The Mariner

This one is a little racing heavy but then there are some pretty interesting races going on! I take a quick look at the Vendee Leaders, the capsize of the Americas Cup boat 'Patriot' and the weather situation facing the 'Edmund De Rothschild' Maxi Trimaran currently fighting for the Jules Verne Trophy. With the news comes the views, and this week I discuss things as far afield as Elon Musk's Starlink and the Artic Vortex threatening to freeze Nova Scotia this week. So, Sit Down, Clip on & Listen in for another hour of of the every-day* Mariner Podcast. (*ish) If you have any questions or requests you would like to share, please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

It's Official! The (Lead Acid) battery is dead. This episode let me take you for a wander around my thought processes as I come to the realization that Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries need not be a dream anymore. Finally, prices have now dropped to a point where pretty decent, reliable units are available on the market that will bring me all the advantages of the LiFePO4 batteries: such as lighter weight, longer life, more useable capacity and higher charging rates; without blowing the budget. If you have any questions you would like to share, please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

In this episode I continue reading Capt. Joshua Slocum's excellent narrative of his solo circumnavigation of the world in 1895. This week Slocum is rounding Cape Horn, but between tremendous storms that drive the Spray back again and again plus dealing with the threat of piracy from the local people - he certainly has his work cut out for him! I conclude the reading of these chapters as always with some commentary on the material, this week I am able to share some of my own experiences of Cape Horn that only reinforce the well earned reputation of this infamous place. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

As the second wave of Covid 19 starts to be felt in territories across Asia, Europe and the Americas the building problem of millions of people facing prolonged isolation and social insulation starts to be felt as well. Mental health and the long term effects of going without normal human contact has well understood and well researched ramifications but is this being forgotten about as promises of vaccines and the end of lockdown circulate? With months to go in this pandemic in any reasonable forecast, now is the time to double-down on our awareness of the effects of the Covid restrictions on ourselves and others. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

It's 2021 and it's time to get the Mariner underway! In this episode I discuss the future of the podcast and take a look at the news from the Vendee Globe. I also discuss the Ocean Globe Race in 2023, Spartan's itinerary for 2021 and my Westabout the world record attempt which i hope will now go ahead in November! There is lots to tell and my goodness don't I pack it all in this time! Warning! This may be the episode where you select '0.75% playback speed' as I fairly rattle along!! ;) If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

This episode I reading and discussing chapters 5 & 6 of 'Sailing Alone Around the World' by Captain Joshua Slocum In the commentary I take time to share my experience of sailing the same route that Slocum follows in this section of the book and unpack the vocabulary, technical details and what it feels like to engage in some of the exploits Slocum shares with us. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

This episode presents some very important and thought provoking information that I would advise all listeners to research on their own so they can confirm the facts presented and make changes, if necessary to their life on and off the boat. What subject could cause me to be so somber and serious? Storm tactics? Immigration laws? No, this week I am talking about sleep. The importance of sleep is a weirdly absent convention amongst sailors who above all travelers and sports people expose themselves repeatedly and needlessly to the dangers of sleep deprivation. This is mainly due to the fact that we are, on the whole- hugely uneducated about this critical subject. So, clip on, sit down & listen in; it's time to learn why the foolish old line, 'Sleep when you're dead' is mortally unwise and darkly ironic advice. If you have any questions you would like to share, please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

Questions & Tangents is the weekly episode where I answer listener questions, tell you about the news in my own sailing and generally ramble on about all things maritime for an 1hr! This episode I talk about foils on the Vendee boats - pros and cons, sea-sickness and how to combat it, the Ocean Globe Race and the new North Atlantic loop that Spartan is doing in the summer of 2021 - which I am really looking forward to and much more! Join me if you would rather be at sea! If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

This episode I interview Philip Bachmann a sailor I have completed many miles of offshore sailing with. He talks about his time learning to be a boatbuilder and the adventures it has led him to including getting to grips with being a skipper on his own boat and learning how advanced 19th century yacht design was. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

This episode I reading and discussing chapters 3 & 4 of 'Sailing Alone Around the World' by Captain Joshua Slocum In the commentary you will join me as I go down to my own round the world race boat, to discuss some things about this part of the book that are very close to my heart. I can only hope, once more, that I do that old Nova Scotian shellback some justice and help bring his incredible story to life for another generation of sailors. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

