Standing Before the Mast

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Meet Matthew Cohen, professional marine photographer, racing sailor, seasoned offshore sailor and sometimes glider pilot.In our conversation, Matt walks us through his early sailing experiences and his introduction to photography which began with a course at school that quickly became his chosen career path.Matt describes some early opportunities he had, such as working for Onne Van der Wal, as well as his own displays at art shows and festivals.In our talk we share our mutual love of helicopters and discuss the value they still offer for marine photographers. Matt also surprises me with the fact he's a Glider / Sailplane pilot in training and we go off on a brief aviation tangent.Matt has a robust stock photo collection and has commissioned works at offices in NYC. His ambition brought him to organize a very memorable few nights staying, and shooting photos in the remote Sakonnett Lighthouse.Matt beautifully weaves his work history with his sailing history, and lets us in on his approach to the delicate blend of art, business, and creativity.To learn more about Matt, check out his web page at: www.cohenphotography.com   From there you can also link to his social media sites and like and follow.Photo copyright Matthew Cohen Photographyhttps://cohenphotography.com/Original music for podcast composed by Nela Ruizhttps://www.nelaruizcomposer.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisheaton.substack.com

Kim Kavin began her journalism career at a newspaper nearly 25 years ago. While many local newspapers have either been bought out, consolidated or shut-down, Kim Kavin made a move to yachting journalism before many of those changes began to proliferate. Her initial move to yachting was well, to Yachting Magazine.Kim walks us through those early days, explaining how she wound up at Yachting and the many other publications with which she's played a major role. Those other publications include: Soundings, Passagemaker, Cruising World, Soundings Trade Only, Yachts International, and Boatsetter. Part of that discussion includes how she successfully navigated a world occupied predominately by men.Kim introduces me to the practice of “enthusiast oriented journalism”. Unlike in the world of Woodward & Bernstein, the approach to covering a story about a yacht or charter is a different, yet valued pursuit. There exists a delicate dance between the yachting businesses and the journalists that cover them. She also walks us through some of the structural changes that have taken place at magazines, and how she now works as a freelance journalist and writer.Beyond Kim's work in the world of yachting journalism, she also has a love and passion for dogs that runs deep.  That passion runs so deep, her curiosity about the history of her adopted dog led her on a personal journey to discover the origin of her beloved pet. This was documented in her book, Little Boy Blue, released in 2012. CNN did a story on the book that ultimately resulted in a kill shelter being closed down.Most of our talk is about boats, yachts and the behind the scenes of yachting journalism. The last 10 minutes or so are about our mutual love of dogs and her work in that field.You can learn more about Kim, her writing history, accolades and links to her writings and advocacy for freelancers at her web site: http://www.kimkavin.com/And next time you pick up a copy of Yachting, be sure to look for her name and you'll be able to put a voice to the words. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisheaton.substack.com

Dave Lussier is our guest for this episode. Dave is one of the founding members of the organization Better Bay Alliance. Dave walks us through how it came to be, what they've done so far, and their ambitions plans for the future.Here's the mission statement from their website:“The Better Bay Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the boating experience on Rhode Island waters by identifying, communicating, and promoting safety, accessibility, and cooperation while sharing our wonderful natural resources. Through collaboration with governmental, commercial, and private stakeholders, the Better Bay Alliance strives to be a resource for all who wish to enjoy the Rhode Island waters.”Learn more and follow them at: https://betterbayalliance.org/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisheaton.substack.com

I'm joined by Capt. Eric Pfirrmann from Save the Bay, and Ted Romanosky, owner of the 1940 classic wooden schooner ‘Good Fortune'. It's our seasonal laid-back gathering over beer and provisions.We recap our collective summer experiences and observations in an informal setting with an even less formal outcome. Occasionally, one of us expresses an opinion or two.We cover everything from the annual Save The Bay Swim, to wood boat repair, boating safety, lighthouse history, and even some personal thoughts on must-have galley equipment and our favorite meals to have aboard.Happy holidays to all, I'll be back in the new year with some interesting and engaging conversations with people working behind the scenes, and those making a difference in the maritime community. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisheaton.substack.com

The Schurmann family set sail in 1984 and became the first Brazilian family to circumnavigate the world. The design and build of Kat is the culmination of that initial voyage and others on previous boats the family has owned.Our talk begins with a tour of the boat and Wilhelm highlighting many of the unique design features. Kat serves as a floating platform for Voice Of The Oceans. Voice Of The Oceans is part of the Schurmann Family initiative in partnership with the UN. The goal is to document and highlight the problem with plastics in the oceans – particularly single-use plastics – and work to find alternative solutions at the source. They host scientists and researchers aboard on segments of their voyages.Kat was designed and built to have the least amount of impact on the environment as she travels. As we learn through our tour of the boat, Wilhelm points out their onboard trash compactor, glass crusher, and a marine sanitation system that rivals and sometimes outperforms municipal systems. After the tour, Wilhelm and I sat down at the main salon table and talked about the history of the family's sailing adventures on previous boats and the mission of Voice Of The Oceans.We also get to hear a bit of Wilhelm's background. When I first met him aboard at the Newport International Boat Show, I assumed he had an engineering background as he explained all the systems and what went into their development. Turns out he's not an engineer by trade, but a professional athlete – a 5-time Brazilian Overall Champion in windsurfing! But one thing is for certain – he knows every aspect of all the systems inside and out.While they were in Newport for the boat show, they also participated in a beach clean-up with Clean Ocean Access. They've since left Newport and I believe are now in Bermuda. You can learn more about Kat, the crew, their mission and follow along at: voiceoftheoceans.comCustom music for podcast composed by: nelaruizcomposer.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisheaton.substack.com

