I met Matt Harvey in June 2021 when he joined me onboard Silver Fern as Chief Mate on the 600nm passage from Southport to Hamilton Island, Queensland. With the various challenges that unfolded along the way, Matt proved himself as a capable and composed skipper, especially under pressure. Fast forward 4 months and Matt has just completed the purchase (sight unseen) of a 70-foot expedition yacht, that’s been parked up in Tahiti for 18 months (thanks to COVID-19) after it was halfway through its second circumnavigation. With a 200,000nm and 30-year history of ocean sailing and adventure, the yachts previous expeditions include one to Antarctica by the British Army, who retraced Ernest Shackleton’s famous voyage. Matt’s passion for sailing has him plunging headfirst into commercial yacht ownership and joining Ocean Sailing Expeditions, with his 70-foot expedition yacht to be renamed “Salt Lines”. This enables us to increase safety on remote expeditions with 2 yachts and expands the range of sailing adventures we can offer. This episode covers the journey so far for Matt, the sleepless nights and what lies ahead next for Matt and his delivery crew, including sailing 3,300nm across the Pacific to Australia for 2 months of upgrades and repairs, so she’s ready to go sailing from February 2022. Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com 

Ocean Sailing Podcast

Matt Harvey – Buys 70-foot expedition yacht 'sight unseen' in Tahiti

With a dream to sail the Atlantic one day, Maryanne (Scotland) met Kyle (USA) in 2002 and setting abut turning her dream into reality. They kicked their adventures on a 25 foot monohull on Lake Eerie and 19 years later they have not only crossed together but have also crossed the Pacific 5 times and have spent the last decade as live aboard cruisers. They share the tales of their travels including the strangest Customs border clearance ever experienced, in a tiny coastal town in Ireland. They also share the sad story of the loss of their brand new catamaran in a storm, when a lee shore anchorage pushed them aground on the coast of Italy and the stress of flying home to the USA to find a replacement yacht and decided to restart their adventures on an 2001 Fountaine-Pajot Athena 38 named Begonia, which they live on today.  Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com 

Maryanne and Kyle Webb - 5 Pacific Crossings and a catamaran cruising tale

David Hows shares an update on his 72-foot expedition yacht project - Silver Fern, with details of the last 6-months including the Americas Cup, the 10-month certification process with Maritime New Zealand, big budget blow-outs on the refit. David dives into some of his early sailing adventure challenges on Silver Fern including; a forced lee shore anchorage in a heavy weather, being grounded for 10-hours on the mud in crocodile country, black water pipe problems and rigging and steering failures. David shares his thoughts on lessons learned in these examples and prioritisation and decision making at sea. Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com 

David Hows: Aground for 10 hours on the mud in crocodile country

I catch up with America's Cup analyst and expert - Jack Griffin from CupExperience.com and we dive into the AC75 class, the shocks and surprises to date and the rocky road to the America's Cup Match in Auckland, New Zealand in March 2021 and what the future holds for the Auld Mug. This episode is packed with observations, thoughts and some bold predictions as to what's about to happen next, as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli get ready to face the Defender; Emirates Team New Zealand on Aucklands Waitemata Harbour. With "Pistol Pete" facing "Jimmy the prize fighter Spithill" in Jimmy's 4th Americas Cup match in a row, this is sure to be an epic encounter and likely to contain shocks, surprises and disappointments - as is often the case with the world's oldest sporting trophy. Check out: http://cupexperience.com  Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com 

101 Jack Griffin - Its showtime: Luna Rossa vs ETNZ in Americas Cup 36

In episode 100 of the Ocean Sailing Podcast, David Hows dives into his latest ‘Silver Fern’ 72-foot expedition yacht project and does a big update on the past 4 months of long days and unexpected obstacles, that included unplanned upgrades, Maritime NZ compliance challenges, a complete yacht rewire, making the decision to take the jump into full time adventure sailing and stories from his 7th Tasman Sea crossing in December 2020. David also launches an Ocean Sailing Expeditions - Shareholder Membership release with details on how to take advantage of the limited opportunity to maximise your own sailing adventures. Find out more about membership: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com/membership