This episode we get away from gear reviews, interviews & book reading and get back to where the Mariner started.. me chatting about what's going on in my watery world and answering listener questions. We cover what's happening with the Westabout campaign, the exciting news that Spartan is once again setting sail in 2021 and I share my new found excitement about the Vendee Globe Virtual Regatta app which has had me glued to my phone for a week! If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

This week I introduce a new feature- once a week I will be reading from a famous sailing book and giving you a commentary afterward that will hopefully expand & illuminate the text. The first book to receive this treatment is for many, the first real offshore sailing book ever written - it is of course ' Sailing Alone Around the World' by Captain Joshua Slocum. Slocum was born and raised not 60 miles from where I live here in Nova Scotia so this was the most obvious book for me to start with but it was also by far the most popular book suggested by listeners. I can only hope that I do that old shellback some justice and help bring his incredible story to life for another generation of sailors. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

In this episode I finally make good on my threat to interview someone my first victim/volunteer is Ryan Barkey and in keeping with my normal proficiency in all matters technical the recording of my microphone was corrupted by the time it got to the editing suite! No matter! I have boosted the recording from Ryan's mic and apart from me sounding like I am sitting in the engine room it is still a great interview! I think Ryan's story is a very common story for someone within the professional (non-superyacht) sailing industry who is trying to make his way through a professional landscape that has very few signposts. Take a job, build qualifications, lever as much experience as you can from each job you take and keep you eye on what is your end goal. It's Ryan's story, it's my story and I think many of you will appreciate his adventurous and positive take on life. Ryan shares with us how he came to be an offshore racer- the adventures and pitfalls he faced along the way and his latest project to sail a Class 40 around the world in the upcoming Globe 40 Race in 2021. Ryan's website is www.loosefishracing.com and you can find a link there to his Gofundme page if you feel like dropping him a few dollars to make dreams into realities. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

In this episode we take a deep dive on modern lifejackets- how they have evolved, the design features that make modern jackets so good and I introduce the life jacket I use and is used throughout all of Spartan Ocean Racing's events- the 'Team O Back Tow' life jacket. If you are thinking of buying a new jacket- looking to upgrade to a better jacket for the new season or a just interested to find out more about this crucial piece of life saving equipment - jump in and enjoy 90 minutes of informative and entertaining banter. To learn more about the Back Tow Life Jacket go to: www.teamomarine.com If you use the promo code: SpartanOceanRacing (case sensitive) you will receive a 15% discount and help support the podcast. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. If you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Cheers, CSM

In this episode I introduce you to our newly christened Open 60 'Pride of Nova Scotia' and finally get down to explaining what this West Around the World, Solo, Non-stop voyage is all about. I also take you through where I am up to in the project, what the schedule is and what the obstacles ahead might be. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25 cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month.

