In this episode of the podcast, Bela Musits interviews Chris D’Amelio.  Chris is a retired United States Coast Guard Surfman.  We discussed the many responsibilities a USCG Surfman has and several of the rescues Chris participated in.  Chris also wrote a book about his USCG experience titled, Life and Death at Cape Disappointment.  It is a great read and I highly recommend it. This is a really inspiring episode, so please give it a listen.  You can find Chris’ book on any of the online book...

In this episode of the podcast, Bela Musits interviews Merrill Charette - who co-founded an online marketplace for marine-related services called Shipshape.pro and is also the host of a podcast called SHIPSHAPE - International Ocean Insights.  Merrill also lives on his boat in Boston for 12 months of the year.  So he has a good understanding of live-aboard life in the cold weather.  We had a great conversation. You can learn more about Shipshape.pro here: https://shipshape.pro/ If you...

In this episode of the podcast, Bela Musits interviews Anni DiMonti.  She is a volunteer with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation organization.  We had a great conversation about whales and dolphins and what recreational mariners can do to protect these wonderful mammals.  Anni had great tips on what to do when you see a whale, how to report your sightings, and how to avoid causing any harm to them. You can find out more about Whale and Dolphin Conservation here: https://us.whales.org/ If...

In this episode of the podcast, Bela Musits interviews Simon and Sawyer, a father and son team who have just completed the final leg of their first Atlantic crossing.  In this leg, we discuss sailing from Spain to the UK with a stop in France.  They experienced weather delays, massive tides, traffic separation zones, and crossed the notorious Bay of Biscay.  As Simon said, “This was the most difficult part of our trip.” If you would like to listen to all of the episodes that chronicle their...

In this episode of the podcast, Bela Musits interviews Simon and Sawyer, a father and son team who have just completed their sail from Horta to Spain.  We are chronicling their first Atlantic crossing and this is leg two.  Leg one was sailing from Newport, Rhode Island, to Horta in the Azores.  In this episode, we discuss seas crowded with cargo ships, getting meds for sea sickness, and making meals. Ep 84 and 85 Preperatioins for sailing across the Atlantic EP 88 and 89 Newport to Horta...

In this podcast, Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman discuss the Summer of 2023 past 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. 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...

In this podcast, Bela Musits interviews Angela, who co-authored the book Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling. The book is about Heisten's experience traveling the world with her family in an RV.  I found the book to be perfect for those who want to embark on extended family travel. Wonder Year is part inspiration and part how-to, and it demystifies the seemingly outrageous prospect of taking a long-term family trip and using the world as a classroom for your...

In this podcast, Bela Musits interviews Jeff Wettig, a long-time sailing podcaster. Jeff started his podcast, Shooting the Breeze, in 2014 and has released over 170 episodes. It was one of the first sailing podcasts that I discovered and started listening to, so meeting Jeff was like meeting a rock star. Jeff is also an avid sailor on the Chesapeake Bay. We had a great conversation about sailing, podcasting, and life in general. You can find Jeff’s podcast...

In this episode of the podcast, which is part 2, Bela Musits interviews Simon and Sawyer, a father and son team who have just completed their first sail from Newport, Rhode Island, to Horta in the Azores. They were joined by Simon's father for the trip, making it a three-generation crossing of the Atlantic. Now that they have arrived in Horta, which is approximately two-thirds of the way across the Atlantic, we talk to them about their trip and how they are preparing to finish the final leg...

In this episode of the podcast, Bela Musits interviews Simon and Sawyer, a father and son team who have just completed their first sail from Newport, Rhode Island, to Horta in the Azores. They were joined by Simon's father for the trip, making it a three-generation crossing of the Atlantic. In previous episodes (EP-84 and EP-85), we talked to Simon and Sawyer about their preparations for their first Atlantic Ocean crossing in their Passport 40 sailboat. Now that they have arrived in Horta,...

This is the second part of a podcast in which Bela Musits interviews Mike Malekoff. Mike is a frequent guest on the show, and we have followed his journey from Burlington, Vermont on Lake Champlain south to the Bahamas. We now get an update on his return trip to the United States. If you missed part 1, check out episode 86. In this episode, Bela and Mike discuss Mike's experiences on his return trip, including the challenges he faced and the things he learned. They also talk about Mike's...

This is the first part of a podcast in which Bela Musits interviews Mike Malekoff. Mike is a recurring guest on the show, and we have followed his journey from Burlington, Vermont on Lake Champlain south to the Bahamas. We now get an update on his return trip to the United States.  In this episode, Bela and Mike discuss Mike's experiences on his return trip, including the challenges he faced and the things he learned. They also talk about Mike's plans for the future. If you would like to...

Welcome to part 2 of the podcast where Bela Musits interviews Simon and Sawyer, a father and son duo embarking on their first sail across the Atlantic. Simon's dad will also be joining, making it three generations on board. They are currently preparing their Passport 40 sailboat for the voyage and in this episode, we discuss the various elements of planning such a trip. In part 1, we covered in detail the preparation of the boat, and in this episode, we delve into ensuring the crew is ready...

In this episode of the podcast, Bela Musits interviews Simon and Sawyer, a father and son team, who will be sailing across the Atlantic for the first time.  They will also be joined by Simon’s dad for the trip, so it will be three generations crossing the Atlantic.  Simon and Sawyer were on the podcast back in EP-29.  Now they are prepping to cross the Atlantic in their Passport 40 sailboat.  We discussed all of the various elements of planning such a trip.  Most people tend to focus on...

On today’s podcast, we have a fascinating guest, Peter Gibbons-Neff.  Peter has entered the 2023 Mini-transat race.  This is a race where sailors race across the Atlantic Ocean solo, in 21 ft boats.  Peter is a US Marine veteran and is taking on this big challenge to support US Patriot Sailing.  US Patriot Sailing is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports Veterans by offering camaraderie, mission accomplishment, and new dynamic experiences through group sailing adventures.  They foster...

On today’s podcast, we are welcoming back a familiar face to our regular listeners. Mike Malekoff. Mike was a guest back in episodes 66, 72, 73, 77 & 78.  We have been following Mike and his wife on their journey from Lake Champlain in Vermont to the Bahamas.   They are now in the Bahamas and exploring many of the great destinations there.  Mike also talks about all of the things you need to know to be a cruiser, that they do not teach you in sailing school.  This is a two-part episode,...

On today’s podcast, we are welcoming back a familiar face to our regular listeners. Mike Malekoff. Mike was a guest back in episodes 66, 72, 73, 77 & 78.  We have been following Mike and his wife on their journey from Lake Champlain in Vermont to the Bahamas.   They are now in the Bahamas and exploring many of the great destinations there.  Mike also talks about all of the things you need to know to be a cruiser, that they do not teach you in sailing school.  This is a two-part episode,...

Our guest on today’s podcast is Mark Tieszen.  Mark is an experienced sailor who has one sailboat on the Great Lakes and another in Florida.  He shares with us how a coastal sail in Florida turned into a minor disaster as they hit bottom on the way into the harbor.  The momentary grounding resulted in a jammed rudder and loss of steerage.  They soon ended up washed ashore on the beach.  What happened next was the really interesting part of the story.  This is part two of our conversation,...

Our guest on today’s podcast is Mark Tieszen.  Mark is an experienced sailor who has one sailboat on the Great Lakes and another in Florida.  He shares with us how a coastal sail in Florida turned into a minor disaster as they hit bottom on the way into the harbor.  The momentary grounding resulted in a jammed rudder and loss of steerage.  What happened next was the really interesting part of the story.  This is part one of our conversation, make sure you listen to part two and the ensuing...

On today’s podcast, we are welcoming back a familiar face to our regular listeners. Mike Malekoff. Mike was a guest back in episodes 66, 72 & 73.  When we first met Mike, the goal for him and his wife was to sail from Lake Champlain in Vermont to the Bahamas.  In each episode, we have followed their progress. Back in EP-66, Mike was in the “dreaming and planning” stages for the trip.  In EP-72,  Mike shared with us the casting off of the lines in Burlington VT, and heading South via the...

On today’s podcast, we are welcoming back a familiar face to our regular listeners. Mike Malekoff. Mike was a guest back in episodes 66, 72 & 73.  When we first met Mike, the goal for him and his wife was to sail from Lake Champlain in Vermont to the Bahamas.  In each episode, we have followed their progress. Back in EP-66, Mike was in the “dreaming and planning” stages for the trip.  In EP-72,  Mike shared with us the casting off of the lines in Burlington VT, and heading South via the...

Today's guest on the podcast is Tim Geisler from Nautilus Sailing.   Tim founded the company and has taken a different approach to teaching sailing.  He employs the top-rated ASA sailing instructors that are typically former teachers.  So they not only know sailing, but they also know how to teach.  Nautilus Sailing runs week-long sailing instruction at destinations around the world.  It’s a great way to get your ASA certification in some of the most beautiful places.     You can check out...

This is the third time Joe Hagen has been on the podcast.  We always have a great conversation and I certainly learn a few things.  He is a long-time sailor and after retiring from corporate life several years ago, he started Offshore Adventure Sailing.  Joe’s first appearance on the podcast was on EP-11, then again on EP-46 and EP-47. In this episode, we discussed Joe’s adventures this past summer, including his trip up the Tom Tom waterway so he could have his boat close to his home in...

Hello and welcome to the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States podcast. This is my interview with Shay Love.  Shay is a live-aboard sailor and a singer/songwriter.  We had a wonderful conversation about how she got into sailing and then the steps she took to make it a reality.  She also just recently released a new set of songs. You can find all of her social info via this link: Linktr.ee/shay.love If you would like to support the podcast, we now have a Patreon page....

Hello and welcome to the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States podcast. This is part 2 of my interview with Mike Malekoff.  This is Mike’s second time on the podcast.  He was a guest in EP-66 where we discussed his plans for sailing from Lake Champlain to the Bahamas.  Well, the adventure has begun and in this episode, we continue our conversation with Mike on the trip so far. We talked about marinas, their first overnight passage, and buddy boating.  We had a long chat, so...