David Hows – Episode 100: Silver Fern Project Update & Limited Membership Opportunity

In this episode I meet with Rodney Keenan, founder of Evolution Sails, at his incredible high-tech membrane plant in Auckland, New Zealand about sail planning for my new project: Silver Fern. Rodney shares his advice on sail planning and the background story of how he built a global sail making business that sends sails to customers all over the world. As a 7-year client of Evolution, I was fascinated to find out first-hand about the latest trends in carbon/technora membrane sail technology and whether this next step up makes sense for my 72 foot expedition/racing project and I discover how sail making has changed over the past 20 years. Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com 

Rodney Keenan - Founder of Evolution Sails on the 'high-tech. arms race'

Vernon Deck is a great example of jumping headfirst into sailing and just figuring it out as you go along. We initially interviewed Vernon in episode 68 and discovered how he purchased a Sayer 37 yacht 'Schiehallion' and before heading offshore to Solomon Islands, then onto Papua New Guinea and then Indonesia. This time we catch-up with Vernon to find out about cruising Indonesia and the challenges for cruising live-aboard sailors with COVID19 and the border issues.  Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com

Vernon Deck - COVID19 Cruising Challenges in Indonesia

David Hows and Phil Jarvis join the crew of Coastguard Nelson for a post-rescue debrief session, followed by a recorded podcast interview to discuss how yachties can learn lessons from previous Coastguard rescue case studies and tips on getting found and staying alive at sea. It's easy to assume when sailing in calm weather, that it will never happen to you, but the chat with the crew of Coastguard Nelson reinforces that having the right safety equipment, keeping it serviced and knowing how to use it could save your life one day. Help them fund their rescue boat: https://coastguardnelson.org.nz Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com

Coastguard Nelson (NZ) - getting found and staying alive

Jana McGeachy and Mick O'Keefe (Beef) are not your typical semi-retired cruising sailors. As young sailors, they've worked hard, saved up and sold up. I first found out about their ambitious cruising plans in Episode 73. Now 14-months later, I catch up with them at home in Australia to find out all about their sailing adventures through the Caribbean including; The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Tortola, Antigua and The Virgin Islands.  They share the challenges of COVID-19 for cruisers, hiring a private plane to get out of Antigua, their engagement, their first cruising baby on the way and some essential boat maintenance stories. Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com 

Jana and Mick - Sailing through Central America, highlights and challenges

I have yet to meet anyone more inspirational than Dustin Reynolds when it comes to turning personal tragedy and financial ruin into a completely new path in life. Hit by a drunk driver and left for dead on the side of the road with his arm ripped from his body and life multiple threatening injuries, Dustin survived but the mounting health bills buried him financially. He made the decision to sell up and walk away from the business's he had diligently built, to rediscover a new life on the ocean in a $12,000 yacht with a goal of circumnavigating the planet. His story, determination and passion for deep connections with people is powerful and inspiring. Visit Ocean Sailing Podcast for offshore sailing opportunities and podcast extras and follow us on Facebook.

Dustin Reynolds - Left for dead by drunk driver on roadside

Geoff’s Wilson's life changed forever on Boxing Day 2004. Within days of the Banda Aceh earthquake and tsunami, he was working on the ground as a relief team translator. The death and destruction was a huge wake-up call for Geoff and what he has achieved since is nothing short of inspiring. From near death escapes and grand desert journeys to extreme Antarctic expeditions, Geoff now holds six world records; Longest solo, unsupported Polar Journey in Human History First summit of Dome Argus, solo and unsupported  Fastest solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica  Fastest unsupported crossing of Greenland, South to North First to cross the Torres Strait by kiteboard First and only wind-assisted crossing of the Sahara Desert Visit Ocean Sailing Podcast for offshore sailing opportunities and podcast extras and follow us on Facebook.

Geoff Wilson - world record setting explorer & adventurer

Involved in ocean racing as a teenager and competing regularly as crew in all the Australian Blue Water Classics, Mark first became part of the wooden boat community 25 years ago with the purchase of the 1964 Sparkman and Stevens designed 'Cotton Blossom'. His romance with classic boats established, it was the purchase of his second boat, the 1956 Philip Rhodes designed 'Fair Winds' in Auckland that found him with a seaworthy vessel ready for the demands of both adventure and racing. Thousands of miles and many ocean crossings and races later, Mark also talks about the deep bond and lifelong friendships that you develop with your crew, especially when you sail together for decades. Visit Ocean Sailing Podcast for offshore sailing opportunities and podcast extras and follow us on Facebook.

Mark Chew - the joy of ocean sailing in classic wooden yachts

An inspirational interview with Dylan Magaster who flew to South America at the age of 21 with only $1,000 in the bank and his camera gear and decided to go traveling. He backpacked for 6 months, converted a van into his home and began creating influential short documentaries showcasing ‘Alternative Living’. After nearly two years living in a van, Dylan decided to move to the Mediterranean in pursuit of new adventure. With just 7 days of sailing experience, he bought a 1979 Morgan 382 sailing boat and has lived aboard the ‘Arianrhod’ since. He has now sailed more than 6,000 nm to 3 continents and traveled to 27 countries, sharing countless inspiring stories of Alternative Living. With 100 million video views on YouTube, Dylan is proof of the hunger for adventure so many of us crave. Dylan’s main passions are adventure storytelling and sustainable living ad he is also CEO of FLORB, a successful film production company he created based in Los Angeles, California. Visit Ocean Sailing Podcast for offshore sailing opportunities and podcast extras and follow us on Facebook.

Dylan Magaster - Traveling the planet at age 21 on $1,000

David Hows shares this sneak preview of his exciting new sailing expeditions that lay ahead and the 70-foot expedition super yacht he is acquiring to make it all possible.   This is your chance to get involved, get onboard and sail to places you could normally only dream of and at a fraction of the normal cost. David is launching a unique and innovative shareholder membership program, for just 20 members in total, to make it easier for sailor’s to join him on a range of new passages, races and expeditions at a fraction of the normal crew cost (including front row seats at the America’s Cup in 2021 in Auckland). If you have often thought about; Circumnavigating challenging locations Completing a Trans-Tasman crossing or Cat 1 Ocean Race Joining our crew for a Rolex Sydney Hobart Race Undertaking sailing expeditions to remote and rare locations Then find out more by watching this pre-release video. https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com/membership

Honey I bought a 70 ft Super Yacht (at 90% below replacement value)

This episode is about sharing the lessons from an initial mechanical failure that occurred in the middle of the Tasman Sea, that set off a chain of events over the course of 520nm, resulting in the Coastguard rescue of a 45-foot Beneteau yacht and its crew of 6. As a sequel to episode 88, skipper David Hows conducts a full post mortem with the crew, who share their thoughts on what they would do differently, how they would prepare and what they got right in this multifaceted, near disaster story that took place 4 days after departing Hobart, Australia to sail 1,250nm across the Tasman Sea to Picton, New Zealand. The crew of the Ocean Gem had to face a steering cable failure in the early morning hours, followed by two crash gybes that snapped the boom preventer and broke the boom in half. What followed 500nm later was the failure of the steel emergency tiller and then the autopilot, causing total steering loss and ultimately a call for a rescue tow from while mid Cook Strait and 53nm from Nelson. Visit Ocean Sailing Podcast for offshore sailing opportunities and podcast extras and follow us on Facebook.

Disaster averted - Crew post-mortem on rescue & lessons learned

Capturing and sharing ocean sailing stories and adventures. The Ocean Sailing Podcast site is designed for people who love to cruise, race or explore the worlds oceans. Its also for those yet to experience the joy of sailing and those no longer able to cast off their dock lines and head for the open sea. Join now and subscribe free to our podcast episodes

hubhopper

Ocean Sailing Podcast

hubhopper