EP-173 Ocean Racing, Retirement, and Community with John Slingerland

Welcome to the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States podcast! In this episode, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman sit down with veteran sailor John Slingerland to explore a life defined by the wind and waves. From single-handed offshore races to building a sailing-centric retirement, John shares the hard-won wisdom of a lifetime at sea.The Magic of Sailing: John discusses the simple, "great feeling" of being pushed by the wind and the awe of commanding a complex piece of machinery on the open water.Offshore Challenges: Discover the intensity of the Marion to Bermuda Race, including the "1-2" format—sailing to Bermuda with a partner and returning entirely solo.Legendary Voyages: John recounts his journey from a nine-year-old camper to a retired lawyer who circumnavigated the North Atlantic and cruised the Western Mediterranean.The Bluewater Sailing Club: Learn about the community and social benefits of joining a sailing club, including John’s experiences leading ambitious trips to Newfoundland, the Bras d'Or Lakes, and the Caribbean.Preparation and Self-Sufficiency: Get practical tips on preparing a boat for offshore passages, managing gear failures, and the importance of having manual backups like battery-operated navigation lights.Whether you are an aspiring ocean racer or looking for ways to anchor your retirement in adventure, John’s stories offer both inspiration and practical advice. We dive into the realities of "combat conditions" at sea, the importance of vetting your crew, and how to stay connected to a community of like-minded sailors.Bluewater Sailing Club: Explore their website and the Beacon newsletter for upcoming cruises and events.Marion Bermuda Race: An informal cruising race with a strong tradition of celestial navigation.Offshore Passage Opportunities: A resource for connecting boat owners with experienced crew.If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button on your favorite podcasting app!YouTube: Find us on the Sailing and Cruising channel.Email: [email protected] Suggestions: Know someone with a great sailing story? Reach out and let us know!Happy Sailing!Bela and MikeKeywords: Sailing podcast, East Coast cruising, ocean racing, Marion Bermuda Race, Bluewater Sailing Club, offshore passage, sailing in retirement, John Slingerland, Bela Musits, Mike Wasserman, Newfoundland sailing.Episode HighlightsWhy You Should ListenKey Resources MentionedConnect with Us

In this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of United States, host Bela Musits sits down with Tom Greaves, a longtime sailor and member of the Blue Water Sailing Club. Whether you are planning a coastal cruise or dreaming of offshore adventures, this conversation offers essential insights into navigating the beautiful but challenging waters of Maine and beyond.Sailing the Coast of Maine Tom shares his sailing evolution, from his first time on a Laser clone in Ontario to cruising the Maine coast on his 1984 Bristol 35.5. Sailing out of Casco Bay and Peaks Island, Tom discusses the realities of navigating this region, including dodging lobster pots and managing the notorious Maine fog. He emphasizes the importance of using both Radar and AIS when dealing with commercial traffic and lobster boats.Tom also reveals his favorite cruising destinations, including Penobscot Bay, Eggemoggin Reach, and the breathtaking Merchant Row near Stonington. For those planning a trip, Tom recommends visiting in August and utilizing the "Cruising Guide to the Maine Coast" by Curtis Rindlaub.The Marion to Bermuda Race Beyond coastal cruising, Tom details his experience preparing for and completing the 2023 Marion to Bermuda Race. He shares how the race served as a confidence builder and a catalyst for getting his boat offshore-ready, a process managed meticulously by his wife through a detailed preparation spreadsheet.The Blue Water Sailing Club & Future Generations Tom provides an inside look at the Blue Water Sailing Club, a "virtual" club founded in 1959 that focuses on cruising, camaraderie, and mentoring sailors for offshore events. The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion on the importance of passing the torch to the next generation of sailors and creating opportunities for youth to experience offshore sailing.Key Topics in This Episode:Maine Cruising: Best destinations including Penobscot Bay and Isle au Haut.Navigation Safety: Tips for handling lobster pots and heavy fog.Offshore Preparation: Lessons learned from the Marion to Bermuda Race.Sailing Community: The benefits of joining the Blue Water Sailing Club.Resources Mentioned:Blue Water Sailing Club: https://bluewatersc.clubexpress.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button and subscribe!Email: [email protected] Happy Sailing!Bela and Mike

