Freeranger // Inspiring Citizen Science - Ep. 145

In this episode, I sit down with Michael and Anne Hartshorn, special friends with whom my family and I have been cruising for nearly the past two years. They departed the UK in 2008, and since they have sailed across the Atlantic, through the Caribbean and the Panama Canal, up the west coast of the US to Canada and Alaska, up and down the Sea of Cortez, across the Pacific to French Polynesia, Fiji and on to New Zealand. I spoke with Michael and Anne while anchor alongside Nimue in Fakarava, an island in the Tuamotu Archipelago.

I sit down with Duncan Copeland and Larissa Clark, a couple currently sailing the Pacific with their two children aboard their Bruce Farr designed Beneteau 50, Freeranger. While cruising they are running a global non-profit called Free Range Ocean, focused on inspiring sailors and non-sailors to get involved in citizen science with the goal of inspiring action among boating and costal communities that’ll lead to healthier oceans. We recorded this conversation while anchored together in the lagoon of Bora Bora. You can read more about the Freeranger crew in this Yachting World article.

In this episode, I sit down with Nica and Jeremy Waters, a couple cruising on their 28 foot Bristol Channel Cutter, Calypso. We met up on the north side of Nuka Hiva in the Marquesas. You might recognize Nica’s voice from The Boat Galley podcast she does with Carolyn Shearlock. Jermey has created an affordable weather routing tool for all cruisers called Fast Seas. They both provide information and inspiration for other cruisers, having set sail multiple times in their own lives - first as a young couple, then as a family of four, now as a retired couple. You can follow their adventures at Fit2Sail.com.

At 21-years-old Jasmine Harrison became the youngest female to row solo across the Atlantic. A year later she set a record as the first woman to swim the full length of the British Isles. Currently, she’s participating in the Mini Globe Race, a solo, around-the-world race for 5.8 meter mostly home-built yachts. Before starting the race, Jasmine didn’t know how to sail. We crossed paths in the Marquesas where we discussed her exploits. Follow her progress on the Mini Globe website or her Instagram page.

Andy Schell of 59° North Sailing is no stranger to the Out The Gate podcast. We’d both been wanting to follow up on our last podcast conversation, but hadn’t managed to connect over Zoom. So, when Falken, 59° North's Farr 65, and Dovka both happened to pull into Hiva Oa in the Marquesas the same morning, we took the opportunity to finally sit down and chat. We talked about our respective Pacific crossings, the importance of letting go, and what we’re each looking forward to in sailing, work, and life. This interview can also be found on Andy's pre-eminent podcast On The Wind.

After completing a nearly 3,000 nautical mile passage from Banderas Bay, Mexico to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, my crew and I sit down to debrief our voyage. Joining me on Dovka for the 23.5 day ocean crossing was my brother Jon Shaw and my college buddy Tim Field. A few days after arrival, the three of us sat down to discuss the highs and lows of the trip, from a magical manta ray visit to managing the monotony of late night watches. You can relive moments from the passage @SVDovka on Instagram.

Mark Synnott is a professional rock climber and author. He’s climb many first ascents, written a multitude of National Geographic articles and simply put had a ton of bad ass adventures. He took up sailing about 20 years ago, and recently sailed his boat, Polar Sun, through the Northwest Passage on a quest to unlock the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Franklin Expedition. Mark has a new book about the adventure called Into The Ice. National Geographic also produced a special about his journey called Lost in the Arctic that you can watch on Disney+.

I met 23-year-old Kevin Boyle when he sailed into La Cruz Mexico aboard his Ericson 32 and I took his lines at the dock. Kevin stuck out in the sailing community of La Cruz because of his young age. He reminded me of myself when I went cruising in my 20s and I really wanted to talk to him about his experience cruising a young person and seeing how he made that happen. He’s currently crossing the Pacific from Mexico to the Marquesas and I’m hoping we can reconnect in French Polynesia.

Tim Carden is not new to adventure, having ridden his motorcycle solo all over the world. But, he is relatively new to sailing and he’s planning an audacious journey in his trailerable 27-foot trimaran. He’s planning to drive his Corsair F-27 south from his home in Albuquerque, NM, to launch it in the Sea of Cortez. From there, he’ll sail solo down the Sea of Cortez, out across the Pacific to French Polynesia, north to Hawaii and then back to California. He’ll do all this without fossil fuels, having converted the boat to electric propulsion and electric cooking. You can follow Tim’s journey on Instagram at Manta_On_The_Sea.

Heather Richard is a skilled sailor, an exceptional teacher, a great storyteller, and a kick-ass mother! As a high school graduation present for her son, they double-handed in the Pacific Cup Race to Hawaii, aboard the boat on which she raised him! Heather and I talk about prepping for this race, the crossing, and the long sail back. We discuss why she’s decided to sell her boat and what she’s looking for next. After hearing her story, you can sail with Heather at Fine Day for Sailing.