Conquering the Northwest Passage

Paul Bates’ plans of sailing around the world was a dream deferred by a corporate career. The Covid pandemic offered him a chance to pivot, and he hasn’t looked back. Today, Bates documents his life as a delivery captain and seeker of all things nautical on YouTube @NoRegretsLifestyle   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken and Roberta Williams like challenges. After 60,000 nautical miles at sea, they faced what would be their most arduous voyage when they headed into the ice to take on the Northwest Passage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The can't stop, won't stop power cruisers—Nathan and Lindsay of The 71 Percent—faced known, formidable challenges when they embarked on a "wrong way" crossing of the Pacific Ocean from Australia to Victoria, British Columbia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karly and Evan Nietzel—aka YouTube's @Navigating Nietzels—tailored their careers to remote work after relocating to Florida, buying a trawler and moving onboard to complete the Great Loop. Along with their pup, Ripley, they're just getting going. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eight Bells for Chris Caswell. A titan of marine journalism for 50 years, Chris passed away on May 13. We are re-running this podcast from 2023 where Chris shared fundamental—yet off the beaten path—navigation tips that'll help get you home when things go bad or your electronics go out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Larry Graf, the founder, designer and lead engineer of Aspen Power Catamarans, doesn’t seem to stop moving and innovating—he just can’t help himself. The lifetime tinkerer fills us in on Aspen's unique proa hull designs and adventure cruising on his own creations from the Arctic to the Sea of Cortez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After navigating the Pacific coasts of the United States and Mexico then wintering in the Sea of Cortez, Jeff and Kami Fehr rang in 2026 by transiting  the Panama Canal aboard their meticulously refit Selene 59, Dock Holiday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jay Kraft wants everyone to love the power cruising lifestyle. His Traverse City, Mich.-based school, Trawlers Great Lakes, hosts an intensive program for new and potential boat owners, as well as bareboat and pilot charters. It's an increasingly rare and vital initiative designed to teach real cruising and informed decision-making as a helmsman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Leigh-Jones says he likes stories and he’s got a special one to share. The Welshman and former Merchant Marine followed a successful career with a return to the sea aboard Vanguard, his custom-built, 78-foot aluminum bruiser. After a Mediterranean wring-out, Leigh-Jones and a small crew embarked on a bucket-list journey to Greenland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After fulfilling careers and raising a family in their native New Zealand, Mark and Fiona Rammell pivoted. They bought Hull No. 1 of Nordhavn's 51-foot series, picked her up in Turkey and embarked on a slow-burn circumnavigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices