Paul Trammell
Author, Sailor, Podcaster
Ep. 290, Closing the Loop on a Circumnavigation, Brian Hathaway
Brian Hathaway was in Panama when I interviewed him, near to completeing his circumnavigation. While sailing, he has been filming a documentary "The Healing Power of the Ocean." Brian is five years sober. He also directed a short documentary "Adrift." Brian sails a 2004 Hunter 44DS.
We talk about fixing leaking portlights, fixing the cone clutch on his transmission, sailing from St Helena to Recife, Recife to Martinique, running aground, squalls, Puerto Rico to Panama (the worst passage of his circumnavigation), crew difficulties, dual headsails, losing both headsails, cutting a line caught in the propeller while at sea in rough conditions, climbing the mast while offshore, using a gaff on a halyard to catch a headsail halyard, motoring vs not motoring, whether or not to officially close the loop on the map to complete the circumnavigation, AIS vs Radar, zarpes, San Juan Puerto Rico, Hydrovane vs electronic autopilot, Wajag Islands, Madagascar, jacklines, tethers, saftey, fixing stuff, and more.
Owen's phone:
+1-561-827-5457
Ep. 289, Sailing the Sea of Cortez, Hawaii, and Alaska, Mike Kalil and Stephanie Propp
Mike and Stephanie were in the Sea of Cortez when I interviewed them, aboard their Saga 43, Stella Blue. They bought her in British Columbia and sailed her south to California and Mexico, then to Hawaii, Alaska, down the west coast, and returned to the Sea of Cortez.
​
We talk about Mexico and the Sea of Cortez, wildlife, their boat, the solent rig, electronics, radar, anchor lights, how they selected the Saga 43, sailing from Mexico to Hawaii, flipping a dinghy duing a beach landing, the kindness of the Mexican people, anchoring in Hawaii, sailing from Hawaii to Alaska, cruising in Alaska, Glacier Bay, glaciers, swimming moose, staying warm in the north, dealing with mold, cleaning the rigging with vinegar, mounting a Hydrovane, bucket-list destinations, and more.
.png)
Stella Blue, a Saga 43
swimming moose in Alaska
puffins
Ep. 288, Sailing a 60' Ketch with a 10' Centerboard, Ryan Rayfield, Sailing Libra
Ryan Rayfield recently sailed with novice crew from Block Island to Bermuda in November and faced some heavy weather, which he dealt with effectively in his 60' ketch, Libra. Ryan learned to sail on Lake Martin in Alabama, and now runs Sail Libra, an offshore charter operation in the North Atlantic Ocean. He is a USCG-licensed captain, father, and lifelong mariner.
We talk about learning to sail on a makeshift Sunfish in Alabama, the advantages of sailing a ketch, light-air sails, his boat - a 1969 60' Bill Tripp center-cockpit ketch built by Abeking & Rasmussen, centerboards, replacing the centerboard, hurricanes, sailing from Rhode Island to Bermuda in November in foul weather, crossing the Gulf Stream, wind against current, planning to cross the Gulf Stream, watch schedules, sailing in 40-50 knots with 20' seas, the details of heaving-to and coming out of heaving-to safely, bucket-list destinations, and more.
Owen's phone:
+1-561-827-5457
Ep. 287, Sailing from the POV of a Former Commercial Fisherman, Joe Drago
Joe Drago used to be a commercial fisherman in New England and now sails a Cape Dory 45 ketch based in New York and runs Sailing Resolution, a sailing adventure charter business.
We talk about how he got involved in commercial fishing, lessons about seamanship learned from commercial fishing, fishing in foul weather, being washed overboard while longlining in the Gulf Stream, his rescue, safety gear, responding to a mayday, things commercial fishermen wish sailors did differently, towing signals, radar and AIS, sleeping while singlehanding, communication with commercial vessels, the Gulf Stream and wind against current, his boat Resolution - a Cape Dory 45 ketch, Airex foam coring, sailing a ketch, redundant and simplified systems on his boat, personal MOB AIS beacons, bronze deck fitting, chain plates, dragging anchor, sailing and climbing in Newfoundland, tips for staying warm and dry in cold wet weather, St Pierre (French island near Newfoundland), favorite anchorage in Maine, and more.
Ep. 286, Sailing to Japan with Robin Toozs-Hobson
Robin Toozs-Hobson is a long-time sailor and delivery skipper based in St. Lucia. He and I have sailed together a few times and had some great adventures. He recently did a delivery of an Excess catamaran from St. Lucia to Japan.
We talk about living in St. Lucia, living abroad and dealing with the passport and banking and mail, monohull sailing vs catamaran sailing, favorite boats, Excess catamarans, sailing from St Lucia to Japan, favorite stops along the way, the Panama Canal, diving with hamerhead sharks in Galapagos, locations in Japan, the Japanese people and culture, dealing with heavy weather in a catamaran, where the friendliest people are, anchoring a catamaran, lightning, the importance of sailing lessons, stepping outside your comfort zone, and more.
Owen's phone:
+1-561-827-5457
Ep. 285, Repairing an Aluminum Hull at KM Yachtbuilders, Hylke Boersma
Hylke Boersma is a project manager for refits at KM Yachtbuilders. He is currently working on the repair of a Boreal 52 that suffered hull damage after being struck by another boat while on a mooring.
We talk about using a 3D-scanner to asses damage, repairing an aluminum hull, repairing aluminum vs steel, care and maintenance of aluminum hulls, painting aluminum hulls, advantages of building in aluminum, common mistakes people make when buying sailboats, deck materials, diesel engines, electric motors, electrical systems on aluminum boats, what buyers should know about aluminum vs fiberglass, and more.
Ep. 284, Sailing Solo to Seven Continents, Harry Anderson
Harry Anderson is the only person to have both flown solo and sailed solo to all seven continents. He is also the author of "Sailing 7 Continents Solo."
We talk about his route, his boats (a Bavaria 37 and an Alures 40.9), sailing with a centerboard, heaving-to, HF radio, VHF with wireless remote handset, anchoring, shore lines, generating electricity, Deception Island, getting permits to go to Antarctica, katabatic winds, Puerto Montt, Cocos Keeling, friendly people, favorite places, Namibia, beautiful moments, safety, heaters, the NW passage, his books, and more.
Owen's phone:
+1-561-827-5457
SV Phywave, an Alures 40.9
SV Phywave under construction
Phywave at Decepttion Island, Antarctica
Ep. 283, Willem Nieland, Globemaster Yachts, Designing Aluminum Sailboats
Willem Nieland has been designing yachts for 35 years. He designs Globemaster yachts, as well as custom aluminum expedition sailboats, motor yachts, and residential yachts. His designs are know for efficent and ergonomic use of space, comfort, and excellent offshore sailing characteristics.
We talk about design elements he likes in a boat, his boat, sailing around The Netherlands, designing boats, the Northwest Passage, the expedition boat Necton, twin saildrives, his Globemaster yachts, using a lifting keel, the Globemaster 45 and some of its features, advantages and disadvantages of dual rudders, bilge keels, standpipes on water intakes, dual fuel filters, folding propellers, engines, ergonomics and layout, working with the owner on customboats, the Globemaster 53, and more.
Buy dinghy navigation lights from these people. Use discount code MERRY CHRISTMAS for 10% off (and tell them I sent you)
Willem's boat
Globemaster 28
Nieland 46
Globemaster 45
Globemaster 53
Ep. 282, Onboard Galiana with Tapio and Crew
Tapio Lehtinen and his crew were sailing in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers from the Canary Islands to St. Lucia when we talked. The interview was conducted in the cockpit of Galiana, a 1972 Swan 55 yawl, while underway. I spoke with each of the crew, most of whom were paying customers. Tapio is taking paying crew on ocean training passages and various offshore races this year, as well as the 2027 Ocean Globe Race. Ifyou are interested in sailing with Tapio on Galiana, email me at paulwtrammell@hotmail.com and I will put you in touch with Tapio, as well as his schedule and prices.
Buy dinghy navigation lights from these people. Use discount code MERRY CHRISTMAS for 10% off (and tell them I sent you)
Owen's phone:
+1-561-827-5457
Ep. 281, Viivi Moisio, Sailing in the Ocean Globe Race on Galiana
Viivi was part of Tapio Lehtinen's crew onboard Galiana for the 2023 Ocean Globe Race. This race was the subject of Tapio's book "Pole Star and Albatross." Viivi is now building a Class Globe 5.80 to sail in the 2026 Mini Globe Transat.
We talk about learning to sail, training for the Ocean Globe Race (OGR), the sinking of Asteria, favorite moments in the OGR, rounding Cape Horn, fear, difficult moments, sail repair, maintaining a positive spirit on Galiana, diving to fix the hydrogenerator offshore, steering across the finish line of the OGR, the unexpected, the Southern Ocean, Galiana, the Globe 5.80 Transat, building her boat, advice for young sailors, and more.
Galiana in the 2022 OGR
Viivi's Class Globe 5.80
Ep. 280, Andrew Evans, Singlehanded Sailing Two Points West of Sanity
Andrew Evans is best known for his book "Singlehanded Sailing, Thoughts Tips Techniques and Tactics." His most recent book is "Singlehanded Sailing, Two Points West of Sanity." The book is mostly about his ill-fated passage attempting to sail from Victoria, Canada, to the start of the Transpac in San Francisco. During the journey, he experienced falling overboard, taking on water, total loss of his electrical system, great hardship, exhaustion, and a week of hallucinations. In this episode, Andrew tells the story of this journey, starting in Victoria, Canada and finishing with his rescue in Victoria Canada. We talk all about the sailing, his hallucinations, and how the problems might have been prevented. We also talk about Andrew's other interest in physics and his new patent on manufactured gravity.
Owen's phone:
+1-561-827-5457
Ep. 279, Introducing the Worldstar with RWYC Vice Commodore Chris Arscott
The Royal Western Yacht Club was founded in 1827 to encourage yacht racing. Chris Arscott is the Vice Commodore and organizes the OSTAR and the Round Britain & Ireland Race, and now the Worldstar, a new nonstop round-the-world race for 35'-60' monohulls without specific requirements and raced singlehanded or doublehanded,.
​
We talk about the Worldstar, Starlink, communication, sponsorship, making the race affordable, how the Worldstar is different from other circumnavigation races, history of the OSTAR (1960) and Doublhand RBI (1966), support during the race, livestreaming during the race, safety, the Worldstar rules, the inspiration for the race, Guy Waites, life rafts, watermakers, qualification, favorite boats, and more.
Ep. 278 Guido Cantini, 2026 Golden Globe Race Entrant
Guido Cantini is an Italian entrant in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. His boat is a Vancouver 34, and he has been preparing for the race for six years.
We talk about sailing arounf the Tuscan Archipelago, the differences between being a mariner and a racer, the Golden Globe Race, his boat and how he chose it, work he has done to the boat, cruising in Panama, the effects of moving weight inside the boat, heaters, GGR rules, reefing, sailing in the "Nostar," breaking a Hydrovane, electronic autopilots, heavy weather strategies, the GGR and what he is looking forward to, dealing with fear, the Jordan Series Drogue, heaving-to, and more.
Owen's phone:
+1-561-827-5457
