The Mariner

Join me 250 Nm west of Madeira as I negotiate my way through the Azores high on my qualifying passage on board the 80 ft yacht Osprey for the 2027 Global solo challenge round the world yacht race   If you would like to join me for many more deep dives on topic's like: MOB recovery, heavy weather tactics and offshore seamanship, check out:   Patreon & Youtube Membership    To support the produc...

It’s been a while since I last recorded an episode. A friend put it perfectly the other night — I’ve been “down below, sheltering.” There’s been a lot to deal with, but I’ve come through it. Right now I’m lying alongside in Cherbourg, France, aboard Osprey — our 85-foot maxi — with a brand-new mainsail, surrounded by some of the best sailors and sailing service providers in the world. Ahead of us...

In this episode you join me on deck as we enter the Needles Channel, en route to Southampton, to pick up the crew for the Fastnet Expedition 2025.  This comes at the end of a 3500Nm solo  transatlantic voyage, on the 80 foot maxi, Osprey. 94 days before, in Nova Scotia, sick and stuck on the mooring, I set myself the challenge to get Osprey into the Centenary edition of the world's most famous off...

This episode tells the full story of the sail that’s been with me through it all — my old Open 60 mainsail, which, although it has impossibly high mileage (100,000nm!), has proven indefatigable, indestructable and faithful right through to the end. But, it’s about more than gear. It’s about the kind of grit and grace it takes to keep going when the world says you shouldn’t, whatever your passion m...

Thank you to everyone who’s already signed up to receive a piece of Osprey’s mainsail—the same sail that’s carrying me toward the UK right now. Your $100 pledges at the 'solo' tier on Patreon, are going straight to my beautiful tnew 197 sqm /2150 sqft mainsail that was just finished, that we will be using for the Centenary Fastnet. https://www.patreon.com/themariner/shop/own-piece-of-mainsail-that...

Join me today on deck, onboard Osprey, my 85ft Maxi, as I complete my 33rd Transat, headed to England, to join the Centenary Fastnet Race and everything that lies beyond. You are not going to want to miss this one. The Mariner is BACK! Follow the story with DAILY videos over on the Mariner YouTube Channel Tenacity in Pursuit What if a piece of torn sailcloth could remind you what commitment looks...

In this episode we look at an MOB incident in the 2024 Round the Island Race in which a crew of five were inundated by a following sea off St. Catherine's Point, UK resulting in one tethered MOB, one MOB clear of the vessel with only a short distance to a lee shore... Oh and the skipper broke his leg in the knock down. Both MOB's were recovered without injury, but there is a lot to look at as I ta...

Today, we're diving into the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau's (MAIB) report on the 2006 Roaring Meg of Cowes incident, where two crew were seriously injured in two crash gybes that happened within minutes of each other. I'll be sharing insights as a professional sailor, examining what went wrong and the crucial lessons we can learn.  If you would like to join me for more deep dives on topic'...

Join us in this episode as we delve into the nuanced art of headsail trimming, guided by the wisdom of Captain W.H. Illingworth's 'Offshore' (1948). We explore often overlooked aspects of headsail trim, including car positioning, halyard tension, forestay sag and more. Discover how these techniques can optimize your performance and elevate your sailing experience.   If you would like to join me fo...

Spinnaker poles have three bits of rigging holding them in place we all know that, but it often comes as a shock when sailors realize they have been missing the third (and arguably the most important) piece of rigging on their main boom. Preventers save lives- it's just that simple. Please take time to listen to this podcast and update your knowledge on preventers and check out the Mariner Youtube...

This episode we learn key elements the skipper of a vessel in heavy weather should keep in mind, to keep his vessel sound & her crew safe. Capt. Illingworth was a submarine commander in WWII as well as a racing skipper, and therefore had a better measure than most as to the thoughts uppermost in a skipper's mind in heavy conditions. I hope my communication of his ideas into this new medium doe...

I started this series of Advanced Seamanship Notes (Episodes 115-117) to bring to light specific areas of sailing knowledge which are A. difficult to locate in sailing resources on-line or off, and B. provided by a Mariner who is recognizably a 'Master' - in the true sense of the word.  Captain J H Illingworth was considered the 'father of offshore sailing & racing' in postwar Britain. He star...

I started this series of Advanced Seamanship Notes (Episodes 115-117) to bring to light specific areas of sailing knowledge which are A. difficult to locate in sailing resources on-line or off, and B. provided by a Mariner who is recognizably a 'Master' - in the true sense of the word.  Captain J H Illingworth was considered the 'father of offshore sailing & racing' in postwar Britain. He star...

I started this series of Advanced Seamanship Notes (Episodes 115-117) to bring to light specific areas of sailing knowledge which are A. difficult to locate in sailing resources on-line or off, and B. provided by a Mariner who is recognizably a 'Master' - in the true sense of the word.  Captain J H Illingworth was considered the 'father of offshore sailing & racing' in postwar Britain. He star...

L is for many things at sea, but as always, I wanted to find something that would make us stop & think maybe and see things afloat from a new angle. This episode gives us the opportunity to discuss things as divergent as structural delamination and emotional overload, excessive crankcase oil pressure and fighting complacency as we get more experienced.  L is for Leaks and boy are there a lot! ...

Another Questions and Tangents Episode, this time we look at emails sent regarding, PTSD and shouting, sea sickness & the function of the ear, buying old race boats (and the fun they can be!) and much more. PLUS loads of me rambling on..... To support the production of this material please consider heading over to Patreon. where for $5 a month you can get access to more audio books, videos and...

Marine insurance is a massive heartache for many sailors who are doing slightly 'non-standard' things in sailing, whether it is crossing oceans, sailing solo or cruising with your family- often times it is very difficult to get a policy that will cover you.  I have faced this problem for years- this episode I discuss who I am now insured with and why and read the answers to questions I submitted t...

Sometimes we get the opportunity to sit at the hand of the master and hear first hand what is the best way to do something. This is the third part of one of those moments.  This episode I read the last section of the Appendix of Capt. Voss' book 'Venturesome Voyages' and if that leaves you feeling a little less than interested, don't worry, it's just because you don't' know who Capt. Voss is. I've...

Sometimes we get the opportunity to sit at the hand of the master and hear first hand what is the best way to do something. This is the second part of one of those moments.  This episode I read the second section of the Appendix of Capt. Voss' book 'Venturesome Voyages' and if that leaves you feeling a little less than interested, don't worry, it's just because you don't' know who Capt. Voss is. I...

Sometimes we get the opportunity to sit at the hand of the master and hear first hand what is the best way to do something. This is one of those moments.  This episode I read the Appendix of Capt. Voss' book 'Venturesome Voyages' and if that leaves you feeling a little less than interested, don't worry, it's just because you don't' know who Capt. Voss is. I've got you covered on that too. If you w...

Questions and Tangents #14 and this episode we continue down the rabbit hole regarding buying a used race boat. Recap Last time we discussed this I said, 'Don't do it - unless you REALLY want/ need to do it.' But as you did it anyway... (which I knew you would...) This time I'm saying- 'Since you can't take simple advice-;) here's 2 further hours of things to bear in mind.' I guess #3 (Owing a Rac...

So, after all your best efforts to prevent a Man Overboard Situation now your crew are in the water, and they are relying solely on you to not only come and find them; but also to do it in heavy seas, high winds and at night.  Shit. Let's explore the options when all hope appears lost, when only brute strength and the spark of ingenuity may be all you have to get the job done.   If you would like...

We've all done it, taken a quick nip onto the foredeck just do ' that thing' and suddenly we find ourselves realizing one wrong move and we are toast.  This episode looks to try to reconcile that kind of risk-taking to the garbage can and promote instead a deep instinctual suspicion that the sea does not actually care about you, is in no way impressed or 'wow'd' by your skill set and will take eve...

Today is the day of the solar eclipse across North America, the only one that will touch the continent until 2024 (when only three states will experience totality) therefore: Happy Solar Eclipse Day! I thought I would put a few thoughts down relating to the historical and scientific history of solar eclipses to give you Dad's EVEN more to amaze and thrill your kids with.... as you always do..... O...

Another Dogwatch, to relieve the anxiety I am starting to feel doing these safety at sea episodes back to back- my dreams have started to become very weird and threatening when i spend my days talking at length about everything that can or might go wrong at sea! This time we discuss autopilots v's wine vane steering, boat deliveries out of West Coast US cities and the complications therein and why...