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Welcome back aboard The Sailing Podcast! In Episode 27, host Theo Stocker and Yachting World Editor Helen Fretter return for Part 2 of their in-depth interview with British solo sailing icon Mike Golding OBE. After dominating the Westabout route in the BT Global Challenge, Mike stepped into the high-tech world of IMOCA 60 racing and the Vendée Globe. Mike recounts the terrifying realities of solo racing in the Southern Ocean, the technical evolution of carbon vs. forged steel keels, and what it truly takes to endure when everything goes wrong. In Part 2, Mike opens up about: Hitting 90-Mile Beach: Leading the Around Alone race by eight days before an electronic chart error brought his boat onto the New Zealand sand. The Marion Island Nightmare: Getting stuck at the top of a 90ft rig, slicing his head open, jumping into the mainsail to save his life, and crushing two vertebrae. Rescuing Alex Thomson: Sailing 90 miles back upwind in a Southern Ocean gale to pull rival Alex Thomson off a sinking Hugo Boss—and breaking his own mast just four hours later. Finishing the Vendée Without a Keel: The 2004 finish that made history when his fabricated steel keel sheared off 90 miles from Les Sables d'Olonne. The French Sailing Bubble: Why British sailors struggle to secure £10M+ budgets compared to French legends like Michel Desjoyeaux and Jean Le Cam. ⚓ If you enjoyed Part 2, hit the like button, share your favourite Mike Golding moment in the comments, and subscribe for Part 3! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grab a cup of tea (or a cold beer) and join Theo Stocker and Toby Heppell for Episode 25 of The Sailing Podcast as the Sailing Geeks return to dissect four classic nautical topics. In this episode: Sailing Literature Recommendations: From childhood inspiration in Lake Windermere to the harrowing disaster of the 1998 Sydney Hobart Race and the last trading clippers.The Charter Selling Points: Why even die-hard UK boat owners should consider a warm-water Mediterranean or Caribbean charter holiday.Flotilla vs. Bareboat: How organized flotillas take the stress out of family cruising and create instant community on the water.The Great SUP Debate: Can an inflatable paddleboard serve as a genuine ship-to-shore tender, or do you need a proper inflatable boat?Inflatable Tender Masterclass: The pros and cons of RIBs, air-V floors, lightweight PVC fabrics, catamaran tenders, and sailable dinghies.Have a question or a topic you want the Geeks to cover next time? Leave a review or drop a comment! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to a special edition of The Sailing Podcast! In Episode 24, we bring back our occasional sub-series, The Sailing Geeks, where host Theo Stocker is joined by Toby Heppell at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club to chew the cud on all things sailing. This episode is dedicated entirely to the 2026 Yachting Monthly Celtic Triangle Race, a legendary 600-mile, short-handed offshore adventure that takes sailors from Cornwall to Ireland, Brittany, and back again. Theo and Toby reflect on the history of the event, the unique Corinthian camaraderie of double-handed sailing, and the wild weather that saw the 30-boat fleet gale-bound in Kinsale by 50-knot gusts. Featuring exclusive interviews directly from the finish line in Fowey, hear real-world stories from the sailors who took on the challenge. ⚓ If you enjoyed the Sailing Geeks format, give us a thumbs up, leave a comment below, and subscribe for the next episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Golding OBE is, quite simply, a sailing legend. He has sailed through the Southern Ocean 9 times in both directions, and raced across the Atlantic 13 times. He has survived burning buildings and dismastings. He even came third in the Vendée Globe despite finishing the race with no keel. And after all that, he still goes sailing for pleasure, completing a half-circumnavigation from NZ to France on a family cruise aboard his own catamaran. Now he supports sailors from the grassroots to the top of the sport and is a passionate advocate for the marine environment. He has been awarded an OBE for his services to sailing. Yachting Monthly's Theo Stocker and Yachting World's Helen Fretter sat down with Mike over coffee at his home to hear his story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 23 of The Sailing Podcast, host Theo Stocker sits down inside the tiny, 19-foot cabin of Mini Globe 580,Trekker with one of the friendliest and most intrepid sailors on the planet: Ertan Beskardes. Ertan’s story is extraordinary. Born in Turkey, he learned to sail on the Bosphorus as a 12-year-old boy, tying his tiny fiberglass dinghy to navigation cardinals in the dark to sleep under the stars. After moving to the UK, he built a 40-year career as a military tailor and regalia specialist before answering the call of the high seas. Ertan competed in the 2018 and 2022 Golden Globe Races (GGR), but the raw emotional toll of being separated from his family forced him to step aside. More recently, he completed an unbelievable tropical circumnavigation in the 19ft Mini Globe Race (MGR), complete with Starlink, Netflix, and daily FaceTime calls. Now, he’s set his sights back on the ultimate prize: sailing solo, non-stop around the globe in the 2026 GGR aboard Jean-Luc Van Den Heede’s 2018 winning Rustler 36, Matmut (now renamed Miss Beagle). In this episode, Ertan shares: Sleeping Under the Bosphorus Stars: How a childhood on the water sparked a lifelong addiction to solo adventure.The Mental Game of the GGR: Why the Golden Globe isn't a sailing race, but an emotional endurance test.Life Inside a 19ft Boat: Why the MGR 580 feels like a floating cork and handles 50-knot gales with ease.Paradise & Near-Disasters: Crocodile warnings in Thursday Island, shark-swimming in Cocos Keeling, and getting towed into Cape Town after losing his mainsail in 50-knot Table Mountain gusts.GGR 2026: Buying Jean-Luc Van Den Heede’s iconic boat and why he’s determined to complete the voyage this time. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button, leave a comment for Ertan, and subscribe for more ocean stories! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 22 of The Sailing Podcast, host Theo Stocker sits down with one of the most prolific, relentless, and fascinating adventurers on the planet: Don McIntyre. Don is the visionary founder behind the retro Golden Globe Race, the Ocean Globe Race, and the Mini Globe Race, all events born from his fierce belief that true adventure isn't about multi-million-dollar budgets or high-tech satellite routing, but about human grit and seamanship. Recorded aboard a Clipper training vessel in Gosport, Don takes us on a whirlwind journey through his extraordinary life. From building a ferro-cement Suhaili replica at 18 to completing the brutal solo BOC Challenge, Don shares what drives a person to push past the ordinary. In this episode, Don opens up about: Living in Antarctica: Spending a full year in an 8x12ft hut in the windiest place on Earth. Treasure Hunting & Terrorists: Encountering armed NPA rebels in the Philippines. Recreating Captain Bligh: Navigating 4,000 miles across the Pacific in an open boat with 23cm of freeboard and no modern tech. The Psychology of the GGR: Why the Golden Globe Race is 100% a mind game, and why Don just banned laptop computers onboard for the upcoming edition. His Next Big Feat: Announcing his new event, the Real Ocean Row (ROR), and his plan to row solo across the Atlantic at age 73! Learn more about Don’s races at: goldengloberace.com | oceangloberace.com | minigloberace.com ⚓ If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow adventurer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting your boat's electronics to play nicely together can feel like a dark art. This week on The Sailing Podcast, host Theo Stocker is rejoined by former Royal Marine, Yachtmaster Instructor, and Marine Surveyor Justin Morton to demystify marine networks. Whether you sail a classic cruiser or motor a deck saloon, your plotters, radars, autopilots, and depth sounders all depend on accurate calibration. Justin breaks down his essential "Digital Shakedown" list to get your vessel operating with pinpoint accuracy. In this episode: Powering Down: Why turning off your chart plotter mid-passage is a highly revealing sanity check. The 30-Second Depth Calibration: Figuring out counter-intuitive offsets and why you must explicitly brief your crew on where your depth reads from. The Log Paddle Wheel Protocol: Step-by-step guide to pulling, cleaning, and testing your through-hull logs. Taming Your Alarms: Re-configuring your AIS and depth vector settings to avoid alarm fatigue in crowded coastal waters. Autopilot Wizards: Knowing the difference between dockside geometry tests and sea trial calibration. Head down to the boat, grab a cup of tea, and map out your electronics checklist with us. Catch more expert technical guides at yachtingmonthly.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Part 2 of our conversation with Commodore (Retd) Richard Farrington CBE on The Sailing Podcast (Episode 20). In this final half, Richard steps into his role with the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust. We dive deep into the breathtaking, forgotten history of WWII’s Night Hunters, the volunteer yachties and fishermen who manned wooden 'floating bombs' at 40 knots in the dark. Richard shares the unbelievable exploits of legendary figures like Mickey Wynn (who ended up in Colditz) and Robert Hitchens, the most decorated RNVR officer of all time. Then, the conversation turns to blue water cruising. Richard shares with host, Theo Stocker, how he and his wife Julie decided to 'outrun the grim reaper' upon retirement, purchasing their Oyster and completing a massive 40,000-mile Atlantic circuit. From the challenges of maintaining a dark blue hull to island-hopping through Cuba, New York Harbour, and Nova Scotia, Richard shares invaluable, real-world advice for anyone dreaming of proper long-distance passage making. ⚓ Enjoyed the two-part special? Give us a thumbs up, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more sailing masterclasses! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a very special, two-part edition of The Sailing Podcast with host Theo Stocker. In Episode 19 (Part 1), we are on board the beautiful Oyster 485 Escapade of Reim in Gosport with her owner, Commodore (Retd) Richard Farrington CBE. Over a distinguished 36-year career in the Royal Navy, Richard commanded everything from wooden mine hunters to massive fleet flotillas. In this gripping first instalment, Richard takes us behind the scenes of precision ship handling, the evolution of maritime technology, and his fascinating time on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy. But the heart of this episode centres on one fateful night in the middle of the Tasman Sea — the terrifying grounding of the Type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham. Richard vividly recounts the exact moment the ship struck rock at 25 knots, the absolute bedlam of the bridge alarms, and what he calls the "spin-dryer effect" as the ocean threatened to tear his ship apart. Learn how a tight-knit crew, manual steering overrides, and a helicopter's compass kept 260 souls from sinking into the dark. 🔔 This is Part 1 of a truly unmissable two-part story. Hit Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss Part 2 next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 18 of The Sailing Podcast, host Theo Stocker sits down aboard the iconic Suhaili with a man who needs no introduction: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE. He is arguably the greatest sailor of all time. As the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world (1968 Golden Globe Race), Sir Robin changed offshore racing forever. In this exclusive chat, he reflects on his legendary master mariner background, shares harrowing stories of surviving the Southern Ocean, and explains why he donated his prize money to Donald Crowhurst’s family. We also dive into his fiery defence against the myth that sailing is an 'elite' sport, the creation of Clipper Ventures, and an insider look at the brand-new Clipper fleet being built. ⚓ Subscribe for more sailing stories, and don't forget to like and share! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Picture this: It's a dark, wet evening in Salcombe. A massive 40-foot cruising yacht pulls up to the pontoon, and the skipper is screaming at his terrified teenage kids because they cleated a line wrong. The holiday is ruined, the crew is miserable, and the skipper is utterly disappointed in himself. How do we avoid becoming that grumpy, overwhelmed dad? Welcome to The Sailing Podcast, sponsored by Sunsail. This week host, Theo Stocker and his guest. Justin Morton talk about what it actually takes to be a great skipper. The pair dive deep into 'unequal sailing partnerships,' the psychological difference between real danger and perceived fear, and why cutting a long-planned cruise short might be the ultimate sign of a successful voyage. If you've ever worried about stretching your family's tolerance on the water, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Timestamps 00:45 – The Snakes and Ladders of Sailing 02:45 – A Sailor’s Confession 06:00 – Justin's first command: Surviving spinnaker carnage on a Hunter Horizon 11:45 – The Grumpy Skipper Trap 16:30 – Event Management at Sea 19:35 – The cautionary tale of an 8-meter catamaran and forced cross-channel runs 24:35 – When Fear Meets Reality 34:10 – Knowing when to cut your holiday short 41:00 – Why the small, rubbish boats have more fun 43:00 – How to build boat-handling skills 47:25 – The Lost Art of Heaving-To 53:50 – Why couples should do shore-based courses together but practical courses apart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a professional adventurer – a man who has dived with crocodiles and worked as a Cornish crab fisherman – meets a 7-ton Colvic 34 in a crowded marina? You get a masterclass in humility. In episode 16 of The Sailing Podcast, sponsored by Sunsail, host Theo Stocker sat down with Monty Halls to hear how he’s getting on three years into his sailing journey. From his 'rodent-sized' therapy dog to the 3D-printed parts saving his prop shaft, Monty shares the highs and lows of life with his boat, Sobec. It’s a hilarious, honest, and deeply relatable look at why we keep heading back out to sea, even when we’re convinced the boat is trying to kill us. This episode is made possible by our sponsors, Sunsail. Whether you’re a seasoned skipper or just starting to fill your 'experience jar' like Monty, Sunsail makes getting on the water easy. Right now, you can get up to 20% off summer sailing holidays—from the steady winds of the Ionian to the hidden bays of Croatia. If you’re ready for more adventure and less routine, search Sunsail Summer Sailing Special or use this url: https://bit.ly/4tkrUrk Timestamps 01:45 – The Luck Jar vs. The Experience Jar: Why your luck eventually runs out. 05:10 – The P-Bracket disaster: 1970s technology meets 3D printing. 12:30 – Meeting Dasher: The "sociopathic" dachshund and the hunt for the perfect boat dog. 19:50 – From the Royal Marines to Blue Planet: A life shaped by the sea. 27:15 – The brutal reality of a Cornish crab fisherman (and why we have it easy). 38:40 – First time out on Sobec: "My predominant emotion was alarm." 46:15 – The "Fleshy Fender": How (not) to involve your family in close-quarters manoeuvring. 54:30 – The Boat Syndicate: Why Monty is using a "dating agency" to share his yacht Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine dodging unpredictable ice floes in Antarctica, putting film crews in position for that perfect David Attenborough shot, and then—after a decade of professional high-stakes sailing—deciding the real adventure is actually a 42-foot cruiser, a three-year-old daughter, and a Wi-Fi signal in the Hebrides. In this episode, Theo Stocker is joined by Charlie and Ed Hewitt of Ardent Training. They found a quiet corner at the Southampton Boat Show aboard a new Bavaria C46 to talk about their transition from professional whale-research skippers to "digital nomads." They dive into how they’ve built a global online sailing school from the cabin of an 80s yacht, the reality of "working from bed" using a VR headset to escape the rain in Scotland, and why they traded the stress of Antarctic expeditions for the freedom of following the wind—wherever it happens to be blowing that day. Brought to You By This episode is made possible by our friends at Sunsail. If you’re ready for more wind in the sails and less routine on land, Sunsail’s summer offers are currently live with up to 20% off. Whether it’s a bareboat charter in Croatia or a guided flotilla in Greece, visit the link in the description to find your next escape. Find out more:  https://www.sunsail.com/uk/offers/summer-sailing-special?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ssuk_sailingpodcast Episode Timestamps 00:01:15 – High stakes in the ice: Dodging bergs and filming for Blue Planet. 00:08:30 – Meet Charlie and Ed: From Sea Cadets and the Navy to professional whale research. 00:22:45 – Buying "The Puppy": Why a cheap 1980s Van de Stadt was the key to their business freedom. 00:33:10 – The Digital Nomad life: Using Starlink to pitch to the government from St Kilda. 00:39:50 – The Virtual Office: How a VR headset solved the "working on a small boat" problem. 00:48:20 – Family on board: Raising a three-year-old and planning the next trip North. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you mix a lee shore, a dark November night, and a jib sheet wrapped around your propeller? You get one of the many "c**k-up" stories featured in this second installment of our Sailing Nerds special. Hosts Theo Stocker (Editor of Yachting Monthly) and Toby Heppell (Group Digital Editor for Future Publishing's Marine group) sit down at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club to share their most embarrassing maritime mistakes, from RNLI rescues to "slow-motion" marina crashes. Beyond the blunders, the duo dives deep into the realities of Man Overboard (MOB) recovery for short-handed crews and kicks off a high-stakes round of Fantasy Boat Shopping—this time with a hypothetical £1 million budget. Plus Stick around for a "bright" discussion on the best torches and lanterns to keep in your kit bag. Brought to You ByThis episode is made possible by His Majesty’s Coast Guard. Safety at sea starts with preparation. Before you head out, visit hmcoastguard.uk/checklist to order your free waterproof safety checklist and ensure you're ready for the unexpected. Episode Timestamps00:00:56 – Introduction: Theo and Toby welcome you to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.00:05:40 – Confessions of a Sailor: The hosts share their most embarrassing "c**k-ups" and RNLI rescue stories.00:30:03 – The Reality of Man Overboard: A deep dive into short-handed MOB recovery and the kit that actually makes a difference.00:47:04 – Fantasy Boat Shopping (£1M Budget): From the sleek Solaris 50 to the high-speed Rapido 50 trimaran.01:03:53 – The Kit Bag: A technical look at torches, searchlights, and the enduring charm of hurricane lanterns.01:15:10 – Closing Remarks: Previewing the next debate: Fin keels vs. Bilge keels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this gripping episode, host Theo Stocker sits down with Tom Sharpe, a retired Royal Navy Commander, to recount one of the most harrowing maritime incidents in recent history. While Tom's career spanned 27 years—commanding everything from fishery protection vessels to advanced Type 23 frigates—it was his time aboard the Navy's only icebreaker, HMS Endurance, that provided his ultimate test of leadership and resilience. What’s in this episode:The Incident: How a routine maintenance task in the Chilean inland waterways led to 1,200 tonnes of water flooding the ship in just 30 minutes.Command Under Pressure: Tom explains the "Chain of Events" that leads to disaster and why a leader must step back from the "knees-on-the-deck" technical work to see the bigger picture.Survival in the Magellan Strait: The terrifying reality of drifting towards the rocks of "Desolation Island" in 60-knot winds with no propulsion, no power, and failing communication systems.Lessons for Every Sailor: Whether you're on a Royal Navy warship or a family yacht, the principles of drills, muscle memory, and "pre-programming" your responses are what save lives when the "lemons line up". About Our GuestTom Sharpe is a retired Royal Navy Commander who now runs a strategic communications consultancy. He specialises in managing complex and contested situations for global organisations, applying the high-stakes leadership lessons learned at sea to the corporate world. Sponsored by His Majesty’s Coast GuardThis episode is made possible by HM Coast Guard. Safety at sea starts with preparation. Whether it’s refreshing your navigation skills or conducting pre-season maintenance, don't leave it to chance. Boost your skills and reduce the risk: Order your free waterproof boating safety checklist at hmcoastguard.uk/checklist. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to help us bring more incredible seafaring stories to the surface. #SailingPodcast #HMSEndurance #RoyalNavy #MaritimeSafety #Leadership #Seamanship #HMCoastGuard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.