Offshore Sailing and Cruising with Paul Trammell

Guy deBoer is preparing for the Golden Globe Race, which starts in September, and will try to be the first American to win a solo nonstop circumnavigation race. He was in the 2022 GGR, but went aground on a reef on Fuerteventura. He has since repaired the boat, Spirit, a Tashiba 36 and is entered in the race again. We talk about the preparations he has been making to his boat, his two different windvane autopilots, his rig, his sails, bottom paint, different racing strategies (compared to 2022), his GGR tactical handbook - which he developed, the other skippers, the evolution of the race, the GGR compared to the Vendee Globe, how to win the race, avoiding bad decisions, avoiding ships, AIS, the rules, repairing his boat, The Canary Islands, delivering a Swan 57 from the Exumas to Rhode Island, celestial navigation, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon Shop or list sailboats at sailboatsforsale.com Get electrical help at Meridian Marine Electrical    

Mara is a Norwegian sailor entered in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. She was doing her 4000nm qualifier for the GGR, sailing from Morocco to St Martin in the Caribbean in her 2001 Saltram Saga 36.  We talk about the journey she was on, her boat, the refit, roller furlers, staysails, solo sailing, livestreaming, sleeping while underway alone, spinnakers, how sailing changes us, her routine, exercise, sailing technique and lessons learned, biminis, whales, safety, tethers and jacklines, a difficult moment, a beautiful moment, what comes after the race, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon  

Dudley Dix has been designing sailboats - monohulls, catamarans, and trimarans - since the 1970's and is still at it. His designs incorporate wood, fiberglass, steel, or aluminum, and he is the developer of the radius-chine plywood method. His latest design is the Didi 120 GSC, a 40' monohull designed specifically for the Global Solo Challenge.  We talk about his sailing history, sailing in South Africa, how he got involved in sailboat design, his design philosopy, sailing in the Cape to Rio Race, flying a spinnaker in 35 knots, the radius chine plywood method, capsizing in a storm, plywood construction, the Didi 120 GSC, sailing in giant swell, single rudder vs dual rudders, how to select a bluewater sailboat, comparing different materials for building boats, heavy vs light masts and the effect on stability, his two books "South Atlantic Capsize and Shaped" by "Wind and Wave," surfing, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon List or Browse sailboats for sale at sailboatsforsale.com Get electrical help from Meridian Marine Electrical Shop dinghy navigation lights at ShowMeYourDinghy.com

Tim and Emmie sail a 1996 Seastream 43 and are at the beginning of a circumnavigation starting in England. They were in Cape Verde when I interviewed them and had recently been to Senegal and The Gambia. We talk about a rough introduction to offshore sailing, sailing to Norway, Mindello Cape Verde, carnival, Dakar, Senegal, dodging fishing nets in Africa, the Saloum Delta National Park in Senegal, The Gambia, hippos and crocodiles and other wildlife, clearing in to Dakar, navigating with Google Earth, finding drinking water, clearing customs in The Gambia, the season to visit Senegal and The Gambia, whether to sail to  Patagonia or the Caribbean next, The Bahamas, Canada, the Northwest Passage, wildlife in Panama, their boat, Coppercoat, anchors, dragging, a dream boat, refitting, Emmie's art, making decisions as a couple, and more. photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page support the show through Patreon list or browse sailboats for sale at sailboatsforsale.com shop tankless dive systems at diveblu3.com

Amy Cobb and MJ Sizemore of Motherload Sailing are back in Bocas del Toro after sailing their Bavaria 50 back to Florida to sell. They replaced her with a Lagoon 410 catamaran, on which they live with their 5 sons.  We talk about their new catamaran and compare her to their monohull - both living aboard and sailing, upgrades, lithium batteries, sailing from Florida to The Bahamas, clearing in at Great Harbor in the Berry Islands, the Exumas Land and Sea Park, the Bight of Acklins, Long Island, Great Inagua, Navasse Island, sargassum seaweed, sailing from The Bahamas to Panama, jacklines, safety, tips for raising kids on a boat, provisioning for a family of seven, tips for getting along as a couple on a boat, catamaran escape hatches, bucket-list destinations, dream boats, and more. photos and linka are on the podcast shownotes page support the show through Patreon list or browse sailboats for sale at sailboatsforsale.com get electrical-system help from Meridian Marine Electrical

