Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense

This interview shows the positive effects old shipmates can unknowingly have in each other's lives.  In this interview Ethan learns that he was directly responsible for the place and manner in which I proposed to my now wife.  And I learn that his time on tallships with me directly influenced his decision and ability to work and live in Antarctica.  This interview is loaded with detailed talk and...

Retired elementary teacher turned sailor, Mark was mentioned in last week's episode (#12) as the fellow who got me into contra dancing.  My former landlord turned sailor after hanging out with my old shipmates on my bachelor party, he has had a wild and wide-ranging retirement.  From sailing on viking ships and a pinnace to adventures on enormous European tallships, he shows no signs of slowing do...

A review of an excellent book that has saved my back on more than one occasion!  In this episode you will get a hint of the wisdom and practical knowledge offered by this book, as well as my real-life (and sometimes embarrassing) stories of moving heavy things, mostly from my time on the Viking longships the Sea Stallion and Draken, and also on the schooner Mary Day in Maine.     Intro/Ending Musi...

A very pleasant, informative interview, and a must listen for boaters who sail in waters with tugboats!  Megan and I discuss her Alaskan background, what got her into tug boats, and some of the near misses and not-so-near misses that occur when pushing tens of thousands of tons of barges.  We get into what everyday life and work is like on continually operating Columbia River Tugs and even touch o...

A fun and progressively less-sober interview with tugboat worker and old shipmate Crazy Ivan.  In addition to his patented method of sailing under bridges at high tide that he technically should not be able to clear, we also talk about pranks, boat handling, sea stowing, rough seas, dive bars, D&D, life as a live-aboard at anchor, shanghaiing barmaids and much more.  Tongues loosen up towards...

The story of the little known, yet legendary Jim Patillo.  A Glouster fisherman of incredible strength, he lived a wild and rough life.  Here are just a few of his stories that will have you wondering why more people have never heard of this maritime figure. Book Used for Source Material: "Bear of the Sea" by Joseph E. Garland   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use...

Steve was at my side in the worst seas I have ever been in!  We talk about this and what was one of the wildest times I ever had on tallships.  It wasn't just the seas, but also the colorful cast of characters on the ship!  There are many funny stories, nerve-wracking moments, exploding inter-personal drama, and numerous sailor and seamanship lessons learned (often in the sense of "Don't do this!"...

John Gandy had a military and civilian maritime career, and now (when not sailing) spends his time restoring old vessels and keeping history alive.  In this interview John discusses in detail, little-known vessel handling techniques as well as interesting, little-known navigational aid knowledge.  Our conversation also delves into his career, history, sailors' superstition, torpedoes, cruise missi...

In this episode I DO NOT sing any sea shanties NOR do I talk about the different types of sea shanties, their history, etc.  Rather, this episode is about my experience with and celebrating people coming together to share and sing songs (which include sea shanties of course).  I talk about the timelessness of singing together, my experience with it, how it's been lost in modern time but could be r...

I sit down with the man, the legend, Leon Brooks.  An Aikido Master, Sci-Fi Enthusiast, Professional Reenactor and Tallship Sailor; our discussion touches on African and African American maritime history, sea sickness, washing blood off decks, aikido, reenacting, Sci-fi, his first time being a "STARSHIP" captain with his crew, and more.                                      BONUS MATERIALS!!  (Pict...

A survivor of the sinking of the HMS Bounty replica during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.  Josh recounts his harrowing experiences before, during and after the hurricane and the sinking of his ship.  We wrap up with some of Josh's suggestions for practical, extreme-weather survival gear from his survivor's perspective and end on a happy note with his incredible first date with his now wife!   Intro/Endi...

A wonderfully joyful interview with one of my dearest old shipmates.  Jenny and I talk about "The Family" which was our first crew on the Lady Washington.  Her first experiences on boats and how they can be indirectly traced back to the Playboy Mansion Halloween Party!  We also recount fun parties, life-changing events and decisions on the ships.  And lastly, she surprises my with a revelation tha...

My first solo episode where I review the movie Master and Commander, and also review the Patrick O' Brian novels, all from a tallship captain/sailor's perspective.  If you've never heard of this movie or the books, then you must listen and learn why people love them! If you are already a big fan, hopefully my review will help give you a different and possibly fuller perspective on the movie and bo...

Michael Tolley is a Columbia River Bar Pilot, which is one of the most dangerous and stressful maritime jobs in the world!  In this interview we talk not only about his work but also his colorful career including the time he got stranded in the desert in Kuwait, got attacked by pirates... twice, and how he rescued several hundred Syrian refugees. Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for...

The maiden voyage of Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense! Two old shipmates and I recount our crazy sailor stories and times together during our first days sailing.  Everything from the most embarrassing (and in hind-sight hilarious) day in West Coast tallship history, to the most epic seasickness sail ever, to having a woman die in my arms. This was our first recording and we were learning, so please...

A brief message for first-time listeners on what to expect and get from the podcast.  

A quick trailer to give you an idea about what to expect from this podcast.