Ep. 229, Adventure Sailing in Scotland, Scott Johnston
Scott Johnston runs Yachting Scotland, an adventure-sailing and sailing tourism operation located in the Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland.
Our discussion begins with us talking about our boats and comparing the pros and cons of my full-keel cruiser and his modern performance cruiser. We also talk about the weather and sailing conditions in Scotland, sailing destinations in Scotland, learning to sail, delivering climbers to sae cliffs, St Kilda, using a sea anchor, anchoring in deep water, starting a charter-sailing business, the love of sailing, freediving, Newfoundland, and more.
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Ep. 228, Building and Sailing a 75' Steel Sailboat, Doug Jackson, SV Seeker
Doug Jackson spent fifteen years building a 75' steel junk-rigged sailboat in Tulsa Oklahoma. Aron Erwin introduced me to Doug, and I interviewed them both in episode 221 in the before and after Hurricane Milton episode. Doug had such an interesting boat that I had to do this episode.
We talk about St Augustine Florida, a boat that went aground in the Hurricane Milton, designing and building Seeker, bringing researchers aboard, the junk rig, learning to sail the boat, reefing, entering the St Augustine inlet, running into things, the inspiration to change his life and build this boat and move aboard her, taking risks, making friends, living a strenuous, curious, and meaningful life, tools, 3-D printing, and more.
Owen's WhatsApp:
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Ep. 227, Adam Desrosiers, Living Off-Grid in Alaska, Sailing a Cape George 36
Adam lives off-grid in southeast Alaska and sails a Cape George 36. He was also a small-boat commercial fisherman and a merchant marine. We talk about Alaska, his history of commercial fishing, why we love untying the lines ashore, working as a merchant marine, finding the right boat, the Cape George 36, the Golden Globe Race and Kirsten Neuschafer, sailing in the fjords, the anchorages, Deigo Garcia, shark fishing, knife making, wildlife, orcas singing with thier heads out of the water, and more.
Ep. 226, Erden Eruc, Preparing for the 2026 Golden Globe Race
Erden Eruc is an entrant in the 2026 Golden Globe Race, and has purchased Simon Curwen's Biscay 36, Clara. Erden is also one of only two people to have circumnavigated under human power, and Erden is the only to have done it solo, and he did it by rowing, cycling, kayaking, and hiking. He holds an amazing 18 Guiness World Records.
We talk about his boat, his sailing experience, reasons he wants to do the race, learning about the Hydrovane, projects needed on the boat, hopes and fears regarding the race, the photogates, future sailing plans, and much more.
Listen to the beginning of this conversation
on my other podcast
Owen's WhatsApp:
1-561-827-5457
Ep. 225, Sam Holmes 2, in Dakar
When I spoke with Sam the previous week (ep. 224) he was en route to Dakar. In this episode, he is in Dakar. I also talk about my recent passage from San Blas to Linton Bay and then on to Escudo de Veraguas.
Sam and I talk about the passage and trouble encountered on the way including damaging a spreader, reefing, using a modified climbing harness, sharks, a windvane problem, anchors and anchoring, using multiple anchors, sleeping while underway, anchor alarms, halucinating, radar and its limitations, Dakar, clearing customs and immigration, favorite places, and more.
Ep. 224, Sam Holmes, Underway between the Canary Islands and Dakkar
Sam was sailing in his Cape Dory 28 between the Canary Islands and Dakkar when I spoke to him.
Before the interview, I talk about the San Blas Islands. Sam and I talk about the conditions, his Cape Dory 28, his windvane and electronic autopilots, sailing a full-keel boat, replacing the bronze chainplates, fixing a leaking hull-deck joint, Morocco, The Canary Islands, The Gambia, sailing to The Bahamas on a 16' Hobie Cat, fear, sailing for the sailing or for the destinations, solo sailing and why we love it, the Annapolis Boat Show, and more.
Tune in next week for a continuation of this conversation. Sam and I got cut off at the end of this one, as he was underway and without reliable internet.
Owen's WhatsApp:
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Ep. 223, Sailing through Southeast Asia with Olivia Owens Wyatt
Olivia Owens Wyatt is a solo sailor, a filmaker, and a USCG 50-Ton Master certified captain. She is on her way around the world, currently in SE Asia, on a Panda 34. She is also entered in the 2026 Golden Globe Race
We talk about Papua New Guinea, piracy, self-defense, Wayag, dealing with squalls, going without sleep, sailing through Indonesia, the perils of listening to bad advice, taking a tow from a coal-barge tug that led to near-disaster, preparing for the GGR, dealing with fear, wildlife encounters, sea snakes, happy people and where to find them, anchors, and more.
Wayag
Ep. 222, Andrew Cassels, Around the Americas through the NW Passage and Patagonia
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Andrew recently completed a three-year journey around the Americas including the Faroe Islands, Greenland, through the Northwest Passage, Alaska, Costa Rica, Patagonia, Brazil, and Svalbard, in a JFA 45, an aluminum expedition yacht.
We talk about highlights of the trip, as well as difficulties, favorite places, sailing in heavy weather, anchoring in Patagonia and tying ashore, the importance of having a properly prepared sailboat in the high latitudes, foul-weather gear, his boat, electronics, navigation, elephant seals and other wildlife, navigating through ice, a grizzly-bear threat, pros and cons of aluminum boats, properly isolating steel bolts from aluminum, dragging anchor, and more.
Ep. 221, Before and After Hurricane Milton, Anchored in St Augustine with Aaron Erwine and Doug Jackson
Aaron and Doug were anchored in the Intracoastal Waterway just north of St Augustine, Florida, during hurricane Milton (and Helene). I interviewed them before and then after Hurricane Milton.
We talk about anchoring; setting a tandem anchor; using multiple anchors; selecting a spot to sit out a hurricane; we get interuppted by a food delivery to my boat in San Blas, Panama; using two anchors in a tidal current; preparing the boat for the storm; alligators and sharks in the anchorage in Florida; crocodiles in the anchorage in Panama; after the hurricane; insurance; a boat that went aground during the storm; and more.
Doug and Aaron at Aaron's boat, Scout
Doug's boat, Seeker
The anchorage 6.5 nm north of the St. Augustine Inlet
Ep. 220, Sailing Solo from The Netherlands to New Zealand, Jacqueline Evers
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Jacqueline Evers set off from The Netherlands in July 2023 and is now in New Zealand. She sails a 1977 Grinde 27 called Loveworkx, designed by Peter Bruun and built in Denmark.
We talk about New Zealand, clearing into various countries and expenses, sailing solo with family visiting, her boat, the inner forestay, why she is sailing solo around the world, favorite places, what we learn about ourselves through solo sailing, bird visitations, fishing while sailing (or not), sharks, fear, big wind and waves in the Caribbean Sea, creative anchoring, anchors and chain, a beautiful moment, landfalls, the wonder of living on a sailboat, and more.
You can follow Jacqueline on her Youtube Channel Sailing Loveworkx
Owen's WhatsApp:
1-561-827-5457