In this episode I share where I have been for the past few weeks and take you through the wonderful voyage I had up the Eastern seaboard of the US from Georgia to Boston. The boat I was lucky enough to sail on was a Formula 40 trimaran called 'Spirit' (ex. Spirit of England). She was one of the hot ticket rides in the 1990's with a Fastnet Class win (amongst many other things) to her credit in 1995 as well as being one of the early steeds for sailing legend Brian Thompson. The boat has since been modified for cruising and as you will hear I was blown away by how well that conversion has worked, but let's be clear- at no stage did this boat lose it's 'get up & go' and the result is a massively capable offshore multihull with a intelligently and thoughtfully designed interior suitable for a couple (who like to host big groups of friends!) If you want to see more of this boat check out the previous owners' (Jason & Claudia) Youtube channel, I think it will really help bring the sights and sounds of this awesome boat to life for you. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBgq4-qZn5FEfrli2SmX7w Thanks also to Andrew & Jess who came to me with this exceptional opportunity - I look forward to sailing with you again soon! If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I examine the concept of 'Chronoception' our in-built ability to assess the passing of time and how it changes in times of stress, fear, activity, boredom & excitement. Time and memory are variable depending on what you are doing, how much you enjoy it and what chemicals your brain is creating whilst you do it. This week I look at how sailing offers us a perfect activity to wind back the clock somewhat and begin laying down memories that are as rich and vivid as those created in the heady days of our youth; memories we often identify as the the best days of our lives. Is there any way to slow down time back down and get off the rollercoaster I- at least- seemed to board sometime just after 40- I propose there is and sailing is a fantastic way to do it. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this final instalment of the story of sailing solo around the world covers the last leg of the Velux 5 Oceans Race from Charleston, USA to La Rochelle, France. This was the best leg of the entire race for me but there were still some major difficulties to overcome including a massive flooding incident that saw air crew being scrambled in Halifax, Nova Scotia and one of my canting keel ram pins breaking 400Nm from the finish. I take a little time at the end of the episode to reflect on what the entire escapade adds up to in my mind and look forward a little to the next lap of the planet in November 2020. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I take you for a whirlwind tour of the Moon our closest partner in the heavens and the single most important element - potentially- in the development of life on this planet. The Moon's origins are still somewhat mysterious and it is only in very recent years that we have turned the full focus of modern science on the complicated questions of 'Where did the Moon come from?' and 'What has been the relationship between the Earth and Moon over the last 4.5 Billion years?' Luckily I get it all worked out for you in just over an hour..... I don't think you will be disappointed it's a wild Patreon Sitestory; a whole other planet you probably never heard of called 'Theia', Earth spinning so fast it does a full rotation in just 6 hours, our man Galileo asking difficult questions and 1000ft high tides! Grab yourself a cup of coffee and prepare to look upon Selene your new best friend in a whole new light. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I describe the 6,500Nm race from Punta Del Este in Uruguay to Charleston, South Carolina. The sailing was nothing to write home about but everything else about that trip was pretty unique. Terrible toothache required me to create a temporary dental solution at sea but having worked that out my watermaker then stopped working which left me with only two options; stop racing and stop into Brazil to get repairs done or keep racing and head on to Charleston and drink brackish water for two weeks. If you have been listening to this podcast for a while -you know what I choose ;) If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this podcast I put on my black turtleneck sweater, horn-rimmed glasses and ask you to lie down on the Mariner couch as we discuss some interesting aspects of psychology and metacognition that can really affect our learning style, our ability to develop advanced hard skills and even perhaps influence our ability to keep ourselves and our crew safe at sea. If you have never heard of the Dunning-Kruger effect, the Superiority Illusion, Selective Bias or the Imposter Syndrome prepare to deny everything and declare yourself an above average student! If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I answer a listener question about who inspires me in sailing and why. I gave this some thought and decided to include only those who truly motivate me at an emotional level rather than just those who's exploits I find noteworthy. Dame Naomi James, Joshua Slocum, Sterling Hayden & Jean Luc Van Den Heede & the Westabout Circumnavigation Record are who/what I decided upon- some you may know- others not but all are connected to sailing. I hope you enjoy hearing both why and how I find these people (and this event!) so compelling and how I am able to fuel myself in my life's darker hours by focusing my thoughts on these heroes. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I return to the story of my solo round the world race and the exciting conclusion of Leg 3 from New Zealand around Cape Horn to the famous South American race stopover of Punta del Este in Uruguay. If you want to hear how close a yacht race can be after 3 weeks and over 6500Nm at sea- Tune in! I also talk radar watch methods for solo sailors, Code Zero's, yacht design for up wind sailing, autopilots & making school boy mistakes at crucial moments in your career! If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

This episode I start to discuss what pieces of equipment are 'Must Haves' for me at sea, practically and emotionally. Whilst shivering in freezing conditions in my new studio 'The Barn', I take you through the unique 'Deck-Assist Belt' I have designed and fashioned for myself over time & the outstanding, one-off, sailing knife kindly made for me by the incredible Rick Marchand of www.wildertools.com . I also talk about why a Gerber is better than a Leatherman and how a $5 torch saved two lives in the frigid waters of Newfoundland last year has therefore become part of my 'Super Hero-esque' utility belt! If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I take a look at the transferable skills sailors possess that could prove useful in the global crisis we are all now facing. With a unique outlook created by the unusual nature of sailing compared to all other sports, could offshore sailors prove to be a positive force during lockdown and beyond? I also answer a listener question and reveal my maximum recorded speeds & maximum day's distance sailed and discuss fluid intake at sea- I also give thanks to my first Patreon supporter- 'Sailing Starbuck!' If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I continue the story of my voyage solo across the Southern Ocean in the Velux 5 Oceans Race. In Episodes 6 & 7 of the Podcast I described the massive damage I suffered to my mainsail and how I struggled through to get it fixed and continue racing; Now I conclude the Southern Ocean Leg with the exciting dive towards the Horn followed by a major storm that promises to make my Horn rounding memorable if not traumatic! I also answer a listener question and explain the difference between an Open 60 & an IMOCA 60 and discuss the pitfalls and delights of having to prepare 5000 Calories a day for yourself offshore. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I take a look at shouting and the intimidation techniques often employed by skippers who feel it is OK to speak to their crew in a bullying and disrespectful manner. I uncover how damaging this is not only to the crew but also to the 'shouter' and the group dynamic on the boat. I suggest a few tactics that can lower the volume and how to get important actions completed without having to resort to verbal abuse. Sailing needs as much new blood and energy as possible in the 21st century- a review of 'traditional' communications methods is in my opinion, long overdue If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I describe how I overcame disaster and completed 36hrs of stitching to repair my badly damaged mainsail in terrible conditions close to 'Point Nemo' in the Southern Ocean. When physically and emotionally I am at the end of my tether an unexpected visitor turns my situation around and gives me the catalyst I need to come back fighting. I also answer a fantastic question sent in by a listener and discuss Spartan's entry in the Ocean Globe Race in 2023 If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

