EP#240 Jon Bilger Founder of Predict Wind

Well it's time once again for me to go off the rails a little and dive into my thoughts on the good and bad of Technology when sailing offshore. I will always have mixed emotions about this subject and in some ways I myself am still trying to figure out what is the best path.  The time-honored tradition of old VS new.  Enjoy the show and thanks for listening. Children's Audio Book: Audible.com Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Childrens Book: https://a.co/d/1q2Xkev Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts Coaching and Consulting: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/coaching

Today we are joined by Gunnar Christensen who has recently signed up for the GGR 2026 Solo around the world race. Over the next two years, Gunnar will be fundraising, finding and outfitting the boat, and getting in some good practice before heading over to France for the start.  We will be checking in with him regularly to see the progress. He is working on his website this week and I will get all that information out as soon as it goes live. For now, you can connect with Gunnar at: [email protected] GGR Website:https://goldengloberace.com/skippers/gunnar-christensen/ Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Childrens Book: https://a.co/d/1q2Xkev Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts Coaching and Consulting: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/coaching

Today we have a heavy hitter on the podcast, Jon Bilger is the founder and CEO of Predict Wind, the world's premier weather forecasting and routing software used by millions of sailors around the world. As a low-tech sailor myself it was very interesting to listen to the advances in technology and plans for future improvements to help make sailing as safe as possible.  Big thanks to Jon for taking some time away from a very busy schedule to chat about one of the most valuable tools an offshore sailor can have. Check out Predict Wind here: https://www.predictwind.com/?lang=en Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Childrens Book: https://a.co/d/1q2Xkev Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts

Today I rant and rave a bit about working and all that entails, I have been missing the type of work where you feel sore the next day and get your hands dirty.  But before I am off to the boat, I wanted to get the podcast in for all of my wonderful listeners. Plus, it has been a while since I did a solo show, thanks for listening!   Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Childrens Book: https://a.co/d/1q2Xkev Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts

Today we have a technical episode with Sven. He and I go over the 11-page form for taking measurements of the rig on a sailboat. If you are thinking of getting new sails made, chances are that you will be given this form if you want to do this yourself.  I used this recording to help me with the process a few days ago on Sparrow and it made filling in the forms a breeze.  Big thanks to Sven for sharing his time and expertise in this area.    Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Childrens Book: https://a.co/d/1q2Xkev Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts

Today I sit with my other brother, Adam, and talk about tech on sailboats the good and the bad, as well as some of the project that he was working on with that beautiful Westsail 32 Montana. Glad to have him on the show and can't wait to get into the world of boat surveys in the future.  Thanks for sharing your time and insight. Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Childrens Book: https://a.co/d/1q2Xkev Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts

Today I wrap up the crazy month of March and all the travel to the Caribbean.  We talk a little about the upcoming road trip and much more. Thanks for listening Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Childrens Book: https://a.co/d/1q2Xkev Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts

You never know who you are going to meet each day, Julian and I just happened to be in the same place at the same time and both have circled the globe in very different ways. Me with Sparrow and him with a highspeed Jet aircraft! Julian shares some of his stories from the trip, his past and the plans for the next adventure, heading across the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the Med.  Good luck and big thanks for sharing your time with the show! Check out the Video about the Honda Jet Adventure: https://youtu.be/rIPC-Xd0ZZk?si=MDmUnu7MaLlzWqGc Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts

Today I catch up with an old friend that is now working in the BVI as a watersports instructor with the Bitter End.  We get into the first impressions and then go off into the weeds of camping and much more.  Thanks for listening! Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts

Today I once again sit down with Matt Rutherford and talk sailing, the Ocean Research Project and how I might be able to join in some of the plastics research later this year.  Always a great time talking with Matt and a big thanks for taking some time to be on the show. Check out the Ocean Research Project: https://www.oceanresearchproject.org/ Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sailingintooblivionpodcast One Time Donations Via PayPal and Venmo: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JeromeRand https://account.venmo.com/u/sailingintooblivion Sailing Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sailing-into-oblivion/ Books: https://a.co/d/eYaP10M Reach out to the Show: https://www.sailingintooblivion.com/podcasts