on Instagram & Facebook: @liveaboardsailingpodcastIf this episode inspired you, please rate or review the show; it makes a world of difference!Guest inquiry formHave a story to share? Apply to be a guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙️ Today's guests are Julie and Gio from Pelagic Blue, who sail aboard their Malo 39, Sea Fox.⛵️ At the time of this recording, they were preparing for a Pacific passage toward the Galapagos, and in this episode, we talk through what that actually involves, both practically and mentally.From permits and route planning to watch systems, fatigue, and decision-making at sea, this is a grounded look at the reality behind longer offshore passages.We also explore what it means to sail as a couple. Julie and Gio share how they moved from being “two captains” with different approaches to building a system that works, and how looking after each other has become central to how they sail.Along the way, we talk about the smaller routines that matter more than you might expect, from food and morale to staying rested enough to make good decisions.And finally, we touch on what “home” means when your life is tied to a boat, and how that definition can shift over time.⭐️ Find Julie & Gio online:Pelagic Blue websiteCruiser's CollegeThis podcast is brought to you with curiosity, kindness and a big sailing dream.You can explore more episodes, show notes and ways to support the show at liveaboardsailingpodcast.comFollow our community on Instagram & Facebook: @liveaboardsailingpodcastIf this episode inspired you, please rate or review the show; it makes a world of difference!Guest inquiry formHave a story to share? Apply to be a guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is a deep dive into what solo ocean sailing actually looks like in practice.In this second conversation with Tomas Fehrling, we pick up where we left off in episode 67 back when he was in Panama, and follow his journey across the Pacific and beyond.We talk about what long passages are really like day to day, how decision-making changes when you’re alone at sea, and why experience often leads not to more action… but to calmer, more measured responses.From 30 days without seeing another boat, to losing contact with the outside world for third of that, to choosing the less-travelled route across oceans — this episode is full of practical insights for anyone thinking about long-distance sailing.This podcast is brought to you with curiosity, kindness and a big sailing dream.You can explore more episodes, show notes and ways to support the show at liveaboardsailingpodcast.comFollow our community on Instagram & Facebook: @liveaboardsailingpodcastIf this episode inspired you, please rate or review the show; it makes a world of difference!Guest inquiry formHave a story to share? Apply to be a guest! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.