Halfway between New Zealand & Cape Horn I suffer critical damage to my mainsail between reefs 2 & 3, a 6 ft (2m) tear has opened up in the leech of my mainsail and unless it is fixed I cannot fly the sail and I will not only be last in the race but also in a very dangerous position 1000's of Miles form shore. Suddenly all thought of competition is forgotten and I am in survival mode as I struggle to deal emotionally and physically with a major repair on deck at 'Point Nemo' the most remote point on the planet in freezing conditions and heavy seas. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this Episode I take you through an overview of Southern Ocean sailing that can be applied to any wild stretch of ocean and any long passage made in those kind of conditions. Taking my first Southern Ocean leg on the Velux Race as a framework I share observations and learning that came from that 6500Nm, 40 day, solo voyage and the sights and sounds that stick with me from that first nervous foray into the wilder stretches of the world ocean. From escaping half acre kelp patches that stop the boat to coping with Christmas alone I explain what it is to sail around the bottom of the world for the fist time and share some of the uniques sights that only a handful of people get to see like the huge Albatrosses that hover over the boat for days on end. As always plenty of personal anecdotes are mixed in with real world practical experience that cannot be learnt in any text book anywhere. If you like offshore sailing or just need a little escape form reality, settle in with a hot mug of coffee and prepare to go on watch once again, with The Mariner. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I continue the story of my first serious solo offshore passage and delve into what makes Open 60's such serious offshore racing boats. I also discuss the near vertical learning curve I had to go through to tame the beast and the distressing results of the emotional pressure I had been under. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I discuss the start of the Velux 5 Oceans Solo Race Around the World. Safe to say it was not the slick operation you may have perceived if you were standing far enough away on start day. Nearly crashing into the Canary Islands because I did not set my alarm clock, a huge headsail tears loose and nearly dismasts the boat; close calls with big ships & learning to sleep in 20 minute bursts -it's all here! If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this episode I discuss how only a few days after getting back from sailing round the world with the Clipper Race I get the opportunity to go Round the World AGAIN: But this time Solo and on an Open 60. I outline the impossible task I was challenged with to get an older Open 60 that had not been offshore for a long while into fighting shape ready for another lap of the planet- on a very tight budget with almost no skilled assistance all in just matter of 8 weeks! If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon Site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris

In this first episode I talk about how I ended up starting a career at sea: it's not what you might expect! I was actually over 18 when the realization came that life ashore was not going to be enough for me. I talk about my first ship 'Ji Fung' a brigantine at the Hong Kong Outward Bound School that changed my world forever and set me off on this life of voyaging and adventure. If you have any questions you would like answering please send them to [email protected] If you recognize that creating this content requires hours of effort and you would like to help support for the equivalent of 25cents per episode please visit my Patreon site and select the $2 per month option. If you are looking to develop your seamanship skills and take your sailing knowledge & safety to a more advanced level I run an On-Line Seamanship Training Program which gives you access to four 30 minute videos each month that deep-dive into a broad range of subjects from Ropework to Naval Architecture, Electronic Navigation, Sail Trim, Composite Repair. The lessons come out once a week and the minimum commitment to have access to all of them is $20 per month. I you want to get out on the water on a race, regatta or training voyage you can book any number of trips in the Caribbean, American North East, Europe and even Transatlantic trips; year round with Spartan Ocean Racing & Training Thanks! Chris