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Before Sailing Doodles, I spent years flying Gulfstream private jets around the world, and for about six to eight months I was one of the primary copilots flying Aerosmith on tour. Most nights we'd watch the show, leave halfway through to get the jet ready, then fly the band to their next city as soon as they came off stage. But one night, flying Aerosmith home to Boston, I noticed something strange in the cockpit. One of our fuel temperature gauges was climbing rapidly—and eventually pegged at 110°C. There was no warning light. No alarm. And Aerosmith had no idea anything was wrong. In this episode, I tell the story of what it was really like flying Aerosmith on tour, what happened that night, and how we got them safely home without the band ever knowing there was a problem.

In this episode I’m answering your questions about what’s happening with my electric catamaran, whether I’m keeping it, selling it, or moving back to diesel.

Back in 2004, I was a young Gulfstream III copilot flying celebrities around the world—and one of our regular passengers was Snoop Dogg. On one particular trip, our company was bringing Snoop and his entourage home from Brazil. I joined the trip in Brownsville, Texas, where the airplane had to clear U.S. Customs and Immigration before continuing on to California. Customs knew who was coming, and they were ready. Officers met the airplane with a drug dog and thoroughly searched the jet. They even tested the dog during the inspection. Nothing was found, everyone cleared Customs, and we departed for California. Then, shortly after takeoff, I smelled something coming from the back of the airplane that sure smelled like marijuana. To this day, I have no idea what actually happened. I never saw anyone with marijuana, didn't know of anything being aboard, and don't know whether what I smelled had ever been on the international flight. But after watching that Customs inspection firsthand, I remember sitting in the cockpit thinking, “How the hell is this possible?” In this episode, I tell the full story, along with what it was like being a young charter pilot flying Snoop Dogg and other celebrities during one of the wildest periods of my aviation career—and why I'm glad smartphones weren't around back then.

What is it actually like to own a superyacht? I sit down with my friend Bob, who has owned yachts ranging from 65 feet all the way up to 165 feet, to get an inside look at the reality of superyacht ownership. We talk about what these boats really cost to buy and operate, hiring and managing crew, maintenance, scheduling, fuel, marinas, itineraries, and all the logistics that come with owning a yacht of this size. If you’ve ever dreamed about owning a superyacht—or just wondered how the ultra-wealthy actually manage these massive boats—Bob gives a candid look at everything that goes on behind the scenes. From a 65-foot yacht to a 165-foot superyacht, how much does the experience really change, and at what point does owning a yacht become more like running a business? Check out Bob's boats for sale: The Horizon 94: https://alliedmarine.com/used-yachts-for-sale/2005-horizon-94-ft-yacht-for-sale-9284132/ The Pershing 70: https://s3.amazonaws.com/boss.yatco.com/Account/17560/Files/f832b6f6-1f8a-4188-91a1-92c2ae22241d/BAD_DADDY.pdf Here is the link to my CT56 for sale: https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1989-ta-chiao-ct-56-10282803/

I’m recording this episode from the roof of my RV in the middle of Black Rock City at Burning Man 2026. Burning Man has grown from a small gathering on a San Francisco beach into a temporary city of more than 70,000 people in the Nevada desert. But after decades of explosive growth, something is changing. Tickets that once sold out almost instantly are now easier to get. The average Burner is getting older, fewer people in their 20s are attending, and the cost of participating continues to climb. At the same time, the nonprofit organization behind Burning Man reported a loss of more than $10 million in 2024. In this episode, I look at the history of Burning Man, how it became what it is today, and some of my own experiences attending the event. Then we dig into the numbers: attendance, ticket prices, demographics, rising production costs, and Burning Man Project's finances. So is Burning Man actually dying? Has it simply become too expensive for a younger generation? Or is this just the natural evolution of an event that's been around for 40 years? And most importantly—what does Burning Man actually feel like in 2026? Recorded from Black Rock City, Nevada.

In this episode, I sit down with Gabriel, whose list of adventures is almost hard to believe. Most recently, he completed the legendary Northwest Passage aboard a 48-foot steel-hull trawler, navigating some of the most remote and challenging waters on Earth. But that’s only one chapter of his story. He has also circumnavigated the globe on a 48-foot sailboat, climbed Mount Everest, completed the Seven Summits, and swam the English Channel. We spend nearly an hour and a half talking about what it actually takes to attempt adventures like these—the preparation, the danger, the moments when things go wrong, and some incredible stories from places very few people ever get to experience. We talk about sailing through the Arctic, climbing the highest mountains on every continent, crossing oceans, swimming the English Channel, and what keeps someone searching for the next big adventure after already accomplishing so much. This is a different style of episode for the podcast, and one I’ve been wanting to do more of: sitting down with interesting people who have lived extraordinary lives and letting them tell the stories themselves. Enjoy the conversation. here is the link to buy "Iron Will" https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2006-custom-sprague-9996693/

I’ve spent years living and traveling on boats, but lately I’ve been back on the road in the RV — and it got me thinking: which lifestyle is actually better? In this podcast, I compare RV life vs boat life from someone who has lived both. We talk about the cost, maintenance, freedom, comfort, travel, adventure, social life, living with dogs, and all the little things that make each lifestyle amazing — and frustrating. RV life is definitely easier in a lot of ways, but does boat life offer something you just can’t get on land? And the bigger question… could I ever give up boat life for RV life? Let me know in the comments: if you could choose only one, would you live on an RV or a boat?

For most of human history, people who felt trapped by their circumstances could leave everything behind and head toward a new frontier. They could escape their social class, family reputation, past failures, or limited opportunities and try to build something entirely new. But do those kinds of fresh starts still exist? In this episode, I explore why starting over may be harder today than it was for previous generations, why fewer people are willing to risk everything, and whether the world has simply run out of places where your past does not define your future. I also share a story from my own family history about an ancestor who, according to the story passed down through my family, was the thirteenth son of an English lord. With little chance of inheriting anything, he left England for the New World to build a life of his own. We discuss the influence of the frontier on American ambition and entrepreneurship, the uncomfortable truth that these lands were never actually empty, and whether technology, space, artificial intelligence, international living, and online businesses have become the new frontiers. Maybe there are no truly undiscovered places left. But perhaps the biggest frontier has always been the decision to walk away from the life you were given and attempt to create a different one. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

I’m back with the second half of my patron Q&A, and this time we’re talking about what kind of boat I should buy for my next adventure. Would a diesel Sea Ray-style express cruiser work for Florida, the Keys, the Bahamas, and potentially farther into the Caribbean? Or would I be better off with a trawler, a traditional motor yacht, or something designed for longer-range cruising? I discuss the features, size, speed, dinghy setup, and practical limitations I would consider before buying. I also answer questions about whether I would collaborate with high-performance powerboat channels, meeting up with other content creators while traveling, and how Cougar and Merlin react to the constant stream of new people joining the boat. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Let me know what boat you think would make the best next chapter for Sailing Doodles. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

A few weeks ago I shared an idea that I thought could completely change the way people experience luxury sailing. Then I asked for your feedback. Hundreds of comments later—and one incredibly detailed blog from a viewer—I realized I had made some major mistakes. In this episode I explain what I got wrong, why the original model probably wouldn't work, and the new direction I'm considering. We dive into whole-boat memberships vs. cabin memberships, pricing, charter economics, premium weeks, refundable deposits, and how this idea might actually become a real business. I still don't know if this will ever happen, but it's already a much better idea because of your feedback. As always, I'd love to hear what you think. Would you join something like this? What would you change? Here is Sam's Blog post: https://sveoti.net/an-open-letter-to-bob-white-sailing-doodles-buying-a-yacht-for-you/ Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

In this patron Q&A podcast, I answer some of the most common—and most interesting—questions viewers have been asking. I talk about what happened with recent crew members, how I find people to join the boat, the couple who were supposed to launch a Sailing Doodles spin-off channel, whether I’m in a relationship, my changing thoughts about Thailand, plans for the new catamaran, the Mediterranean, the flotilla, and whether I’m seriously considering buying a motor yacht and doing the Great Loop. I also tell a disturbing offshore story about a friend who hired a delivery captain to sail his yacht from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. In the middle of the Atlantic, the captain suffered a serious mental-health crisis and threatened to jump overboard. My friend had to change course and divert the yacht to the Azores so the captain could safely get ashore and receive help. It raises an important question: what do you do when someone panics, becomes unstable, or simply cannot handle being at sea—with nowhere nearby to get off the boat? Thanks to all the patrons and viewers who submitted questions. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

What if there was a better way to own a luxury yacht? I've been working on a business idea that I honestly can't decide is brilliant... or completely crazy. Imagine having access to a $1.4 million sailing catamaran that cruises the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Thailand and beyond, without having to buy the whole boat yourself. In this episode I walk through the concept, the numbers, the challenges, and the biggest objections I've already heard. Most importantly, I want YOUR feedback. Would you join something like this? What would make you say yes... and what would make you run away? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback may completely change this idea. Fill out the survey if you want to go in on this with me! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5cP4pI-etL7w761rhN6DqTA81sLEbRsI0KTpkF3Jhf31-kg/viewform?usp=dialog Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodle

In this episode, I talk through a big realization about the future of Sailing Doodles: because of location, weather, and cruising seasons, I may only be able to film on my new catamaran about four months a year. That creates a real problem. If I want to keep making consistent boat content, I may need a second boat. So I’m thinking about buying a smaller motor yacht to keep in Florida and use for cruising the Bahamas, and maybe even doing parts of the Great Loop. I go through the different types of boats I’m considering, what makes sense for the channel, what fits the budget, diesel vs gas, speed vs efficiency, and whether a motor yacht could be the right move for the next chapter. Is this a smart backup plan, or am I just trying to talk myself into buying another boat?

Most people have a dream. Maybe it’s sailing around the world, building a cabin in the mountains, starting a farm, opening a business, moving overseas, or just walking away from a life that looks successful on paper but doesn’t actually make you happy. But most people never do it. Not because the dream is impossible, but because they keep waiting until they’re ready. In this episode, I talk about why I believe you have to set a date, prepare as best you can, and then go. My dream was sailing around the world on a yacht, but this isn’t just about sailing. It’s about risk, freedom, time, work, and the trap of waiting for the perfect moment. I also talk about leaving a good career, the idea of “no risk, no reward,” why doing nothing is also a risk, and why chasing the dream might not work out exactly how you planned — but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth doing. You can always get another job. You can’t always get another life. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

In this episode, I’m answering your questions from Patreon, YouTube members, and the Sailing Doodles app. We start with the big one: my recent health scare, the blood clots and thrombosis, whether it could be connected to my past stroke, how medical care has been overseas, and what recovery might look like from here. Then we get into the questions everyone always wants answered: What’s going on with Olivia? Is she coming back to the boat? What happened with the Brazilian girl? Will Chloe or Sailing Miss Lone Star return? I also talk about the dogs, the future of the new Island Spirit 525e, what the delivery crew thought of the boat, the electrical and solar questions, the damaged old hull, possible cruising plans, the Med, the Pacific, RV travel, Burning Man, and what’s next for Sailing Doodles. Thanks for all the questions, support, and well wishes. It has been a strange and stressful chapter, but I’m doing my best to stay positive and figure out the path forward. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles