Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the USA

Podcast Episode 131: Heavy Weather Sailing with Dan Pfeiffer Episode Summary: Welcome to another episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States! In this episode, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman sit down with Dan Pfeiffer, an experienced sailor and avid listener of the podcast. Dan reached out via email, sparking a fascinating conversation on various sailing topics. Today,...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast! In this episode, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman sit down with Carter Yepsen, a fellow sailor and a frequent guest on the show. Carter shares his insights and experiences from attending the Yanmar Diesel School, a two day training program designed to enhance knowledge and hands-on skills for maintaining and troublesho...

Welcome to the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States podcast, where we share inspiring stories, practical tips, and the unpredictable nature of life on the water. In this episode, hosted by Bela Musits and co-hosted by Mike Wasserman, we dive into the adventurous journey of Mike Malekoff as he recounts his trip from Georgia to the Florida Keys. This podcast captures the essence...

Join Bela Musits and Dan Kerpelman in this episode of the podcast as they discuss Dan's four-month-long journey sailing from Florida to Maine in his newly acquired Amel 50 Sailboat. Dan, who was previously on the podcast to talk about his trip from Rochester, NY to Maine via the St. Lawrence Seaway, shares his experiences and insights from this latest adventure. This episode delves into Dan's rema...

In this insightful episode of the podcast, join Bela Musits and Carter Yepsen as they delve into the intricacies of obtaining a USCG (United States Coast Guard) license. Carter, having recently completed this process, provides a firsthand account of the steps involved, offering valuable insights to listeners. The discussion encompasses a wide range of topics, including: Benefits of a USCG License:...

Join Bela Musits as he interviews Mike Malekoff, a seasoned sailor and frequent guest on this podcast. In this episode, Mike shares his valuable insights and experiences as he prepares his boat for an extended cruise from Georgia to the Florida Keys. After spending six months on the hard, Mike delves into the meticulous planning and preparations required for such a voyage, offering listeners a com...

Join Bela Musits as he interviews Dan Kerpelman, who, along with his wife, embarked on a unique sailing adventure from Rochester, NY, to Portland, Maine, via the St. Lawrence River. This route deviates from the typical path taken by sailors heading south, which usually involves the Erie Canal, the Hudson River, and then south to New York City and the Atlantic or Long Island Sound. Another alternat...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits has a conversation with Jeremy Elwell, a former corporate executive who boldly left his six-figure job to pursue his passion for sailing. Jeremy's decision to purchase an ASA sailing school marked a significant turning point in his life, exemplifying a fearless approach to diving into new endeavors. This episode intertwines the worlds of sailing and entrepreneu...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits has a conversation with Rory Frey, a passionate sailor residing in a charming small town located north of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Despite not being in close proximity to a significant body of water, Rory's love for sailing shines through. Rory owns a trailerable boat that he keeps on a small lake near his house, allowing him to indulge in his passion even duri...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits has a conversation with Peter Lawrence, an avid sailor who recently embarked on an extraordinary journey. Peter's passion for sailing led him to purchase a new-to-him 2005 Beneteau 473 sailboat and  bring her back from Racine, Wisconsin to his home port in Rochester, New York. This remarkable voyage spanned over 800 nautical miles and traversed four of the Grea...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits engages in a conversation with Simon and Sawyer Balint, delving into their adventure of returning their sailboat, a Passport 40, to the United States after their inaugural Atlantic crossing. Prior to their journey, this aspect had not been given much thought, as planning the crossing monopolized their attention. Various options were contemplated by this father...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits engages in a conversation with Simon and Sawyer Balint, delving into the modifications they implemented on their Passport 40 sailboat in preparation for their maiden Atlantic crossing. The discussion revolves around the adjustments made to enhance safety and expand their sailing capabilities across a wider spectrum of wind angles and speeds.  And the trips they...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman discuss the Summer of 2024 sailing season on Narragansett Bay.  We review the trips taken and places visited.  We also discussed some of the new experiences, sights seen, and what we learned.  We also review the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance projects that were performed.  For example, a ripped mainsail and a water tank sensor that sto...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits and Jeff Wettig team up to interview Gene Martel. Jeff, a veteran podcaster and Chesapeake Bay sailor, has hosted his sailing podcast, "Shooting the Breeze," since 2014, producing over 180 episodes. Bela and Jeff previously interviewed each other in episode 90 of this podcast. Gene Martel, new to sailing, listens to both Jeff's podcast and this po...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits engages in a conversation with Conor Smith, a fascinating individual who holds a PhD in Applied Marine Physics, is a USGC Master Captain, an ABYC Electrical Technician, and is actively involved with Warrior Sailing. The discussion revolves around the significance of a "healthy boat checkup," emphasizing that just as humans undergo regular physical exa...

In this episode of the podcast, Bela Musits engages in a conversation with Chris Curtis, an experienced sailor who has extensive sailing experience on the East Coast and is currently based in Seattle. Chris recently undertook an impressive journey, sailing from Seattle to Mexico over the past few months. The discussion delves into the intricacies of planning a long-distance cruise, addressing cruc...

In this podcast episode, Ethan Maass, a seasoned Sea Tow Captain with over 15 years of experience in assisting mariners, engages in a conversation with Bela Musits. Throughout the discussion, Ethan shares invaluable tips and insights aimed at helping mariners avoid the need for a tow back to their home port. This informative and engaging episode offers practical advice and guidance for mariners of...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits engages in a captivating conversation with David Gendell, a lifelong sailor from Annapolis, Maryland, and an accomplished author. Gendell's latest book, "The Last Days of the Schooner America," delves into the remarkable story of the winner of the inaugural America's Cup sailboat race and its subsequent journey after claiming victory. Gendell&...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits welcomes back Mike Malekoff, a returning guest. We previously followed Mike's voyage from Lake Champlain to the Bahamas and back to the USA. Initially, Mike kept his boat on Lake Champlain in Vermont, where the chilly waters and short sailing season posed unique challenges. Now, his boat resides in Southern Georgia, characterized by warm waters, hot and hum...

In this episode, Bela Musits has an engaging conversation with Peter Gibbons-Neff, a participant and finisher of the 2023 Mini-transat. This solo sailing competition across the Atlantic Ocean in 21-foot boats pushes the limits of human endurance and skill. In episode 83, we discussed Peter's preparations and planning for the race. This episode delves deeper into the intricacies of the race its...

In this episode, Bela Musits has a conversation with long-term sailors Rich and Helen Lobel about their sailing experiences. Rich shares his background growing up sailing on the Severn River in Maryland and his various sailboats over the years. Helen discusses her sailing journey, which began in Connecticut and included experiences in Australia and England. Together, they recount their adventures...

In this episode, Bela Musits has a conversation with David Neilson, a lifelong sailor who together with his wife, is building a 12 meter catamaran from a kit.  They have been building an Arrow 1201 for the past three years.  They are on the home stretch and plan to have her launched this early summer.  We had a great conversation about the build process, its challenges, and their plans for sailing...

In this episode, Bela Musits engages in a conversation with John Ensley, an experienced sailor. John has been sailing since he was 11 years old and has been sharing his knowledge, experience, and passion for sailing and cruising as a professional sailing instructor since 2016. He is the owner and founder of Cruise-n-Learn Sailing International, an organization that offers students an immersive sai...

In this episode, Bela Musits interviews a retired professor of maritime history, William Fowler. Fowler recently wrote the book "Commanding Old Ironsides," which explores the life of Silas Talbot. Talbot was a prominent figure during the golden age of early maritime shipping and served as Captain of the renowned revolutionary warship, the USS Constitution. You can find Professor Fowler’s book here...

In this episode, Bela Musits interviews Mark Darling, an avid sailor from Massachusetts. Mark's sailing journey began on a small lake, where he first developed his passion for the sport. Now, he enjoys exploring the beautiful coastline of New England, navigating its waters and seeking out some of the best sailing destinations in the region. Our conversation delves into the world of sailing, wi...