Brian Hathaway was in Panama when I interviewed him, near to completeing his circumnavigation. While sailing, he has been filming a documentary "The Healing Power of the Ocean." Brian is five years sober. He also directed a short documentary "Adrift." Brian sails a 2004 Hunter 44DS. We talk about fixing leaking portlights, fixing the cone clutch on his transmission, sailing from St Helena to Recife, Recife to Martinique, running aground, squalls, Puerto Rico to Panama (the worst passage of his circumnavigation), crew difficulties, dual headsails, losing both headsails, cutting a line caught in the propeller while at sea in rough conditions, climbing the mast while offshore, using a gaff on a halyard to catch a headsail halyard, motoring vs not motoring, whether or not to officially close the loop on the map to complete the circumnavigation, AIS vs Radar, zarpes, San Juan Puerto Rico, Hydrovane vs electronic autopilot, Wajag Islands, Madagascar, jacklines, tethers, saftey, fixing stuff, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon

Mike and Stephanie were in the Sea of Cortez when I interviewed them, aboard their Saga 43, Stella Blue. They bought her in British Columbia and sailed her south to California and Mexico, then to Hawaii, Alaska, down the west coast, and returned to the Sea of Cortez. We talk about Mexico and the Sea of Cortez, wildlife, their boat, the solent rig, electronics, radar, anchor lights, how they selected the Saga 43, sailing from Mexico to Hawaii, flipping a dinghy duing a beach landing, the kindness of the Mexican people, anchoring in Hawaii, sailing from Hawaii to Alaska, cruising in Alaska, Glacier Bay, glaciers, swimming moose, staying warm in the north, dealing with mold, cleaning the rigging with vinegar, mounting a Hydrovane, bucket-list destinations, and more. Links and photos are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon Browse or list sailboats for sale at https://sailboatsforsale.com/ Shop tankless dive systems at https://www.diveblu3.com/

Ryan Rayfield recently sailed with novice crew from Block Island to Bermuda in November and faced some heavy weather, which he dealt with effectively in his 60' ketch, Libra. Ryan learned to sail on Lake Martin in Alabama, and now runs Sail Libra, an offshore charter operation in the North Atlantic Ocean. He is a USCG-licensed captain, father, and lifelong mariner.   We talk about learning to sail on a makeshift Sunfish in Alabama, the advantages of sailing a ketch, light-air sails, his boat - a 1969 60' Bill Tripp center-cockpit ketch built by Abeking & Rasmussen, centerboards, replacing the centerboard, hurricanes, sailing from Rhode Island to Bermuda in November in foul weather, crossing the Gulf Stream, wind against current, planning to cross the Gulf Stream, watch schedules, sailing in 40-50 knots with 20' seas, the details of heaving-to and coming out of heaving-to safely, bucket-list destinations, and more. Links and photos are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon

Joe Drago used to be a commercial fisherman in New England and now sails a Cape Dory 45 ketch based in New York and runs Sailing Resolution, a sailing adventure charter business.  We talk about how he got involved in commercial fishing, lessons about seamanship learned from commercial fishing, fishing in foul weather, being washed overboard while longlining in the Gulf Stream, his rescue, safety gear, responding to a mayday, things commercial fishermen wish sailors did differently, towing signals, radar and AIS, sleeping while singlehanding, communication with commercial vessels, the Gulf Stream and wind against current, his boat Resolution - a Cape Dory 45 ketch, Airex foam coring,  sailing a ketch, redundant and simplified systems on his boat, personal MOB AIS beacons, bronze deck fitting, chain plates, dragging anchor, sailing and climbing in Newfoundland, tips for staying warm and dry in cold wet weather, St Pierre (French island near Newfoundland), favorite anchorage in Maine, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon   

Robin Toozs-Hobson is a long-time sailor and delivery skipper based in St. Lucia. He and I have sailed together a few times and had some great adventures. He recently did a delivery of an Excess catamaran from St. Lucia to Japan.  We talk about living in St. Lucia, living abroad and dealing with the passport and banking and mail, monohull sailing vs catamaran sailing, favorite boats, Excess catamarans, sailing from St Lucia to Japan, favorite stops along the way, the Panama Canal, diving with hamerhead sharks in Galapagos, locations in Japan, the Japanese people and culture, dealing with heavy weather in a catamaran, where the friendliest people are, anchoring a catamaran, lightning, the importance of sailing lessons, stepping outside your comfort zone, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon

Hylke Boersma is a project manager for refits at KM Yachtbuilders. He is currently working on the repair of a Boreal 52 that suffered hull damage after being struck by another boat while on a mooring.  We talk about using a 3D-scanner to asses damage, repairing an aluminum hull, repairing aluminum vs steel, care and maintenance of aluminum hulls, painting aluminum hulls, advantages of building in aluminum, common mistakes people make when buying sailboats, deck materials, diesel engines, electric motors, electrical systems on aluminum boats, what buyers should know about aluminum vs fiberglass, and more. photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon Shop or list sailboats at sailboatsforsale.com

Harry Anderson is the only person to have both flown solo and sailed solo to all seven continents. He is also the author of "Sailing 7 Continents Solo." We talk about his route, his boats (a Bavaria 37 and an Alures 40.9), sailing with a centerboard, heaving-to, HF radio, VHF with wireless remote handset, anchoring, shore lines, generating electricity, Deception Island, getting permits to go to Antarctica, katabatic winds, Puerto Montt, Cocos Keeling, friendly people, favorite places, Namibia, beautiful moments, safety, heaters, the NW passage, his books, and more. photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page  support the show through Patreon browse or list sailboats for sale  get remote electrical help from Meridian Marine Electrical

Willem Nieland has been designing yachts for 35 years. He designs Globemaster yachts, as well as custom aluminum expedition sailboats, motor yachts, and residential yachts. His designs are know for efficent and ergonomic use of space, comfort, and excellent offshore sailing characteristics. We talk about design elements he likes in a boat, his boat, sailing around The Netherlands, designing boats, the Northwest Passage, the expedition boat Necton, twin saildrives, his Globemaster yachts, using a lifting keel, the Globemaster 45 and some of its features, advantages and disadvantages of dual rudders, bilge keels, standpipes on water intakes, dual fuel filters, folding propellers, engines, ergonomics and layout, working with the owner on customboats, the Globemaster 53, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon  

Tapio Lehtinen and his crew were sailing in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers from the Canary Islands to St. Lucia when we talked. The interview was conducted in the cockpit of Galiana, a 1972 Swan 55 yawl, while underway. I spoke with each of the crew, most of whom were paying customers. Tapio is taking paying crew on ocean training passages and various offshore races this year, as well as the 2027 Ocean Globe Race. Ifyou are interested in sailing with Tapio on Galiana, email me at paulwtrammell@hotmail.com and I will put you in touch with Tapio, as well as his schedule and prices. Photos of Galiana and crew are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon List or browse sailboats for sale at SailboatsForSale.com Shop for dinghy navigation lights at ShowMeYourDinghy.com and use discout code MERRY CHRISTMAS for 10% off

Viivi was part of Tapio Lehtinen's crew onboard Galiana for the 2023 Ocean Globe Race. This race was the subject of Tapio's book "Pole Star and Albatross." Viivi is now building a Class Globe 5.80 to sail in the 2026 Mini Globe Transat.  We talk about learning to sail, training for the Ocean Globe Race (OGR), the sinking of Asteria, favorite moments in the OGR, rounding Cape Horn, fear, difficult moments, sail repair, maintaining a positive spirit on Galiana, diving to fix the hydrogenerator offshore, steering across the finish line of the OGR, the unexpected, the Southern Ocean, Galiana, the Globe 5.80 Transat, building her boat, advice for young sailors, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page. Support the show through Patreon. Browse or list sailboats for sale at sailboatsforsale.com Shop for tankless dive systems from BLU3

Andrew Evans is best known for his book "Singlehanded Sailing, Thoughts Tips Techniques and Tactics." His most recent book is "Singlehanded Sailing, Two Points West of Sanity." The book is mostly about his ill-fated passage attempting to sail from Victoria, Canada, to the start of the Transpac in San Francisco. During the journey, he experienced falling overboard, taking on water, total loss of his electrical system, great hardship, exhaustion, and a week of hallucinations. In this episode, Andrew tells the story of this journey, starting in Victoria, Canada and finishing with his rescue in Victoria Canada. We talk all about the sailing, his hallucinations, and how the problems might have been prevented. We also talk about Andrew's other interest in physics and his new patent on manufactured gravity. Links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon List or browse sailboats for sale

The Royal Western Yacht Club was founded in 1827 to encourage yacht racing. Chris Arscott is the Vice Commodore and organizes the OSTAR and the Round Britain & Ireland Race, and now the Worldstar, a new nonstop round-the-world race for 35'-60' monohulls without specific requirements and raced singlehanded or doublehanded,.  We talk about the Worldstar, Starlink, communication, sponsorship, making the race affordable, how the Worldstar is different from other circumnavigation races, history of the OSTAR (1960) and Doublhand RBI (1966), support during the race, livestreaming during the race, safety, the Worldstar rules, the inspiration for the race, Guy Waites, life rafts, watermakers, qualification, favorite boats, and more. links are on the podcast shownotes page support the show through Patreon

Guido Cantini is an Italian entrant in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. His boat is a Vancouver 34, and he has been preparing for the race for six years.  We talk about sailing arounf the Tuscan Archipelago, the differences between being a mariner and a racer, the Golden Globe Race, his boat and how he chose it, work he has done to the boat, cruising in Panama, the effects of moving weight inside the boat, heaters, GGR rules, reefing, sailing in the "Nostar," breaking a Hydrovane, electronic autopilots, heavy weather strategies, the GGR and what he is looking forward to, dealing with fear, the Jordan Series Drogue, heaving-to, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon Browse sailboats or list yours for sale at Sailboatsforsale.com Get electrical help from Meridian Marine Electrical

Eddie and Kelli were in Corfu, Greece, when I spoke to them. They were sailing a 1986 Beneteau First 29, had just sold it, and were buying a Moody 422.  We talk about sailing with a new baby, kids on boats, their Beneteau First 29 and how they chose it, buying a boat remotely, in-mast furling, the Moody 422, sailing in Croatia, buying a boat in Croatia, registering a boat in Poland, staying in the EU - leaving and returning to renew visas, digital nomad visas, Montenegro, sea mines and the danger of anchoring, Tunisia, cruising Greece, ancient ruins, the food, making decisions as a couple, other couple dynamics, drinking water, worries that never happened, lightning strikes, thunderstorms, rain, comparing van life to sailing life, Odysseus, difficult situations, beautiflul moments, anchoring, dragging anchor, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon Browse sailboats or list yours for sale at sailboatsforsale.com Shop taknless dive systems from Blu3  

Iain and Brioni are two Scottish sailors casually circumnavigating on a Leopard 47 Catamaran. As we spoke, they were in the South Pacific.  We talk about dealing with a broken steering cable, using an emergency tiller, repairing the steel cable with dyneema, their route across the South Pacific, hurricanes, staying warm, whales, cameras and drones and the logistics of making a YouTube channel, INav4U, how to know when to reef a catamaran, watch and sleep schedules, sailing to an uncharted atoll, fish and their level of intelligence, sharks, making decisions as a couple without conflict, division of boat chores or not, sailing goals, tacking angles of their catamaran and my monohull, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon