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 and son team, including sailing the boat back themselves, employing a captain and crew for the...

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 took prior to the crossing to refine their systems and techniques. Moreover, the podcast...

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 stopped working. If you are interested in learning how to sail, check out NauticEd. which is short...

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 podcast. Recognizing their shared interest, the trio decided to collaborate on a podcast episode. Gene, who has...

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 examinations, boats should receive similar attention to ensure their well-being. Conor highlights the crucial...

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 crucial factors such as weather analysis and strategic route selection. Emphasis is placed on the...

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 all levels, making it a must-listen for anyone who enjoys navigating the open waters. The...

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's profound expertise and unwavering passion for sailing are evident throughout the discussion as he expertly...

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 humid weather, and the occasional hurricane. Mike shares his firsthand experiences and the lessons he...

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 itself and the challenges Peter encountered along the way. We explore the highs and lows of his...

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 sailing in Florida and the Bahamas.. It’s a great episode, so be sure to subscribe and...

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  her from New England to the Bahamas. You can find more information about the Schionning Design...

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 sailing experience that sets it apart from traditional sailing schools. John's sail training is not...

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: Commanding Old Ironsides: The Life of Captain Silas Talbot It’s a great episode, so be sure...

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, with Mark sharing his experiences and insights, as well as some of the must-visit sailing spots in New...

In this episode, Bela Musits interviews Liam Kennedy. Liam recently purchased and moved aboard a sailboat. He learned to sail with his grandfather, who is now 92 and still sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. We discussed Liam's many years of sailing experience, his motivation for buying a cruising sailboat, moving aboard, and the sailing adventures he is planning. It’s a great episode, so be sure to subscribe and listen. If you would like to support the podcast, we now have a Patreon page. ...

In this podcast episode, Bela Musits interviews returning guest Mike Malekoff.  In previous episodes, we followed Mike's journey from Lake Champlain to the Bahamas and his return to the USA. While he meticulously planned his trip to the Bahamas, he hadn't quite figured out what he would do upon his return to the United States. Since Mike doesn't live on his boat full-time, he needed to find a place to store it during hurricane season. As it turns out, this task is not as simple as it sounds....

In this episode, Mike Wasserman and Bela Musits interview Chris Kubisiak. Chrisd is a repeat guest, as he was in EP-101. He is an organizational psychologist by training, but is a passionate sailor who actually got his start in racing, and has done a lot of chartering throughout the Gulf, in the Caribbean and a few more exotic destinations. Given his background in sailing and training as a psychologist, Mike and I thought it would be good to have a conversation about the psychology of...

In this episode, Bela Musits interviews Mark Teizen. He is a repeat guest, having been on the podcast in episodes 79 and 80.  This episode is the conclusion of the grounding of his Catalina 445 onto the beach and the subsequent refloating of the boat and repairs. Mark discusses the lessons he learned from the experience, including the repair process and tips for working with the repair facility. It’s a great episode, so be sure to subscribe and listen. If you would like to support the...

In this episode, Bela Musits interviews Carter Yepsen.  He recently purchased a sailboat and spent the Summer of 2023 sailing Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay and up to Marblehead.  He did much of the trip solo and finished up the Summer sailing his boat through NYC and up the Hudson River to Lake Champlain.   A remarkable summer for even the most savvy sailor, but other than a few charters, this is Carter's first Summer cruising. Let’s dive right into the...

In this episode, Mike Wasserman interviews Chris Kubisiak.  Chris is from Tampa Florida, one of the great sailing destinations in the United States.  Chris is an organizational psychologist by training, but is a passionate sailor who actually got his start in racing, and has done a lot of chartering throughout the Gulf, in the Caribbean and a few more exotic destinations.  He is also a broker that helps others buy and sell sailboats. You can contact Chris at [email protected] It’s a...

In this episode, co-hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman reflect on the 100 episodes they have produced and look ahead to future adventures. One of the things they reflect on is the diversity of ways people sail. They have interviewed people who sail casually on weekends, people who are taking their first long passage, serious and casual racers, and people who live aboard their sailboats. There is an extensive range of ways people experience sailing. The episodes also discuss destinations...

Bela Musits interviews Doug Milburn.  Doug lives in Nova Scotia and is a lifelong sailor.  He has sailed monohulls and more recently has been focusing on performance catamarans.  We talked about sailing, sailboats, and the many wonderful places for a sailor to visit in Nova Scotia. If you would like to support the podcast, we now have a Patreon page.  Just go to Patreon.com/sailingtheeast.   Our podcast is now also available on YouTube, just search for “Sailing the...

Bela Musits interviews Larry Friedman in this episode of the podcast. Bela met Larry three summers ago at the Shafe Harbor Cove Haven marina. Larry retired several years ago and, along with his wife, lives full-time on a cruising power catamaran. They spend summers in New England and winters in Florida. Larry shares what they have learned traveling down the East Coast of the United States twice a year. He also discusses why they purchased their power catamaran and the process of moving onto...