The Mariner

#22 | Interview | Ryan Barkey | Canadian Offshore Racer

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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
 
 
 

#21 | Equipment Review | Team O Back Tow Life Jacket.

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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
 
 
 
 

#20 | Deep Dive | 'Pride of Nova Scotia'

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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.
 
 
 
 
 
 

#19 | VoyageThe Formula 40 Trimaran 'Spirit'

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
 
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
 
 

#18 | Deep Dive | These are the Days of our Lives

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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

#17 | Sailing Solo Around the World | The Voyage Home

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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
 

#16 | Deep Dive | Lunar Exploration

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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

#15 | Sailing Solo Around the World | Between the Devil & Dehydration

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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

#14 | Deep Dive | Climbing Mount Stupid

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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

#13 | Deep Dive | My Sailing Heroes

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 csmthemariner@gmail.com 
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