Offshore Sailing and Cruising with Paul Trammell

In this second update from Newfoundland, I discuss anchorages in the Bay d'Espoir, hiking, fishing, fake waterfalls, getting a fishing license, new anchoring techniques, falling rocks, swarms of hungry bloodsucking bugs, and I answer questions from Patreon patrons.

The Bluenose II is a 161' schooner based out of Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada, and is a replica of the original Bluenose, a Grand Banks fishing and racing schooner, and possibly the most iconic boat in North America. We talk about the boat's history, construction, operation, and passages. We talk about the crew, how they get the positions, what skills they develop, and what their lives are like.

This is the second part of my third interview with Roan and Karrie Poulter, The Wayward Travelers. We talk mainly about The Bahamas. It's a fun conversation. If you haven't already listened to the previous episode, check it out first.

Roan and Karrie bought a catamaran to do America's Great Loop, which we talked about in their first interview. They have now completed their Bahamas season, and thus wrapped up their sailing adventure, which was one of many. We talk about The Bahamas, Georgetown, fishing, food, culture, unforgettable experiences, wildlife, and much more. This is part 1 of a 2-part interview.

Discussing my time in Nova Scotia, from Lunenberg through the Bras d'Or Lake, and Newfoundland, particularly the fjords on the south coast.

In this third interview with Guy DeBoer, we talk about his preparations for the 2022 Golden Globe Race, covering topics like boat preparation, spinnaker poles, electrical generation, sails, food, books, safety, the other competitors, and much more.

Having no previous sailing experience, Shawna moved onto a 35' sailboat with her partner, gave up her land-based life, and sailed away to the Caribbean. We talk about sacrifices, learning to sail, dealing with fear, cutting ties to land, family, career, experiencing new cultures, making new friends, staying clean, getting along with each other, and more.

Nini and Lisa are preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean in a 27' rowboat in the 2022 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. We talk about their mission, motivation, the boat, food, water, getting past fear, their training, the team, wildlife risks, and much more.

A documentation of my journey from Snow Island, Maine, to Tenants Harbor; to Rockland; to Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada; to Rogues Roost, and my first stop in the 100 wild Islands - Wolfes Island.

In this second part of our conversation, we talk about sea-level rise, the impacts of leisure boating, what cruising sailors can do to minimize our impact on the environment, dealing with black-water, seagrass beds, coral nurseries, fertilizer runoff, responding to science data, conspiracies, and more.

Dr Welbourne is both scientist and cruising sailor. We talk about solar panels, lithium batteries, camera traps, sharks, bearded fire worms, The Bahamas, coral reef ecology, sea-level rise, and more. This is part one, part 2 comes out next week.

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.

In this second part of our discussion, we talk about UFOs, books, writing, cruising, fishing, publishing, and much more.

Julie is the author of "Escape from the Ordinary," "Crossing Pirate Waters," and "May Day May Day, Mariners Guide to VHF Radio." We talk about transitioning between a military life to a cruising life, marinas, gear, ketches, safety, Amel sailboats, when not to abandon ship, UFOs and much more.

This is the second part of the interview with Kirsten (part 1 is the previous episode). We talk about sailing from Prince Edward Island to Cape Town, South Africa. She left Canada in December, in conditions most of us would not consider leaving in. We also talk about equipment, books, spearfishing, avoiding sharks, Bernard Moitessier, who will win the race, bottom paint, and much more.

Kirsten is an entrant in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, a solo circumnavigation race that starts this September. She just completed a journey in her boat from Prince Edward Island, Canada, to Cape Town, South Africa. We talk about the journey, which started in a gale under storm trisail, and her preparations for the race.

In this mid-week mini-episode, I talk about painting my propeller, sailing plans, writing a book with Tapio Lehtinen, and the bonus episodes I am putting on Patreon. Patrons can ask me to talk about anything they are curious about, and I will discuss it in a bonus episode, accessible only to Patreon patrons. This week's bonus episode on Patreon is in response to Jay, who wanted me to talk about selecting anchorages based on weather. Find a Patreon link at the bottom of every page of my website paultrammell.com to join and become a patron. You will get access to the bonus episodes regardless of the amount you pledge.

Guy Waites is a competitor in the upcoming Golden Globe Race - a solo circumnavigation in traditional cruising boats limited to 1968 technology. We talk about his sailing experience, his boat, sailing from Panama to the UK, safety, reefing, rigging, heavy weather, who is going to win, and much more!

Lia is a solo sailor and a long-distance rower, and she recently rowed all the way from California to Hawaii. We talk about being an athlete, training, meal replacements, sleep, rowing, navigation on the rowboat, yoga, breathing, fear, sharks, solitude, solo sailing, and much more!

Amy Alton, aka Liz Alden, has circumnavigated on a catamaran and written 4 books. We talk about anchoring in The Bahamas, her catamaran, sailing the new boat to Miami from France, using radar, obstacles in SE Asia, safety gear and protocols, Nova Scotia, writing as a way to earn money while cruising, octopuses, making time to write, writing technique, learning to write, and much more.

Chuck is one of the most successful sailboat designers of all time, and has been at it since the 1970's. We discuss old designs vs. new, the pros and cons of heavy full-keeled boats, weatherhelm, modern designs, translating sailing experience to design, good and bad sailing memories, his beautiful wooden daysailors, his early racing days, Herreschoffs, how to select an offshore sailboat, and more.

In this, my second interview with Roan and Karrie Poulter, we talk about their experiences in The Bahamas, as compared to the Great Loop, and in a small inexpensive boat with limited experience.

I met Harry because we are both sober sailors. Harry was an alcoholic and a Biker in California, and is now 29 years sober and an accomplished sailor. We talk about his Malo 39, B&G instruments, watermakers, Puerto Vallarta, the Sea of Cortez, learning to sail in California, getting sober, hitting the bottom, being a sober sailor and navigating the social scene, advice for anyone who wants to get sober, Buddhism for those in recovery, meditation, and much more.

Roan and Carrie Poulter, aka The Wayward Travelers, spoke to me from Key West after completing the Great Loop in their 1988 Gemeni 3000 catamaran. We talk about their route, storms, friendly locals, the Erie Canal, selecting a boat for the loop, budgeting for the loop, their 5 great adventures, shade, showering, surfing, the Great Dismal Swamp, and much more.

Gary French was sailing his brand new Amel 50 off the coast of Spain in 2020 when his boat was attacked by Orcas. We talk about the boat, the orca attack, repairing the boat, the ARC 2020, safety, and more.

Matt is refitting the classic Open 60 formerly known as Duracell and turning it into a cruising home for he and his wife. We talk about learning to sail, racing in Puget Sound, living aboard in the Pacific Northwest, why he took on this project, his inspirations, Mike Plant, designing the interior, diesel/electric hybrids, Steve Dashew, Coyote the movie, the Duracell Project, designing a new keel, the Sea of Cortez, advice for buying an old boat, and much more.

Simon Curwen will be sailing around the world solo and nonstop in his Biscay 36 in the 2022 Golden Globe Race. We talk about racing, his boat, tiller vs wheel, full keel vs modern designs, headsail configurations, roller furling vs hank-on, dual mainsheets, Hydrovane vs Aries, selecting lines, antifouling, reefing, safety, solo sailing vs sailing with crew, what he is looking forward to and what he fears about the GGR, sail trim for cruisers, and much more.

An interview with Donna, the Marina Manager at the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, Jamaica.

I discuss my singlehand passage of 8 days and 900nm from Bocas del Toro, Panama, to Port Antonio, Jamaica.

John and his wife took their first sailing class in March of 2020 and later that year bought a Tartan 37. His story is a good example of how to move quickly from landlubber to cruising sailor. We talk about sailing education, buying a boat, the survey and haul-out, Tartan 37's, dealing with bad weather, insurance, hurdles that stop people from leaving the dock, making mistakes as a beginner, dinghies, fuel and avoiding diesel bug, climbing the mast, autopilots, steering, anchoring, and much more.

This is my second interview with Guy deBoer, an entrant in the 2022 Golden Globe Race. We discuss the refit of his boat, Spirit, a Tashiba 36, including details like bottom paint, bilge pumps, the mast, solar panels, and reefing. We also discuss sail training, communication, fin keel vs full keel, the other competitors, killer whales, and sextant navigation.

John, Jennifer, and their son Wilson Stark live on a Tartan 41. I interviewed them in Bocas del Toro, Panama. We talk about their boat, safety, sailing through a 2-day gale in the Gulf of Mexico, sailing from Jacksonville, Florida, to Panama, whales, swimming offshore, Panamanian residency, working while living aboard, homeschooling, boat kids, mooring screws, and much more.

This is my second interview with 2022 Golden Globe Race competitor Gaurav Shinde. We talk all about his preparations for the around-the-world singlehand race, including his own mental and physical preparations, as well as the ongoing refit of his boat Good Hope, a Baba 35. We also talk about his relationships with other competitors, meditation, and how he has already altered his sleep schedule.

In part 2, we go deeper into Ricardo's experience surviving the sinking of his mini-transat boat, what went through his mind while floating 26 hours in a lifejacket, how he contacted the cruise ship that rescued him and talked them to his location, how he was received on the ship, and how this turned into his career as an inspirational speaker. Other stories we get into include almost hitting a whale and a UFO encounter. We also discuss the coast of Portugal, anchorages and surfing locations, future plans, and more.

Ricardo Diniz is a Portuguese singlehand sailor, author, coach, actor, businessman, and inspirational speaker. We talk about growing up in Portugal, learning to sail, building a mini-transat boat, running into a container and sinking in this boat, surviving 26 hours at sea in a lifejacket, being rescued by a cruise ship, hitting a second container a year later, sleeping when singlehanding, safety at sea, reefing, seasickness, and more.

I met Maikel in Bocas del Toro when he sold me a dinghy that he built. He invited me into his shop, where he had built an aluminum dinghy from scratch. Also in the shop was a dismantled 34' aluminum sailboat, which he was rebuilding. In this episode, we discuss this project, which includes building a lifting keel, as well as how he finances his nomadic life working on other boats.

In this second interview with Carin, we discuss sailing from Bocas del Toro to shelter Bay, preparing to transit the Panama Canal, going through the canal, the Pacific side, and preparing for the coming passage to French Polynesia.

Carl Schultz, a former bicycle messenger in New York City, is a solo sailor exploring the tropics on his Shipman 28. We talk about his adventures sailing through the Bahamas, to Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic.

Simon and Sally recently sailed from Greenland to Labrador to Newfoundland to Nova Scotia. We talk about high-latitude sailing, staying warm, anchoring, radar, icebergs, bugs, clearing customs, Vikings, polar bears, williwas, hiking, favorite places in Newfoindland, Bras d'Or Lake, and much more.

I spoke with Peter as he was anchored in Portugal fixing a steering breakdown. He is on his way around the world in a solo, nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation via the five capes in his Rival 41, Waxwing.