EP-171 Tropic Air Rescue - Tony MarinelloAre you planning a cruising trip to the Bahamas? While the islands are beautiful, medical infrastructure can be scarce. In this episode, we sit down with Tony Marinello, a retired New York State Trooper and the founder of Tropic Air Rescue, to discuss a critical safety gap for sailors and travelers in the Bahamas.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Danger Gap: Tony explains that once you go east of the U.S., you are essentially in a "third-world country" regarding medical care. With only three hospitals across 700 islands, getting help for a stroke, heart attack, or trauma can be life-threatening.Why Helicopters Matter: Unlike fixed-wing airplanes that require airports and ambulance transfers, Tropic Air Rescue utilizes helicopters to fly directly from the scene of the injury to trauma centers in Florida. They are the only operator with medical teams standing by 24/7, ready to launch immediately.Affordable Peace of Mind: We break down the membership model. For roughly $500 a month per couple, members receive immediate evacuation services without upfront payment, as the company bills your insurance directly.Entrepreneurial Insights: Tony shares his journey of identifying a massive market gap—the complete lack of helicopter air ambulances in the Bahamas—and offers advice on validating business ideas.Whether you are sailing, boating, or vacationing in the Bahamas, this is a service you need to know about before you leave the dock.Links & Resources:Tropic Air Rescue: tropicairrescue.comKeywords: Bahamas Sailing, Tropic Air Rescue, Emergency Medical Transport, Helicopter Rescue, Bahamas Cruising, Travel Safety, Medical Evacuation, Entrepreneurship, Boating Safety.If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button and subscribe!Email: [email protected] Happy Sailing!Bela and Mike

Welcome to the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States Podcast! In this episode, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman chat with longtime sailor Chris Blankenship, a passionate mariner based in New Jersey. Chris is a perfect guest for anyone looking to find new, creative ways to expand their sailing experiences and build expertise.Chris shares his extensive personal history on the water. He details his progression through different boats, starting with the beginner-friendly Catalina 22, moving up to a Catalina 27, a 34-foot Gemini catamaran, and his current vessel, a PDQ32 catamaran. He talks about the joys and challenges of cruising in his local New Jersey bay, a spot often skipped by those transiting the ICW. He also recounts the recent two-week delivery trip from Brunswick, Georgia, to New Jersey on his new PDQ32, explaining why they chose to stay on the Intracoastal Waterway due to his wife’s seasickness and concerns about the boat's new davits.The core of the conversation focuses on Chris’s incredible experiences as a crew member on numerous long passages and boat deliveries. He explains that he secures these opportunities, which often involve working with professional captains, through an organization called OPO (Offshore Passage Opportunities). OPO helps vet both the captains and the crew, which is vital for safety and matching skills. Chris gives a firsthand account of a major international delivery: flying to France to join a new catamaran and undertaking a multi-stage journey that included a 19-day Transatlantic crossing via the Canary Islands.This episode is a must-listen for aspiring blue water sailors. Chris’s story proves that you don't need to own your own large yacht to gain valuable offshore sailing experience. He offers practical advice and highlights the supportive nature of the sailing community.Keywords for Search: Sailing, Cruising, East Coast, New Jersey, Offshore Sailing, Boat Delivery, OPO, Offshore Passage Opportunities, Catalina 22, Catamaran, PDQ32, ICW, Intracoastal Waterway, Transatlantic, Crewing, Long Passages.If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button and subscribe!Email: [email protected] Happy Sailing!Bela and Mike

In this highly important episode of the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of United States podcast, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman welcome back repeat guest Rob Sweet, a physician and seasoned cruiser who recently spent several months in the Bahamas. Rob keeps his boat in Florida while living in Pittsburgh, managing the interesting dynamics of a three-hour plane ride to his vessel.While many sailing discussions focus on anchors and navigation, this conversation addresses a critical, often-overlooked aspect of life at sea: medical emergencies and being prepared when help is hours away.Rob recently took a specialized Offshore Medicine Course from Wilderness Medical Associates, which is specifically designed for sailors and mariners. Even as a physician specializing in geriatric psychiatry, Rob's motivation was to be ready for common sailing injuries, noting that medical school doesn't focus on first aid. The ocean is a large wilderness, and he needed skills beyond a hospital setting.Common Injuries at Sea: Likely incidents include falls, broken bones (rib, wrist, finger), dislocations, dehydration (especially from seasickness), heat or cold exposure (heat stroke/hypothermia), and various wounds or cuts.The Risk of Rescue: The course heavily emphasized assessing the high risk involved in trying to evacuate an injured person via helicopter or ship versus stabilizing the condition on board.Essential Crew Information (The Geriatrics Perspective): Rob stresses that Captains should have a record of all crew/passenger medications, allergies, and any conditions, especially for older guests.Seasickness Medication Warning: He advises that people test seasickness medicine (like a patch) at home first, as it can cause confusion and, for older men with large prostates, urinary retention, which can be a serious issue on a boat.Essential Medical Supplies (Rob’s Purchases): Rob is upgrading his boat with:A better-organized, modular first aid kit (The Modulator).Supplies for cleaning, irrigating, and pressure dressing wounds.A tourniquet.Epinephrine/Epipens and follow-up drugs (antihistamines, steroids) for allergic reactions/stings.Formable splints for fractures.The Power of External Help: Rob stresses the need for onshore medical backup, like a 24/7 contracted video assessment service, especially now that he has Starlink for constant communication.Mike and Bela conclude by strongly encouraging listeners to take a CPR and basic first aid course, noting that even coastal cruisers can be hours away from an ambulance.If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button and subscribe!Hosts: Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman Guest: Rob SweetEmail: [email protected] Happy Sailing!Bela and MikeWhy You Need to Listen: Medical Preparation for CruisersKey Discussion Points & Takeaways for Sailors:

In this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast, host Bela Musits sits down with Roy Greenwald, an experienced offshore sailor who has completed multiple ocean crossings and long-distance races. Roy shares insights from his years at sea aboard his Valiant 42, a boat known more for blue-water cruising than high-performance racing—yet one that’s carried him to impressive victories.Roy talks about competing in legendary events like the Newport to Bermuda Race and the Marion to Bermuda Race, where he and his wife even took first place. Bela and Roy explore what it takes to prepare both mentally and technically for ocean passages, how double-handed sailing challenges crews in unique ways, and why safety, seamanship, and teamwork matter most offshore.Beyond racing, Roy discusses his work organizing the Northeast Ocean Race Symposium, a one-day event that brings together sailors to learn about everything from race strategy and weather routing to offshore safety and boat preparation. It’s a can’t-miss gathering for anyone serious about long-distance cruising or competitive sailing along the U.S. East Coast.Whether you’re planning your first offshore passage or dreaming of Bermuda, this episode offers inspiration, real-world lessons, and a deep dive into the spirit of adventure that defines ocean racing.⛵ Keywords: sailing podcast, offshore racing, Roy Greenwald, Valiant 42, Newport to Bermuda Race, Marion to Bermuda Race, ocean crossings, Northeast Ocean Race Symposium, cruising, East Coast sailing.To learn more about the Northeast Ocean Racing Symposium:https://marionbermuda.com/NORS/Connect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike

In this episode, Bela welcomes back returning guest Rob Sweet for his third visit to the podcast. Rob lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – several hundred miles from the Atlantic Ocean – yet owns and sails his boat that’s based in Florida. In earlier episodes (153 and 158), Rob shared how he chose his boat and what it’s like managing a cruising life while living far from the water. Today, Rob and Bela talk about his recent extended adventure cruising the Abacos in the Bahamas.This trip was unique because Rob and his wife traveled during the summer months—a less common time for cruisers due to the start of hurricane season. Rob explains why the early summer “shoulder season” can actually be a great time to visit. Crowds are lighter, anchorages are quieter, and marinas and services are still available. He also shares how he researched historical weather patterns to better understand hurricane risk.Rob discusses preparing the boat for long-distance travel, the experience of sailing across the Gulf Stream, using mooring balls and marinas in the Bahamas, managing water, fuel, and provisioning, and why air conditioning changes everything when cruising in warm climates. Bela and Rob also talk about customs procedures, flying back and forth to the boat, and what it’s like to step directly from your sailboat onto a local ferry in the Abacos.Whether you’re dreaming of your first cruise to the Bahamas or planning to live aboard while living inland, Rob’s story is full of practical lessons—and encouragement that sailing adventures may be more achievable than you thinkConnect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike

In this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States, Bela Musits and fellow sailor Mike Malekoff reflect on their successful voyage relocating Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont. What began as a plan in early April turned into a two-month adventure filled with challenges, discoveries, and memorable sailing experiences along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and beyond.Bela and Mike share what it was like to manage long stretches of coastal cruising, the realities of anchoring and docking after long days on the water, and how sailing often becomes less of a vacation and more of an adventure filled with problem-solving. They discuss highlights of the trip, including navigating tricky currents, enjoying beautiful anchorages, and adapting to life aboard while moving steadily north.Listeners will hear firsthand what it’s like to bring a cruising sailboat up the East Coast, through a variety of weather conditions, and ultimately into Lake Champlain. From technical sailing details to the camaraderie of life onboard, this conversation captures both the challenges and the rewards of extended cruising.Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser, an aspiring liveaboard, or simply curious about coastal sailing, this episode offers insights into route planning, boat handling, and the unique satisfaction of arriving safely at your destination after a long passage.Join Bela and Mike as they recount their journey to Burlington, celebrate the milestones along the way, and share why sailing continues to be an adventure worth taking.Connect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike

Join your hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman on the latest episode of the "Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of United States" podcast as they sit down with a truly remarkable guest: Erden Eruc. Erdin is an incredible individual who holds a staggering 18 Guinness World Records and is even a member of the Guinness Hall of Fame.Erden shares his extraordinary journey, including his feat as the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world by human power, pedaling a bicycle on land and rowing a boat across the oceans.The conversation delves into his mental and physical preparation for his next monumental challenge: the 2026 Golden Globe Race. This legendary competition is a solo, non-stop, unassisted sailboat race around the world, replicating the original 1968 event by requiring participants to use only 1968-era technology, such as sextants and paper chartsYou can check out more info on Erden here: https://www.erdeneruc.com/Connect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike

In this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States, host Bela Musits is joined once again by fellow sailor Mike Malekoff as they continue their journey aboard Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon. Recorded live during their relocation trip from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont, this installment captures the challenges, surprises, and rewards of their leg from Whitehall, New York to Chipman Point on Lake Champlain.The episode opens with Bela and Mike reflecting on the previous day’s struggles. After pushing through the Champlain Canal locks in steady rain, they thought the hardest part was behind them. Instead, Mother Nature had other plans. Strong winds, unpredictable weather, and narrow passages tested both their seamanship and patience. As they share firsthand accounts, listeners get a true sense of what long-distance coastal and inland cruising can be like when conditions don’t go as planned.Throughout the conversation, Bela and Mike highlight the unique challenges of lock navigation, including the fatigue that sets in after a long day of line handling, motoring, and waiting for water levels to equalize. They describe the relief of finally leaving the canal system behind, only to be met by rough conditions on Lake Champlain, which demanded constant attention at the helm.The discussion also showcases the camaraderie and teamwork that develops on extended passages. From managing sail trim in shifting winds to coordinating docking maneuvers at the end of a tiring day, Bela and Mike emphasize how essential trust and clear communication are aboard a cruising sailboat. Their storytelling makes it easy for listeners to imagine themselves in the cockpit—feeling the spray, watching the clouds build, and plotting the next safe anchorage.Another highlight is their arrival at Chipman Point Marina, where they reflect on the day’s challenges and rewards. The stop marks not only progress in their voyage north but also a moment to appreciate the beauty of the Champlain Valley. Surrounded by rolling hills and calm waters, the marina provided the perfect respite after a long push. Bela and Mike talk about the satisfaction of tying up securely, enjoying a warm meal, and planning for the final leg toward Burlington.For sailors, cruisers, and boating enthusiasts, this episode offers both practical takeaways and relatable experiences. It covers topics like:Cruising the Champlain Canal and transitioning from river to lake sailing.Handling locks in rain and variable weather.Strategies for staying safe and efficient during long days underway.The importance of seamanship, patience, and preparation on extended passages.The beauty and challenges of sailing Lake Champlain, one of the premier cruising grounds in the Northeast.Listeners who are planning a trip through the Champlain Canal, considering cruising Lake Champlain, or simply dreaming about sailing the East Coast will find this episode informative and inspiring. Bela and Mike’s journey is a reminder that sailing is as much about adapting to unexpected conditions as it is about enjoying fair winds and calm seas.Join Bela and Mike on this leg from Whitehall to Chipman Point and experience the mix of endurance, humor, and joy that comes with cruising America’s inland and coastal waterways.Connect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike