Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast

This week I am answering a question that I get asked A LOT! How to get more experience in between courses. Not an easy task sometimes! Thanks for the question Ell, and please let me know what kind of sailing groups you guys have found to be useful! Enjoy!

Finishing up our tender discussions and talking a bit more about how I am selecting my tender.

This week I'm diving into a Spindrift project and researching new tenders. My last one met an unfortunate, and unexpected, end. Enjoy!

This week I have an interview with my friend and instructor Graham! Graham came to Croatia with me in 2022 and loved it so much that he returned in 2023. He's here to share some of his chartering tips and tricks! Enjoy!

Are you looking for something unique to gift the sailor in your life? I've pulled together a list of some unique experiences to think about! 1. Sunset Sailing Cruise: Gift a serene evening sailing experience, allowing the sailor to enjoy the beauty of a sunset over the water.2. Private Sailing Lesson: Arrange for a personalized sailing lesson with a professional instructor to help improve skills and confidence on the water.3. Weekend Sailing Getaway: Provide a weekend getaway aboard a chartered sailboat, offering the sailor a chance to explore new waters and destinations.4. Racing Regatta Participation: Enroll the sailor in a local sailing regatta or race, providing an exhilarating and competitive experience on the water.5. Sailing Expedition Adventure: Gift an adventurous sailing expedition, perhaps to explore remote islands, coastal regions, or offshore destinations.6. Navigation and Seamanship Course: Enroll the sailor in a comprehensive course focused on navigation, seamanship, and maritime skills to enhance their knowledge.7. Sailing Vacation Package: Surprise the sailor with a pre-arranged sailing vacation package to a sought-after sailing destination, complete with accommodations and boat rental.8. Historical Tall Ship Cruise: Offer an unforgettable experience aboard a historic tall ship, allowing the sailor to appreciate the romance and tradition of sailing.9. Marine Wildlife Watching Tour: Arrange a marine wildlife watching tour, providing the opportunity to observe and learn about local sea life while sailing.10. Sailing Equipment Upgrade: Gift a voucher for a professional boat upgrade, such as new sails, navigation equipment, or safety gear, enhancing the sailor's sailing experience.

This week I am providing you with a personalized playlist depending on where you are in your sailing journey. For those of you who are new to the podcast, welcome aboard and this will give you an idea on what to listen to! For those of you who have been around awhile, thank you, and this is a great playlist to review past episodes and important info. Enjoy! Please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/yourpocketsailinginstructor! For as little as $3/month it really helps!

Well, I have a dirty secret to share this week... Ugh. Enjoy! Don't forget to check out my Patreon page a patreon.com/yourpocketsailinginstructor ! Thanks for the ongoing support!

This week I am discussing crew dynamics (again) and some conflict resolution ideas. Ideally you avoid these conflicts form the beginning, but we all know that doesn't always happen! I hope you find some useful tips and please remember to like, share and subscribe to keep up to date on my episodes! Don't forget to check out PATREON as well https://www.patreon.com/yourpocketsailinginstructor Penny

Are you looking to explore the world of solo sailing? I highly recommend it!! There are many benefits of solo sailing including: flexibility, adventure, problem-solving, personal satisfaction, etc. There are also several areas where you should focus your efforts to make sure your sail goes off without a hitch: planning, skill acquisition (especially reefing and docking), safety equipment upgrades, etc.

This week I am trying out a few new things including a video podcast. Yikes. Today I am giving you some tools, skills and books to check out to kick off 2024 on the right foot. Here are a couple book recommendations, an essential knot recommendation, sail trim thoughts and docking maneuver to master. Enjoy!

Alright we are finally wrapping up our Sail Series!! Talking about types of fabrics used for sails as well as different cuts that your sailmaker may suggest depending on your sailing goals. Enjoy!

This week I am talking about my process to find a match made in heaven! Finding the right sailmaker can go a long way. I have seen many sailors spend a lot of money and end up with so-so sails. Not good!

coming soon!

This week I am diving into all things sails! I talk about: - different foresails - sail parts - typical wear spots - basic checks to perform regularly - best practices to help keep your sails in good working order Will continue with more info next week too! Enjoy!

I have been MIA for a little bit as Spindrift has been keeping me on my toes! I fix one thing, and 5 more break requiring my attention. I have not been following my own advice and I have been caught up in the weeds! No more I say! So this week I sat down, wrote a list, and came up with my strategy. This is nothing new for me as I am a list queen. But thought I would share some of the thoughts around creating some resilience in the world of boat maintenance... 1. prioritize 2. brainstorm solutions 3. dooms day planning 4. adapt & fix 5. reflect, review and appreciate See you next week!

Coming soon!

Coming soon

Coming soon

This week we are talking about wind indicators and some of my tips to help you make sure you don't have a bad neck by the end of your sail! Sail Nelson: https://sailnelson.com/

It is the time of year when I see many boats not moving, some boats breaking free from their moorings, others being inhabited by wildlife... so many boats that are left unattended and languishing. So, I decided to put together some ideas and recommendations for what to do if it is time to decommission your boat. Sails: these can be donated to another boat, repurposed as shade cloth, repurposed as tarps, upcycled into trendy bags (AfterSails, ReSails, etc.). Hardware: remove your old hardware and either sell it, or donate it to other sailors. Many people are looking for spare parts which include cleats, pulleys, fairleads, etc. You'd be surprised what someone else might be needing! Rope: remove all of your lines and repurpose them around the house, garden, cottage, etc. Worst case, put them out in a free bin for someone to pick up. Engine & Fuel Tank: remove and donate or repurpose on another boat. Electronics & VHF: remove and pass along or sell to another boater. Propane Tank: remove and use elsewhere. Interior Cushions: remove and cut down to fit outdoor lawn chairs, or anywhere else you would like some new cushions. Alternatively, there may be another boat owner looking for some cushions, so pass them along. Other Interior Items: many items can be repurposed for other outdoor activities like hiking, biking or camping. Mast: repurpose your mast as a unique flagpole. Boom: repurpose the boom by mounting it in the garage and using it for hanging storage. Standing Rigging Wire: can be repurposed as a clothesline or for hanging outdoor curtains off a deck. Hull: here is an article I found with some fun things to do with smaller boat hulls. Ports: remove old ports and use them as new windows for cold frames, garage, other small projects. Galley Sink: repurpose as an outdoor garden sink. Head: repurpose or pass along to another boater. Check out sailnelson.com for more info! Penny