The Mariner

133 | Good Things Ahead 😀

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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’...

132 | Entering the Needles Channel at 15 knots.

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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.  T...

131 | The Mainsail That Would Not Die

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

130 | 5 Years of The Mariner Podcast - Now I Need a Little Support From You

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

129 | The Mariner Returns

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 everyth...

128 | Accident Investigation | MOB & Injury | Round the Island Race 2024

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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. Catheri...

127 | Accident Investigation | Roaring Meg of Cowes | Crash Gybes & Serious Injuries

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 serio...

126 | Advanced Seamanship Notes | Capt. Illingworth | Headsail Trim

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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). W...

125 | Preventers - Widely Misunderstood & Absolutely Essential.

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

124 | Advanced Seamanship Notes | Capt. Illingworth | Heavy Weather

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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. I...

123 | Advanced Seamanship Notes | Capt. Illingworth | Beating to Windward

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

122 | Advanced Seamanship Notes | Capt. Illingworth | Ocean Racing Strategy

14 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

121 | Advanced Seamanship Notes | Capt. Illingworth | Waves & Wave Riding

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

120 | The ABC of Sailing | L is for Leaks

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 angl...

119 | Questions & Tangents | PTSD & Shouting | Seasickness | Autopilots

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Another Questions and Tangents Episode, this time we look at emails sent regarding, PTSD and shouting, sea sickness & the function of the ear, buy...

118 | Marine Insurance | Who I Use & My Research

17 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Marine insurance is a massive heartache for many sailors who are doing slightly 'non-standard' things in sailing, whether it is crossing oceans, saili...

117 | Advanced Seamanship Notes | Capt. Voss | Heavy Weather in Small Vessels | Part 3

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

116 | Advanced Seamanship Notes | Capt. Voss | Heavy Weather in Small Vessels | Part 2

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

115 | Advanced Seamanship Notes | Capt. Voss | Heavy Weather in Small Vessels | Part 1

11 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 momen...

#114 | Questions & Tangents | So, You Bought an Old Race Boat Anyway.

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 sa...

#113 | Safety at Sea | Easy MOB Recovery & Other Fantastic Myths

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 co...

#112 | Safety at Sea | How to AVOID MOB Situations

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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....

#111 | Deep Dives | Solar Eclipse = Wolf Eating the Sun

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 experie...

#110 | Dogwatch | Autopliots V's Wind Vanes | US West Coast Deliveries | Curved.Traveler Tracks

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

#109 | Safety at Sea | Dismasting, Lost Steering & Other Sailing Nightmares

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Losing the mast, rudder or even a single hatch cover at sea in heavy weather can be catastrophic, unless you have been playing the 'what if' game for ...

#108 | Safety at Sea | Heavy Weather Tactics

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whenever anyone meets me and hears I am a sailor, the first question is always 'have you been in a big storm?' Well, the answer unsurprisingly is yes,...

#107 | The ABC of Sailing | K is for Ketches, Yawls & Schooners

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we discuss ketches, yawls and schooners as part of the ABC of sailing, and I explore what are the pitfalls and joys of owning and operati...

#106 | Safety at Sea | What to do BEFORE Heavy Weather Hits

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Another instalment of my review & expansion of the RYA Sea Survival Handbook, by Keith Colwell. This episode I spend an hour just going through al...

#105 | Safety at Sea | The Most Boring Safety Information Possible | Made Tolerable

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I continue this series, following the excellent RYA Sea Survival Handbook, by Keith Colwell. Today we look at interpreting the specifics ...

#104 | Questions & Tangents | Maybe Don't Buy an Old Race Boat

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This time I answer the one burning question every sailor needs to know the answer to: Is there some way buying an old race boat is a good idea. My tak...

#103 | Dog Watch | BS about Bellropes & AI Advice on Surviving the Apocalypse Afloat

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

AI wrote this description. It added the word 'hypothetical' FYI. Embrace the unexpected as Chris jests about how sailboats can serve as ideal bug-out ...

#102 | Safety at Sea | Surviving Your Rescue

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

 This episode dives once more into the seldom-explored realm of life rafts, highlighting the importance of visibility, stability, and utility in surv...

#101 | Safety at Sea | Rustling up a Meal in a Liferaft & Rescue Comms with Aircraft.

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we wrap up our look at surviving in a life raft.  What is plainly apparent from this six episode deep dive on the life raft is that ther...

#100 | Dogwatch | Did Josh Slocum Die at Sea? | Heaving-to in a Race Boat | Sail Boats as Bug Out Vehicles

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 100 and a new bight-sized (!) format to increase the subjects I can get too and allw me to speak about things that maybe somewhat off topic in...

#99 | Safety at Sea | Abandoning Ship 5 | Fresh Water- the Liferaft Survivors' Nemesis

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Water, water everywhere: and not a drop to drink. When there are only a few pints of water to drink in the life raft and no indication of immediate re...

#98 | Safety at Sea | Part 11 | Abandoning Ship 4

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we continue our in-depth look at chapter 7 of Keith Colwell's Sea Survival Handbook, specifically entering a liferaft and the vast amount...

#97 | The ABC of Sailing | J is for Jargon

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I continue the ABC of sailing, with the letter J. and 'J is for Jargon' This time I look at the history, benefits and disadvantages...

#96 | Questions & Tangents 12 | Over-riding Turns, Poor Winch Placememt & Finding Warm Gloves for Sailing

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we discuss Youtube viewer questions relating to: 1. Over rides on winches, how do they happen, how to avoid them and how to deal with ...

#95 | Safety at Sea | Part 10 | Abandoning Ship 3

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing with the lunchtime recording sessions (while my two year old is having his nap (!), this time we are looking at what happens after you have...

#94 | Safety at Sea | Part 9 | Abandoning Ship 2

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we continue the brilliant RYA Sea Survival Handbook by Keith Colwell This time we are looking at Abandoning Ship!, words that should d...

#93 | Safety at Sea | Stepping UP into the Life Raft

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This time we are looking at Abandoning Ship!, words that should drive an icy spear into any good skippers heart! This section of the book will take a ...

#92 | Questions & Tangents 11 | The 1974 'Orgy of Destruction on Barnstaple Beach'

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Questions and Tangents ! As always I get to talk about kinda whatever I want in these episodes, and this week it's a newspaper article from 1974 that'...

#91 | Safety at Sea | Part 7 | The Psychology of Survival

14 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we continue reviewing the excellent, RYA Sea Survival Handbook by Keith Colwell with a look at the psychological tactics that must be emp...

#90 | ABC of Sailing | I is for Information Availability at Sea

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing the ABC of basic sailing concepts series, I take a look in this episode at the modern revolution in information collection, exchange and pr...

#89 | Global Solo Challenge | Intro to the racers already on the water.

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is the first I am going to do about the Global Solo Challenge Race that I intend to join in early December.  I'm still a little way off ...

#88 | Don’t Pay the Ransom, I Escaped!

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a long time since I published a podcast and I finally I found after many, many attempts that the only way to get back on the horse was to ju...

#87 | Interview | Offshore Sailing & Cruising with Paul Trammell

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I thought I would share with you an interview I did month or so ago with Paul Trammell on his wonderful podcast 'Offshore Sailing and Cru...

#86 | My Perfect Boat | William Nutting | Founder of the Cruising Club of America

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The features that make 'The Perfect Boat' are an area of sailing that walks the narrow line between philosophical & scientific truth.  Historically i...

#85 | Notes on Cold Water Resistance Training & Abandonment Technique

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I found an interesting document on a pen drive over the weekend- given to me by the organizers of the Velux 5 Race  10 years ago, it was a series fo ...

#84 | Safety at Sea | Part 6 | Calling for Help

31 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After centuries of sailors, praying and hoping for a 'magic button' with which to save their lives far from shore on the briney deep, we are now in th...

#83 | Questions & Tangents 9 | The ’MOJE’ MOB system, Dutchman mainsail reefing & 36ft boats in the Southern Ocean

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Questions & tangents returns for the last time in 2022 and I have lots to get through, questions I cover this episode range from Man Overboard recover...

#82 | Safety at Sea | Part 5 | Liferafts

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Liferafts are probably the least understood part of the safety equipment on a modern yacht- sure you know where it is (probably), what it does (maybe)...

#81 | The Mariner | The Halifax Explosion

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At 0904 on the 6th December 1917 a massive explosion ripped through Halifax, Nova Scotia instantly killing 1600 people, injuring 9000 and destroying t...

#80 | The Mariner | Entering ’The Global Solo Challenge’ in 2023

04 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Although we have had a few false starts with a round the world sailing project since the podcast began in early 2020- I think everyone will recognize ...

#79 |The Mariner | The ABC of Sailing | H is for Handling Lines

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we investigate handling lines- a wide and varied subject that tests my abilities to stay on subject and not launch into exponential ta...

#78 | Questions & Tangents 8 | Aviation VHF Frequencies | Dehler Sails | The Lesson of the Rocks

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Questions & Tangents is your opportunity to get to the bottom of those nautical problems that keep you awake in the middle of the night such as, 'Is e...

#77 | The Mariner | On Deck Report | Icelandic Island Channel

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another on deck report! This time passing through islands just before I arrive in Iceland. It’s super light winds, flat seas and a rare opportunity ...

#76 | The Mariner | Safety at Sea | MOB Report | Newport Bermuda Race 2022

12 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The loss of Colin Golder from his boat 'Morgan of Mariette' in the 2022 Newport Bermuda Race shocked the race officers and participants alike. In this...

#75 | The Mariner | The Triangle of Bermuda

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No mistake made in the title! I wish to put forth the concept that we should be referring to the 'Triangle of Bermuda' rather than the 'Bermuda Triang...

#74 | The Mariner | Safety at Sea | Part 4 | Lifejackets

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue to move through the excellent RYA Sea Survival Handbook by Keith Colwell we come to the piece of safety equipment that most sailors hav...

#73 | The Mariner | Book Review | The Bombard Story | Dr Alain Bombard

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Something different! a book review of one of the books I have just read over on my other podcast Rare Nautical Reads   This is my thoughts having jus...

#72 | The Mariner | On Deck Report | Sept ’22 | Pentland Firth

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another on deck report and in this one you join me sneaking through the Pentland Firth, a narrow channel at the very top of the Uk mainland.  It's mi...

#71 | The Mariner | Safety at Sea | Part 3 | Survival In Cold Water

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sea Survival - Cold Water Survival It is one of my greatest fears. entering cold water in an uncontrolled manner and dying prematurely due to my lack ...

#70 | The Mariner | On Deck Report | Sept ’22 | North Sea

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

First On Deck Report For the longest time I have been struggling with how to create a podcast episode at sea with all of the environmental noises that...

#69 | The Mariner | Safety at Sea | Part 2 | Before You Depart

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 I did my Safety at Sea course last weekend and I was struck by how compressed the time was for the course- only 2 days or 8 hrs to learn a HUGE...

#68 |The Mariner | Safety At Sea | Part 1 | Before You Depart

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I did my Safety at Sea course this last weekend and I was struck by how compressed the time was for the course- only 2 days or 8 hrs to learn a HUGE a...

#67 | Questions & Tangents | Traditonal Backstays v’s Flat Top Mains | How to be a Good Skipper

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I tackle some longer, more in-depth questions sent by Patreon supporters. We will be looking at options to replace traditional backsta...

#66 | The Mariner | ABC of Sailing | G is for Gybing (& Tacking!)

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we investigate 'G is for Gybing' (Jibing for those in North America!) as part of our on-going 'ABC of Sailing' . I discuss what it's like...

#65 | The Mariner Podcast | Questions & Tangents | 7

27 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Questions & Tangents is your opportunity to get to the bottom of those nautical problems that keep you awake in the middle of the night such as, 'Is e...

#64 | The Mariner Podcast | News & Views | European Geopolitical Boundaries & The Monroe Doctrine

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another discussion about the situation in Ukraine- this time focusing on exactly why Russia would choose to launch an attack against the Ukraine at th...

#63 | The Mariner Podcast | Seamanship | Dealing with High Winds at Sea

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I delve into some of the issues around heading into high winds whilst at sea. Bilge pumps, boat design, skills acquisition, crew dynamics...

The Mariner Podcast #62: ’Sailing Alone Around the World’ Chapters 19 &20

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I read the penultimate chapters of Joshua Slocum's fantastic circumnavigation story 'Sailing Alone Around the World'.   This long pla...

The Mariner Podcast #61: Noah’s Ark- The Original Offshore Live-aboard!

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I discuss the story of Noah's Ark.  I have to admit that until I researched this episode I did not fully realize that until the early...

The Mariner Podcast #60: Thoughts on the Crisis in the Ukraine

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of the Mariner is very different from previous episodes- I have decided to speak a little about my understanding of what is going on in t...

The Mariner Podcast #59: F is for Flat Earth

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst the news that 'Flat Earth' is even 'a thing' may be new to you- what will come as a much larger shock is that 1% (3.8 million) of the US popula...

The Mariner Podcast #58: The Nova Race #1

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I discuss my ideas for a new race- The Nova Round the World Yacht Race. With the Classic Challenge division of the Ocean Globe Race now c...

The Mariner Podcast #57:‘Sailing Alone Around the World‘ Chapters 17 & 18

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I read the penultimate episode of Capt. Joshua Slocum's 'Sailing Alone Around the World'. In these chapters (17 &18) Slocum is app...

The Mariner Podcast #56: Veterans Ocean Globe Race 2023

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I discuss what Remembrance Day means to me, I read some poetry that I hope illuminates the timeless difficulties veterans have faced once...

The Mariner Podcast #55: Managing High Winds @ Moorings

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The start of a four part mini series, this episode looks at one aspect of dealing with high winds   with your boat- namely on a mooring. I discuss h...

The Mariner Podcast #54: Questions & Tangents 5

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I read some more listener questions and ramble on into long winded tangents about subjects that are vaguely connected to the original ...

The Mariner Podcast #53: E is for Estimated Position Error

03 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we explore Estimated Position Error as a improving function of the 5,000 year history of Navigation.  While today's nav technology wo...

The Mariner Podcast #52: Joshua Slocum‘s ‘Sailing Alone Around the World‘ Chapters 15 & 16

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we rejoin Capt Joshua Slocum, sailing single handed around the world in 1895- this week he is sailing up the coast of Queensland and t...

The Mariner Podcast #51: Finally - It‘s Time to go Sailing Again!

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Finally, after 18 months of sitting on our hands waiting for some semblance of 'normal' to return to the world - Spartan Ocean Racing is ready to get ...

The Mariner Podcast #50: My 30th Atlantic Crossing

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I finish up the story of the delivery of the Maxi 'Weddell' to Nova Scotia. Whilst the voyage its' self was not very eventful (just the w...

The Mariner Podcast #49: A Maxi by Any Other Name.

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There has been a break in the podcast due to me travelling to Europe to pick up a new boat for the Veteran's Sailing Program, but I'm back now and wha...

The Mariner Podcast #48: How to Recover a Man Overboard

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I announce the winners of the Patreon prize draw which gives three lucky listeners the opportunity to join me on board one of our race bo...

#46 | Sailing Alone Around the World | Chapters 13 & 14

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I continue reading Capt. Joshua Slocum's excellent narrative of his solo circumnavigation of the world in 1895. In Chapters 13 &14...

#46 | ABC of Sailing | D is for Damage

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we explore D is for Damage and as always it's me shooting right from the hip discussing this crucial subject as we would sat on the de...

The Mariner Podcast #45: Questions & Tangents 4

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As always Questions & Tangents 5 hovers close to the optimal track suggested by this week's listener questions before tacking off onto a flyer to ...

The Mariner Podcast #44: The Northwest Passage

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I discuss the strange story of Dr. John Rae, a man struck from history by the wife of the famous/infamous Arctic explorer Sir John Fra...

The Mariner Podcast #43: C is for Cooking

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The episode we explore the third subject of our on-going 'ABC of Boating' with C is for Cooking. Food, food preparation and its effect on crew morale,...

The Mariner Podcast #42: Review- Helly Hansen 'Aegir' Ocean Waterproofs

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I discuss the early origins of waterproof clothing and the designs that have developed over the centuries to a point were, now- we at lea...

The Mariner Podcast #41: Sailing Alone Around the World, Chapters 11 & 12

25 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I continue reading Capt. Joshua Slocum's excellent narrative of his solo circumnavigation of the world in 1895. In chapters 11 & 1...

The Mariner Podcast #40: Questions & Tangents 3

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I read listener's questions and then proceed to talk abut whatever comes into my head working on the basis that if it is somewhat related...

The Mariner Podcast #39: News & Views 3

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode I cover the recent updates concerning the proposed Olympic Offshore Racing event, The Global Ocean Race and the plan we are developing to...

The Mariner Podcast #38: B is for Boat

18 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we continue the Alphabet of Boating and I have selected the most basic of terms to cover at this early stage in an effort to lay a wid...

The Mariner Podcast #37: Sailing Alone Around the World, Chapters 9 &10

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I continue reading Capt. Joshua Slocum's excellent narrative of his solo circumnavigation of the world in 1895. In this episode- pushe...

The Mariner Podcast #36: Interview with Rob Phillips

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I interview Rob Philips who is both a friend from various Spartan offshore adventures and also one of the cast of the new series of 'B...

The Mariner Podcast #35: A is for Anchoring

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode I start a new series intended to deep dive into various seamanship topic, organized only by their relationship to the alphabet! This s...

The Mariner Podcast #34: News & Views 2

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

  This one is a little racing heavy but then there are some pretty interesting races going on!  I take a quick look at the Vendee Leaders, the capsi...