In this episode we get to know Ian Ridgeway. Ian, along with Casey Blum are co-founders of the FUEL Program. FUEL stands for: Foundation for Underway Experimental Learning.The topsail schooner Shenandoah is at the center of the FUEL program. Shenandoah was conceived, designed and built by Captain Robert Douglas and she has a long history of providing memorable sailing experiences for thousands of people. Lead by Ian, Casey, and team which includes captains, crew members and voyage guides, Shenandoah now operates as a non-profit educational sailing vessel.Ian has a degree in Environmental Studies and a US Coast Guard 500 ton ocean master's license. For more information, you can visit https://www.fuelprogram.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I sit down with Newport International Boat Show Director Lisa Knowles and Marketing Director Jocelyn Emory.The show - the 51st - will take place September 15th through the 18th, 2022 located at the Newport Yachting Center Marina in downtown Newport, Rhode Island.Among this year's expanded offerings, Lisa and Jocelyn tell us about several new events, educational opportunities and giveaways.The Newport for New Products awards program is of course back and will be showcasing new boats and boating products making their US debut.There's a People's Choice Award for Best Overall Boat Debut which is chosen by attendees prior to the show via online voting. The winners of that will be announced on Friday Sept. 17th of the show.There are on-the-water training sessions for both power boaters and sailors as well as women-only dedicated courses.New to the show this year, the vessel Kat will be appearing with the organization 'Voice of the Oceans' who are committed to ridding the oceans of plastic pollution.You may also visit the sailing vessel Maiden at the show. Some of my more astute listeners may recall us covering this with guest, Erica Lush, when we talked about her involvement with the program. The Maiden program inspires women and girls all over the world; raises funds for girls' educational programs around the world; and shows, by example, what girls can achieve if they embrace STEM subjects in school.Also getting a lot of attention will be a dedicated booth featuring 12 popular YouTube influencers, hosts and personalities. Just a few of the popular names mentioned were "Acorn to Arabella", "Captain Q Yacht Hunter" and Louis Sauzedde from "Tips From A Shipwright". Running concurrently with the show, the 12 Metre Yacht Club with the North American fleet of 12 Metre Yachts and Ida Lewis Yacht Club will be hosting the 12 Metre Championships September 16-18. The final day will feature the fleet parading through Newport Harbor at 10am and the Yachting Center is welcoming all attendees to the marina docks to view the event.They've packed a lot into this show beyond the already robust list of boat builders, product manufacturers and services on display. And with a bit of planning, you can really get a lot out of this show.We also discuss the best way to get your tickets - in advance on their website Newport International Boat Show Offical Site - Newport, Rhode Island (newportboatshow.com) the best way to get to the show, and where to park. There's a bit of inside baseball in here as we also discuss the work that goes on behind the scenes.We cover all of this and much more, and I thank Lisa and Jocelyn for being so generous with their time so close to the start of the show.For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: Newport International Boat Show Offical Site - Newport, Rhode Island (newportboatshow.com)Original music for podcast composed by Nela Ruiz nelaruizcomposer.com Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we hear from Mike Patterson, Whitney Curtin, Aaron 'Ike' Isaacson and Steve Baskis about Sail To Win. They formed Sail To Win "to honor and empower wounded veterans, first responders, and people that have served their community with disabilities by training, educating, and competing in sailing competitions around the globe. We bring adaptive and able-bodied athletes together, conduct training events, and facilitate opportunities for technology experts to assist service members with solutions that will help them become highly competitive in sailing and increase their everyday quality of life."Learn more about Sail To Win at: www.sailtowin.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Christopher Pastore is Associate Professor of History at the University at Albany, State University of New York.Focusing on early American environmental history, his most recent book, titled Between Land and Sea: The Atlantic Coast and the Transformation of New England (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2014), examines the Narragansett Bay watershed from first European settlement through the early nineteenth century. As a journalist, he has contributed articles on sailing or related topics to the New York Times, Boat International, Cruising World, Newport Life, Offshore, Restoration Quarterly, Real Simple, and Sailing World, where he worked as Associate Editor. He also served as Editor of American Sailor and Junior Sailor, the official publications of U.S. Sailing, the sport's national governing body. In 2005 (paperback 2013), he published a biography of Nathanael Herreshoff titled Temple to the Wind: The Story of America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Masterpiece, Reliance (Lyons Press, 2005).Christopher Pastore holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in American History and M.S. in college teaching from the University of New Hampshire as well as a B.A. in Biology from Bowdoin College and M.F.A. in nonfiction Creative Writing from the New School for Social Research, where he has taught courses in the Writing Program for fourteen years. During the 2018-2019 academic year he was a Marie Curie COFUND Fellow at the Trinity College Dublin Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute.Learn more about Christopher at: www.christopherpastore.comChristopher's faculty page: https://www.albany.edu/history/faculty/christopher-pastoreYou may order his book Between Land and Sea at: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674281417Original music for podcast composed by Nela Ruiz Music Soundtrack Composer For Films | Nela Ruiz Music Composer (nelaruizcomposer.com) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Meet Nautical Author and Historian Eric Wiberg.Born in New York in 1970, Eric Wiberg is a citizen of Sweden and the US. He is the author of over 20 books on maritime history - particularly in the Bahamas where he grew up. He left the Bahamas at 13 for boarding schools in New England and enrolled at Boston College in 1989. He was hired to race to Bermuda in 1989, and in 1991 sailed as mate from Antigua to Belgium to attend Harris Manchester College, Oxford. In 1993 he self-published five collections of writings and set out on a voyage from Panama to New Zealand on a 68' wooden boat, becoming captain in Galapagos. A year of travel was the basis for a coming-of-age memoir.Eric earned his US Coast Guard 100-ton captain's license in 1995. He moved to Singapore to operate a commercial fleet of tanker ships. After three years he returned to Newport where he would write off-season and deliver yachts to and from the Caribbean from spring to fall. After his fourth round-world trip, he enrolled at Roger Williams School of Law on half-scholarship and passed the bar in 2005. Eric also earned a master's degree in Marine affairs from University of Rhode Island. He has operated 120 vessels over 75,000 miles. He's sailed to or from Bermuda over 30 times and sailed across two oceans.Eric has had stints with Titan Salvage and Overseas Salvage in Freeport, Bahamas. And in 2010 he joined Tradewinds, the Norwegian shipping publication. From 2013 to 2019 Eric was in marketing for McAllister Towing in Manhattan, where he lived until 2019. He is on the New York Yacht Club Library Committee and the Steamship Historical Society board.Eric has published over 100 articles, addressed 50 international audiences, and appeared on TV or film 7 times for audiences in Spain, France, Norway, and for the BBC. He has also been featured in Vanity Fair. US Congress leveraged his research in November 2019 to issue medals to 10 US Navy aviators for the sinking of U-84. …Eric is active on Instagram where you can find him @ericwibergAnd be sure to check out his web site at ericwiberg.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sarah is a commercial fisherman with a BS in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island; and a MSc in Nature, Society, and Environmental Policy from University of Oxford in England.Her interest in fishing really began when she was teaching in Valparasio, Chile. Sarah explains how this interest came about and its connection to certain types of fishing here on Narragansett Bay.Sarah is the author of two books: Rhode Island's Shellfish Heritage: An Ecological History - published in 2015; and Simmering the Sea: Diversity Cookery to Sustain Our Fisheries - published in 2018, which she co-authored with Kate Masury and Marie-Joelle Rochet. We mention Kate in this podcast as she was a previous guest when I had her on to talk about Eating with The Ecosystem - which was founded by Sarah.Sarah has also authored and co-authored numerous reports and peer-reviewed articles, as well as had her work appear in 41N Magazine, ECO-RI News, Commercial Fisheries News, Fisherman's Voice and the Providence Journal. And she's given a Ted talk presentation.Beyond her rich academic background, Sarah has fished waters as far away as Alaska to right back here in Rhode Island - both as a deckhand and an owner/operator. She built her own 19' wooden skiff; has written grants for Rhode Island-based fisheries and science organizations; and is fluent in Spanish having spent five years living in Chile, Honduras and Argentina. From 2015 to 2018, Sarah coordinated the Resilient Fisheries RI project which began as a climate change adaptation effort and evolved into a full strategic planning initiative for Rhode Island commercial fishermen.We also talk about the impact the planned offshore wind farms might have on commercial fishing in our waters.For more information on some of the things we talk about in the podcast, check out:eatingwiththeecosystem.org and resilientfisheriesri.orgOriginal music for the podcast composed by Nela Ruiz. @nelamusica on Instagram. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our guest for this one is Capt. Eric Pfirrmann, Lead Captain for Save the Bay here in Rhode Island. As some of you more astute listeners may recall, Eric was my first ever guest when I embarked upon this experimental journey.We begin with an update on the Save The Bay fleet, and Eric brings us up to speed on their latest addition, as well as some of the future roles he foresees that craft playing at Save The Bay. He gives us a bit of background on the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the influence it's had on the seals we see here in Narragansett Bay. That of course leads us to a discussion of the current seal watch tours Save The Bay operates. Eric tells us everything we need to know to have an enjoyable trip with his team - good binoculars are a plus - and how to dress and just be prepared in general.Finally, he talks about the annual Save The Bay Swim with some insight into the planning and logistics that go into organizing this event. You can learn more and book seal tours by visiting SaveBay.org. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ryan Rossi – Menemsha Harbormaster Meet Ryan Rossi. Ryan is the Menemsha Harbormaster. Menemsha is an historic fishing village in the town of Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard.Ryan gives us all the crucial information you need to know as a recreational boater interested in visiting the port. He explains how to go about reserving your spot - don't just show up - and the feeding frenzy that takes place at the beginning of May when they open reservations. He also suggests a certain level of proficiency required in handling your vessel before attempting to dock there, and why that's important.Ryan grew up in Chilmark and was always on and around the water for both recreation and work. Following school, he had a ten-year career in the US Coast Guard. In a fortunate set of circumstances, Ryan wound up stationed back in his hometown at Coast Guard Station Menemsha. It was while he was there when he learned the local Harbormaster was considering retirement. That began a transition which led him to his current position.This episode is packed with good information about a very unique harbor. Here are a few links mentioned in our talk:www.chilmarkma.gov/harbormasterwww.dockwa.comwww.mvfishermenspreservationtrust.org______Original music composed for us by Nela Ruiz - @nelamusica on Instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do you do following retirement from a successful career of 26 years in the Navy which began at the US Naval Academy? You enroll at the International Yacht Restoration School - otherwise known as IYRS School of Technology & Trades - in Newport, Rhode Island where you acquire a whole new set of skills in marine systems. You and your wife then buy a catamaran, sell everything you own, move your family aboard and go cruising. That's what Glenn Robbins and his family did. Glenn was a classmate of mine from high school who I'd not seen in over 30 years when, in the summer of 2019, he walked into our shop. Glenn and his family had arrived in Newport on their new-to-them Leopard 46 catamaran.As you'll hear from our talk, Glenn has an infectious level of enthusiasm and energy which he channeled into impressive levels of preparation and planning. He also offers us a dose of reality about living and cruising aboard - and it's not all cocktails and sunsets. He takes us on their journey from purchasing the boat in Florida and bringing it up to Newport. They then brought it down to Virginia where they joined the Salty Dog Rally to the Caribbean. After some time in the islands, they made the passage across to Panama and through the canal. They cruised on the western side of Panama, and then transited back through the canal where their ultimate destination was Florida. All of this takes place while a global pandemic was unfolding. Glenn gives us a detailed picture on everything from solving problems and repairs, to the history of the places they visit and the excitement of fishing off a catamaran.If you're considering setting off on your boat for an extended period of time, I think this is a worthwhile listen. You can learn more about their adventure by visiting www.svfearless.com And for more information about IYRS School of Technology & Trades, visit www.iyrs.eduPhoto: courtesy of Glenn RobbinsLocation: Panama Canal, Southbound in Mira Flores Locks 1 February 2021Original music composed by: Nela Ruizwww.instagram.com/nelamusica/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Meet writer Wendy Mitman Clarke. Wendy is a veteran writer and editor of sailing publications with a career that spans over 30 years. If you've ever picked up a copy of Soundings Magazine, Cruising World or Good Old Boat, it's likely you've either read her work, or something she's had a hand in editing. She's a Recipient of many awards from the Boating Writers International, and the Society of Professional Journalists. In addition to her writing, Wendy and her husband set off sailing for 4 years with their two young children - and a dog who joined them in the last year of the trip. Wendy used the opportunity to weave their experiences with her career through a regular feature which appeared in Cruising World. That feature was called Osprey's Flight. In addition to sharing stories of their travels, she used the space to de-mystify some misconceptions about cruising and living aboard a boat with a family. In short, she offers us a dose of reality to go along with the dream. In our talk, Wendy shares many tips and lessons she learned. We talk about everything from home schooling and medical considerations, to re-entering a land based life after 4 years aboard. You can learn more about Wendy and follow links to her writing and professional associations by visiting www.wendymitmanclarke.com/ Original music composed by: Nela Ruizwww.instagram.com/nelamusica/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode we hear from John Taft about rum running along the coast of Rhode Island during prohibition. Like me, John is a bit of a history enthusiast and when he discovered that the boat that he and his partners had purchased to run mansion tours turned out to be an actual former rum runner, he went down many rabbit holes researching not only the history of the boat, but the history of all the rum running activities off the coast of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay and beyond.One of the things he discovered was that the boat they had refurbished was the actual boat that was in involved in one of the most horrific and deadly conflicts with the Coast Guard during prohibition.In our talk John weaves the story of this deadly event - also known as the Black Duck Massacre - with the history, routes, logistics and characters involved in the various enterprises.John also provides us with a wealth of information on the design and construction of the various boats that were used in the liquor smuggling operations in the mid to late 1920's. Near the end of the podcast we talk a little bit about a documentary film he is involved in producing. As he mentions in our talk, the production is on hold at the moment due to covid, but you can sign up to receive updates on their web site: black-duck.org - as well as connect with them on social media.Original music composed by: Nela Ruiz www.instagram.com/nelamusica/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

My guest for this episode is professional sailor, Erica Lush.Erica began sailing at a young age with positive influence from her parents, and followed her passion sailing competitively for her high school and university teams.Erica is also involved in the Maiden Factor. Maiden carried the first all-female crew to sail around the world when Tracey Edwards skippered her in the 1989/1990 Whitbread Round The world Race. Having fallen in disrepair from neglect, Tracy found Maiden in 2015 and set about raising funds to bring her back. Erica talks about her involvement in sailing on Maiden with the foundation in a professional capacity, as well as the mission of The Maiden Factor. We hear about her experiences bringing Maiden through both the Panama and Suez canals in the same year, handling repairs underway and the value of having a bell pepper aboard.She also gives us the background and plan forward for the program, and how COVID has had an impact on that.For many summers Erica has been involved with the 12 Meter charter fleet here in Newport. Last summer Eric captained the 12 meter Weatherly - which had recently sold - and she shares some of her experiences with us. With COVID placing a lot of programs on hold, Erica has delved into the world of double-handed sailing and she shares some insights about teamwork and boat management when there’s just two of you.

Meet Kelsy Patnaude. Kelsy is a Visual-Artist with an M.F.A. in Visual Art from Lesley University of Art and Design, Cambridge, MA. which she earned in 2019. Kelsy also has a B.A. in Studio Art and a Minor in Art History from Salve Regina University here in Newport which she earned in 2012. A professional sailor, Kelsy came to sailing a bit later than some, but has had many great experiences including sailing on a classic gaff-rigged Colin Archer out of Falmouth in the UK; sailing as crew on a classic 12 meter in Newport; sailing aboard classics in the Caribbean; and most recently, racing aboard a Shields she acquired with some friends.Kelsy explains how sailing, the sea and gender roles influenced her art - and ultimately her thesis. That thesis is 'Thalassic: Women, Gender, and the Sublime in Relation to Marine Art.' All of this can be found on her web site kelsypatnaude.com I also encourage you to check out her Instagram account - @kelsypatnaude - which features not only some of her art and photography, but also some of her creative adventures such as being towed on a surfboard from the topping lift of a classic yacht as it sails along, and being towed on a surfboard by a horse running on the beach. Kelsy explains how she conjured up both of these adventures and convinced others to go along with it.

Meet Kate Wilson Somers, Sailor, Sailing Instructor and Entrepreneur. A life-long sailor, and sailing instructor, Kate has also been involved with the Volvo Ocean Race as support crew for Team Vestas 11th Hour Racing, the America's Cup with Oracle Team USA in 2012-2013, and The Rolex Big Boat Series in San Francisco.At the 24th Annual Providence Boat Show (2017), the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association recognized Kate as the Rhode Island Boater of the Year. Kate received that For the work she did to transform youth sailing programs to keep kids engaged, gain experience on some big boats, and boost and diversify the enrollment in these programs. In accepting the award, Kate chose to dedicate it to all the volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure these programs reach as many as possible.Kate is the Founder & Chief Designer of a marketing and web design company called RisingT Media and Marketing. Kate has worked with many clients including The Herreshoff Marine Museum. Storm Trysail Club, National Sailing Hall of Fame, Confident Captain, and many more. Learn more about Kate by visiting her website: risingt.com

Our guest for this episode is Charlie Doane. Charlie is a sailor and sailing journalist. He’s currently the cruising editor for SAIL magazine. Charlie has been writing professionally since 1986 for many publications including New England Off Shore and Cruising World.He’s written two books: The Modern Cruising Sailboat, and The Sea Is Not Full.Charlie is currently working on a new book, a non-fiction biography about Thomas Tangvald - son of Peter Tangvald well known blue water sailor. Charlie gives us a bit of a teaser into the fascinating and tragic story of Thomas Tangvald's life.In addition to his writing, he’s owned four boats:- Crazy Horse, a Pearson Albert 35 yawl- Sophie, a Goldin Hind 31- Lunacy, a Tanton 39 cutter- Lunacy (his current boat) a Boreal 47He has an impressive sailing resume featuring 100,000 miles offshore, 7 Transatlantic passages, and multiple singlehanded passages between the West Indies, Bermuda, and New England.We cover all this and much more in the podcast.Learn more about Charlie and follow along on his web site: Wavetrain.net

Our guest for this episode is Sailor, Author and Broadcaster Tom Cunliffe.Tom has written for many major sailing publications and currently works with Sailing Today and Classic Boat in the UK. He is the author of over two dozen books - notably the Shell Channel Pilot, Celestial Navigation, and Topsail & Battleaxe.Topsail & Battleaxe tells the tale of the time he retraced the path of the Vikings by sailing his Bristol Channel Pilot cutter, Hirta, from Norway to Iceland, Greenland and on to Newfoundland.Topsail & Battleaxe has now been made available as an audiobook and may be purchased directly from his website: tomcunliffe.comIn addition to his writing and sailing, Tom has been a presenter on a few TV shows in the UK - Boat Yard and another called The Boats That Built Britain which aired on BBC2As we learn in this Podcast, the entire series of Boat Yard is now available on YouTube.Tom also has a YouTube channel with many great videos offering tips, advice and tricks to improve your skills. All of these links can be found off of his website - tomcunliffe.com The website features a new Member’s Club where one can join for a very modest charge and gain access to much more content, as well as participate in an engaging forum.Tom is a real ambassador for boating and has an infectious enthusiasm! He’s a champion of helping the average person of whatever means get out on the water and safely hone their skills.

Our guest for this episode is Sailor, Author and Broadcaster Tom Cunliffe.Tom has written for many major sailing publications and currently works with Sailing Today and Classic Boat in the UK. He is the author of over two dozen books - notably the Shell Channel Pilot, Celestial Navigation, and Topsail & Battleaxe.Topsail & Battleaxe tells the tale of the time he retraced the path of the Vikings by sailing his Bristol Channel Pilot cutter, Hirta, from Norway to Iceland, Greenland and on to Newfoundland.Topsail & Battleaxe has now been made available as an audiobook and may be purchased directly from his website: tomcunliffe.comIn addition to his writing and sailing, Tom has been a presenter on a few TV shows in the UK - Boat Yard and another called The Boats That Built Britain which aired on BBC2As we learn in this Podcast, the entire series of Boat Yard is now available on YouTube.Tom also has a YouTube channel with many great videos offering tips, advice and tricks to improve your skills. All of these links can be found off of his website - tomcunliffe.com The website features a new Member’s Club where one can join for a very modest charge and gain access to much more content, as well as participate in an engaging forum.Tom is a real ambassador for boating and has an infectious enthusiasm! He’s a champion of helping the average person of whatever means get out on the water and safely hone their skills.

My guest for this episode is Marcello of La Gondola Providence, Inc. Marcello is the second owner of the business who came to the job during his college years. He’s very well traveled and extremely knowledgeable about the culture, history and construction of the Venetian Gondola. Marcello gives us his history with the company, how he met the original owners, and where he’s taken it. In addition to the experience on the water and the construction of the boats, we also talk about the singing and musical components to this experience.You can learn more about Marcello and his gifted team by visiting gondolari.com

My guest for this episode is Marcello of La Gondola Providence, Inc. Marcello is the second owner of the business who came to the job during his college years. He’s very well traveled and extremely knowledgeable about the culture, history and construction of the Venetian Gondola. Marcello gives us his history with the company, how he met the original owners, and where he’s taken it. In addition to the experience on the water and the construction of the boats, we also talk about the singing and musical components to this experience.You can learn more about Marcello and his gifted team by visiting gondolari.com

This is a bit of a diversion from the normal podcast episodes I do. Given all that’s going on right now, I thought we’d check in with Capt. Tim Mills, Harbormaster for the City of Newport, and find out what to expect when we take to the water this summer. Tim gives us the latest information on quarantine rules for boaters, restrictions on use of facilities, launches and boat ramps.Tim reminds us that the City of Newport and his office is fully in sync with the direction that is coming from the Governor's office, and as such, some of what he says here might change or be extended.If you’re interested in learning more about Tim’s career and his personal and professional experiences, feel free to check out episode 20 from July 1st of last year.

This is a bit of a diversion from the normal podcast episodes I do. Given all that’s going on right now, I thought we’d check in with Capt. Tim Mills, Harbormaster for the City of Newport, and find out what to expect when we take to the water this summer. Tim gives us the latest information on quarantine rules for boaters, restrictions on use of facilities, launches and boat ramps.Tim reminds us that the City of Newport and his office is fully in sync with the direction that is coming from the Governor's office, and as such, some of what he says here might change or be extended.If you’re interested in learning more about Tim’s career and his personal and professional experiences, feel free to check out episode 20 from July 1st of last year.

Latest podcast available now. Meet Kate Masury, Program Director for the non-profit Eating With The Ecosystem. If you love seafood or just want to expand your knowledge of what’s available to us, this podcast is for you. Eating With The Ecosystem was founded in 2014 with a mission to “promote a place-based approach to sustaining New England’s wild seafood, through flourishing food webs, healthy habitats, and short, adaptive seafood supply chains.”Kate tells us about the cookbook the organization has for sale, the dinners they host, their food boat mobile seafood kiosk, and explains their Citizen Scientist and Eat Like a Fish programs. We also talk about the benefits of eating a variety of local species, focusing on a place based selection of seafood and the importance of supporting local fisherman.Be sure to visit www.eatingwiththeecosystem.org to learn more.

Latest podcast available now. Meet Kate Masury, Program Director for the non-profit Eating With The Ecosystem. If you love seafood or just want to expand your knowledge of what’s available to us, this podcast is for you. Eating With The Ecosystem was founded in 2014 with a mission to “promote a place-based approach to sustaining New England’s wild seafood, through flourishing food webs, healthy habitats, and short, adaptive seafood supply chains.”Kate tells us about the cookbook the organization has for sale, the dinners they host, their food boat mobile seafood kiosk, and explains their Citizen Scientist and Eat Like a Fish programs. We also talk about the benefits of eating a variety of local species, focusing on a place based selection of seafood and the importance of supporting local fisherman.Be sure to visit www.eatingwiththeecosystem.org to learn more.

Daniel Forster is a world renowned marine photographer who has had his work appear in every major yachting magazine in Europe, the USA, New Zealand and Australia. Two of his images have appeared on the cover of Timemagazine - once in 1987 featuring Dennis Conner; then again in 1995 featuring Team New Zealand.Born in Switzerland, photography was introduced to Daniel at a young age through his family. Daniel attended a technical school for photography that offered an apprenticeship program which provided one of many early steps that lead to his career as a freelance photographer.Daniel has covered every America’s Cup race since 1977, and will continue this streak by covering the next America’s Cup Races in New Zealand in 2021. Daniel has also photographed the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race starts and finishes, as well as sailed on the Uruguay to England leg of the Whitbread in 1986 aboard the UBS Switzerland maxi yacht where he served as both crew member and photographer.In addition to covering racing, Daniel’s work has taken him to Cape Horn, The Beagle Channel, the Galapagos and the Amazon. He’s also been commissioned by owners of yachts to document in book format their participation in major sailing events.We talk about all this and more. Daniel has a great sense of humor and wonderful approach to his pursuit. Learn more by visiting his website - danielforster.com He also has active instagram and facebook profiles. You may find links to those accounts from his facebook page.

Daniel Forster is a world renowned marine photographer who has had his work appear in every major yachting magazine in Europe, the USA, New Zealand and Australia. Two of his images have appeared on the cover of Timemagazine - once in 1987 featuring Dennis Conner; then again in 1995 featuring Team New Zealand.Born in Switzerland, photography was introduced to Daniel at a young age through his family. Daniel attended a technical school for photography that offered an apprenticeship program which provided one of many early steps that lead to his career as a freelance photographer.Daniel has covered every America’s Cup race since 1977, and will continue this streak by covering the next America’s Cup Races in New Zealand in 2021. Daniel has also photographed the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race starts and finishes, as well as sailed on the Uruguay to England leg of the Whitbread in 1986 aboard the UBS Switzerland maxi yacht where he served as both crew member and photographer.In addition to covering racing, Daniel’s work has taken him to Cape Horn, The Beagle Channel, the Galapagos and the Amazon. He’s also been commissioned by owners of yachts to document in book format their participation in major sailing events.We talk about all this and more. Daniel has a great sense of humor and wonderful approach to his pursuit. Learn more by visiting his website - danielforster.com He also has active instagram and facebook profiles. You may find links to those accounts from his facebook page.

Nat Benjamin, along with his partner Ross Gannon, and a talented crew have built over 70 boats - mostly of his design - and repaired and rebuilt many others. A visit to the Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway is a step back in time. It’s a place where classic wood boats are restored, repaired and built new using nothing but traditional materials and methods. The people who work there have a special appreciation for craftsmanship. In a world where material things are designed on computers, assembled by robots or punched out of a mold with little human contact, it’s refreshing to visit a place where beautiful boats are crafted by hand from design to launch.The Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway has featured prominently in magazines such as: Classic Boat, Cruising World, Wooden Boat, Sail, Men’s Journal, Soundings and Architectural Digest. They have been featured in print news stores from the Vineyard Gazette and Cape Cod Times to the Boston Globe and The Wall Street Journal.

Nat Benjamin, along with his partner Ross Gannon, and a talented crew have built over 70 boats - mostly of his design - and repaired and rebuilt many others. A visit to the Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway is a step back in time. It’s a place where classic wood boats are restored, repaired and built new using nothing but traditional materials and methods. The people who work there have a special appreciation for craftsmanship. In a world where material things are designed on computers, assembled by robots or punched out of a mold with little human contact, it’s refreshing to visit a place where beautiful boats are crafted by hand from design to launch.The Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway has featured prominently in magazines such as: Classic Boat, Cruising World, Wooden Boat, Sail, Men’s Journal, Soundings and Architectural Digest. They have been featured in print news stores from the Vineyard Gazette and Cape Cod Times to the Boston Globe and The Wall Street Journal.

This one’s for the adrenaline junkies out there, present company included. My guest is Dave Lussier. Dave is a long-time competitive multi-hull sailor of catamarans and trimarans who has recently found a new passion: Blokarting or land yacht racing. Blokarts come from New Zealand and haven’t caught on in the US as they have in other countries. A Blokart is a 3-wheeled kart with a free-standing sail that resembles one from a windsurfer, and is often sailed on dry lake beds, beaches at low tide, or abandoned runways. Dave talks us through how he got into the sport, and what it’s like to sail one of these. He also tells the story of how he came to be the current speed co-record holder along with seasoned Blokart racer Scott Young, a record they set together while racing at Ivanpah - the dry lake bed in California’s Mojave desert. The speed they achieved at that event was a staggering 77.7mph! If any of this interests you, or you just want to understand more about Blokarting, you can easily find videos on youtube, or visit the official Blokart website at blokart.comAnd if you’re on social media, Dave has a facebook presence for those in the New England area who want to get involved. That group is called New England Land Sailors.And finally, in an unrelated coincidence, Dave was my second podcast guest in a row who's been to the North Pole. Capt. Breezy went on an expedition, and Dave went on a nuclear submarine in 2001 and 2003.

This one’s for the adrenaline junkies out there, present company included. My guest is Dave Lussier. Dave is a long-time competitive multi-hull sailor of catamarans and trimarans who has recently found a new passion: Blokarting or land yacht racing. Blokarts come from New Zealand and haven’t caught on in the US as they have in other countries. A Blokart is a 3-wheeled kart with a free-standing sail that resembles one from a windsurfer, and is often sailed on dry lake beds, beaches at low tide, or abandoned runways. Dave talks us through how he got into the sport, and what it’s like to sail one of these. He also tells the story of how he came to be the current speed co-record holder along with seasoned Blokart racer Scott Young, a record they set together while racing at Ivanpah - the dry lake bed in California’s Mojave desert. The speed they achieved at that event was a staggering 77.7mph! If any of this interests you, or you just want to understand more about Blokarting, you can easily find videos on youtube, or visit the official Blokart website at blokart.comAnd if you’re on social media, Dave has a facebook presence for those in the New England area who want to get involved. That group is called New England Land Sailors.And finally, in an unrelated coincidence, Dave was my second podcast guest in a row who's been to the North Pole. Capt. Breezy went on an expedition, and Dave went on a nuclear submarine in 2001 and 2003.

My guest for this episode is Capt. Breezy Grenier. Capt. Breezy served in the US Coast Guard, has degrees in Geology and Geological Oceanography, and minors in Marine Biology and Marine Archeology.In addition to being a licensed captain, she’s a scuba instructor, snowboard instructor, sailor, cook, surfer, teacher, lecturer and world traveler.She’s sailed to Bermuda, and by the time this podcast is published, she will have completed a transatlantic and the Fastnet Race.We talk about her travels, past expeditions and plans for future ones, as well as some of the educational models she’s created. Those include Scientists are Super Hero's and Eco Elders.To learn more about her and some of the things we talk about in this podcast, visit her website: breezyseas.com

My guest for this episode is Capt. Breezy Grenier. Capt. Breezy served in the US Coast Guard, has degrees in Geology and Geological Oceanography, and minors in Marine Biology and Marine Archeology.In addition to being a licensed captain, she’s a scuba instructor, snowboard instructor, sailor, cook, surfer, teacher, lecturer and world traveler.She’s sailed to Bermuda, and by the time this podcast is published, she will have completed a transatlantic and the Fastnet Race.We talk about her travels, past expeditions and plans for future ones, as well as some of the educational models she’s created. Those include Scientists are Super Hero's and Eco Elders.To learn more about her and some of the things we talk about in this podcast, visit her website: breezyseas.com

This is a special excerpt from a much longer episode which will be published at a later date. In this conversation, Joe shares a bit about his involvement with the 12 Metre Worlds currently taking place in Newport, Rhode Island. Joe talks about his involvement, the impact of the Warrior Sailing Project, and the overall atmosphere of the event. Joe is also my first repeat guest.

This is a special excerpt from a much longer episode which will be published at a later date. In this conversation, Joe shares a bit about his involvement with the 12 Metre Worlds currently taking place in Newport, Rhode Island. Joe talks about his involvement, the impact of the Warrior Sailing Project, and the overall atmosphere of the event. Joe is also my first repeat guest.

Learn about the person in charge of the crew that keeps the City of Newport's harbor assets in top form. Capt. Tim Mills has spent his life on the water which has included, sailing and racing with family and friends, working on a NOAA ship and owning and operating his own boat and mooring business - where he also wound up getting involved in marine archeology. Now the full time Harbormaster for the City of Newport, RI, Tim joined me to talk about all of that as well as get some insight and his perspective on some of the changes that we’ve seen around Newport Harbor over the years.

Learn about the person in charge of the crew that keeps the City of Newport's harbor assets in top form. Capt. Tim Mills has spent his life on the water which has included, sailing and racing with family and friends, working on a NOAA ship and owning and operating his own boat and mooring business - where he also wound up getting involved in marine archeology. Now the full time Harbormaster for the City of Newport, RI, Tim joined me to talk about all of that as well as get some insight and his perspective on some of the changes that we’ve seen around Newport Harbor over the years.

My guest for this episode is Andy Green. Some of you may recognize Andy’s voice - particularly if you followed the Volvo Ocean Race visit in Newport - as he was the commentator for that event. Andy has also been a commentator for the America’s Cup World Series and the London 2012 Olympics. In addition to his role as commentator, Andy is an active life long sailor who will be participating in the 12 Metre Worlds this summer in Newport. And like a few other past guests, Andy arrived to record the podcast fresh off a night of racing Shields in Narragansett Bay.We cracked open a few cold ones and talked about all of that and more. And at one point my wife chimes in with a few good questions that range from the technical aspects of his role, to what it’s like as a fellow expat living in Newport. You can learn more about Andy and his work by visiting: http://www.britishracinggreen.co.uk

My guest for this episode is Andy Green. Some of you may recognize Andy’s voice - particularly if you followed the Volvo Ocean Race visit in Newport - as he was the commentator for that event. Andy has also been a commentator for the America’s Cup World Series and the London 2012 Olympics. In addition to his role as commentator, Andy is an active life long sailor who will be participating in the 12 Metre Worlds this summer in Newport. And like a few other past guests, Andy arrived to record the podcast fresh off a night of racing Shields in Narragansett Bay.We cracked open a few cold ones and talked about all of that and more. And at one point my wife chimes in with a few good questions that range from the technical aspects of his role, to what it’s like as a fellow expat living in Newport. You can learn more about Andy and his work by visiting: http://www.britishracinggreen.co.uk

My guest for this episode is former New York Times columnist Barbara Lloyd. Barbara covered Sailing, Skiing and other sports, as well as writing a gear column for the New York Times.But Barbara has humble roots here at home with the Newport Daily News. It was at the Newport Daily News where she began as a cub reporter. Barbara honed her skills covering the America’s Cup races and interviewing sailors, including Ted Turner and Dennis Conner.Her nomadic lifestyle, free spirited nature and hard work allowed her to live in and travel to spectacular places around the world. At a time when men dominated journalism, Barbara ‘leaned in’ to a man's world and faced few obstacles to her success. Her journalistic integrity and determination earned her the respect of her editors and peers alike.We had a great chat where she recalls some of the more memorable and poignant times in her life, as well as some humorous tales … including being pranked by Sir Richard Branson; the value of a quality piece of hand fruit while in rough conditions off shore; a funny story about an airborne skateboard in an apartment; and a somewhat domesticated Bobcat named Toma.Barbara recently published a book - which I recommend to any one who follows sailing, skiing, journalism and adventure.That book is called “Heart of the story - Notes from a reporter’s free-spirited life” and you can find it on amazon.com

My guest for this episode is former New York Times columnist Barbara Lloyd. Barbara covered Sailing, Skiing and other sports, as well as writing a gear column for the New York Times.But Barbara has humble roots here at home with the Newport Daily News. It was at the Newport Daily News where she began as a cub reporter. Barbara honed her skills covering the America’s Cup races and interviewing sailors, including Ted Turner and Dennis Conner.Her nomadic lifestyle, free spirited nature and hard work allowed her to live in and travel to spectacular places around the world. At a time when men dominated journalism, Barbara ‘leaned in’ to a man's world and faced few obstacles to her success. Her journalistic integrity and determination earned her the respect of her editors and peers alike.We had a great chat where she recalls some of the more memorable and poignant times in her life, as well as some humorous tales … including being pranked by Sir Richard Branson; the value of a quality piece of hand fruit while in rough conditions off shore; a funny story about an airborne skateboard in an apartment; and a somewhat domesticated Bobcat named Toma.Barbara recently published a book - which I recommend to any one who follows sailing, skiing, journalism and adventure.That book is called “Heart of the story - Notes from a reporter’s free-spirited life” and you can find it on amazon.com

My guests for this episode are Denis and Allie of Mr. Badger & Co. Mr. Badger is their 41’ Concordia yawl. We recently got together and cracked open a few beers while they shared their tale of how they came to own Mr. Badger. But that wasn’t the only tale. Denis boasts an impressive sailing résumé and both are well traveled. It’s a wide-ranging chat that covers: sailing the Greek islands; an unsuccessful attempt at purchasing a schooner; sailing a Carriacou Sloop thousands of miles; environmental stewardship; and how a great experience aboard can be transformative. Learn more about Denis, Allie and Mr. Badger at www.mrbadger.co

My guests for this episode are Denis and Allie of Mr. Badger & Co. Mr. Badger is their 41’ Concordia yawl. We recently got together and cracked open a few beers while they shared their tale of how they came to own Mr. Badger. But that wasn’t the only tale. Denis boasts an impressive sailing résumé and both are well traveled. It’s a wide-ranging chat that covers: sailing the Greek islands; an unsuccessful attempt at purchasing a schooner; sailing a Carriacou Sloop thousands of miles; environmental stewardship; and how a great experience aboard can be transformative. Learn more about Denis, Allie and Mr. Badger at www.mrbadger.co

My guest in this episode is Anne Vandromme-Hood. Anne is a partner and leading force behind the publication, Yacht Insider’s Guide. Originally from Paris, she spent much of her time sailing out of Brittney with her family on a variety of boats. Anne is also an avid windsurfer who brought her gear along with her as she pursued crew positions on charter yachts.Her time spent working professionally on yachts lead her from crew, to chef, to shoreside management in Martinique, and now a publisher in Newport, Rhode Island.She’s an animal lover and activist, a steward of the environment, and a supporter of many organizations that work to make the world a better place.  Anne lives a very examined life and thoughtfully governs her actions so that they remain aligned with her principles. A few of the worthy organizations she mentions in the podcast are: Sailors for the Sea; Clean Ocean Access; Save The Bay and Clean Bays. She also tells a wonderful story about a dog from Martinique finding a new home as a direct result of an article she wrote on the Nicholson Yachts blog. I enjoyed talking with Anne and and you can learn more about her, and the publication, by visiting yacthinsidersguide.com

My guest in this episode is Anne Vandromme-Hood. Anne is a partner and leading force behind the publication, Yacht Insider’s Guide. Originally from Paris, she spent much of her time sailing out of Brittney with her family on a variety of boats. Anne is also an avid windsurfer who brought her gear along with her as she pursued crew positions on charter yachts.Her time spent working professionally on yachts lead her from crew, to chef, to shoreside management in Martinique, and now a publisher in Newport, Rhode Island.She’s an animal lover and activist, a steward of the environment, and a supporter of many organizations that work to make the world a better place.  Anne lives a very examined life and thoughtfully governs her actions so that they remain aligned with her principles. A few of the worthy organizations she mentions in the podcast are: Sailors for the Sea; Clean Ocean Access; Save The Bay and Clean Bays. She also tells a wonderful story about a dog from Martinique finding a new home as a direct result of an article she wrote on the Nicholson Yachts blog. I enjoyed talking with Anne and and you can learn more about her, and the publication, by visiting yacthinsidersguide.com

My guest for episode 15 is Joe Cooper of Joe Cooper Sailing.Joe arrived to the podcast straight from coaching a high school sailing team - still half decked out in his drysuit.Joe was born in Sydney, Australia, and learned to sail just to the north in an estuary with similar characteristics to that of our Narragansett Bay. Joe has over 60,000 miles at sea and crewed for Australia in the 1977 and 1980 America’s Cup. He also has over 30 years as a sailmaker under his belt.Joe runs Joe Cooper Sailing which provides coaching and consulting services to teams and boat owners looking to squeeze the maximum performance and value out of their program. He’s also written for major sailing publications and currently contributes to WindCheck magazine with a column called “Coop’s Corner". You can learn more at http://www.joecoopersailing.com

My guest for episode 15 is Joe Cooper of Joe Cooper Sailing.Joe arrived to the podcast straight from coaching a high school sailing team - still half decked out in his drysuit.Joe was born in Sydney, Australia, and learned to sail just to the north in an estuary with similar characteristics to that of our Narragansett Bay. Joe has over 60,000 miles at sea and crewed for Australia in the 1977 and 1980 America’s Cup. He also has over 30 years as a sailmaker under his belt.Joe runs Joe Cooper Sailing which provides coaching and consulting services to teams and boat owners looking to squeeze the maximum performance and value out of their program. He’s also written for major sailing publications and currently contributes to WindCheck magazine with a column called “Coop’s Corner". You can learn more at http://www.joecoopersailing.com