Out The Gate Sailing

Wilbur Spaul // Sailing to Hawaii in 9-foot Sailboat Named Chubby Girl - Ep. 54

Wilbur Spaul has been sailing since the 70s. For over 40 years he’s dreamed of crossing oceans in a tiny boat. On September 27, 2020 he will leave Berkeley, head out the Golden Gate and attempt a record breaking sail to Hawaii in a 9-foot sailboat called Chubby Girl. The San Francisco sailing community has rallied around Spaul to help him bring this dream to fruition. Now it’s time to start the adventure. You can follow his voyage at www.ChubbyGirlCruising.com

Ronnie Simpson // From Fallujah to Fiji with Many Ocean Miles In-between - Ep. 53

Ronnie Simpson was badly injured when hit by a rocket propelled grenade in Iraq. After coming home he discovered sailing as an exciting new way to explore the world. Since taking to the water, he’s raced solo to Hawaii, lost a keel at sea, biked across Asia, and set up sailing and surfing clinics to help other wounded veterans. Today he lives in Fiji where he’s running a board and sail shop called Mamanuca Board Traders.

SV Avocet: Chris & Marissa Neely // A Talented Young Couple Refit a Beautiful Old Boat - Ep. 52

Chris Neely grew up sailing on San Francisco bay, but met Marissa in the mountains where he taught her to sail on Huntington Lake. Not long after graduating college the two bought a 1979 Cheoy Lee 41, SV Avocet, which they are taking time to extensively refit in preparation for sailing far afield. Follow them on Sailing Avocet, their popular and beautifully produced video series on YouTube documenting the work they’re doing.

Tor Johnson // The Challenges and Dangers of Sailing Photography - Ep. 51

Tor Johnson first set sail as a child in the 1970s, cruising across the pacific with his parents and older brother and sister. It was during these travels that a friend gave him a camera, hooking him on photography. Today his photos appear on the covers of magazine such as Cruising World, Yachting World, Sail, and Sailing. Tor and I talk about the challenges and dangers of capturing unique images of boats, waves and more. You can see Tor’s work at www.tjhawaii.com.

Martin Machado // Making Art on Boats from 26 to 900 Feet - Ep. 50

Martin Machado is a visual artist who finds inspiration form the sea and the people who work it. His paintings and drawings reflect the stories, landscapes and people he encounters when he sails his small boat in the California Delta, or spends six months at sea aboard a 900-foot container ship, or squats in an old cannery with other salmon fisherman in Alaska. We had a fascinating conversation that touched on everything from pirate attacks to painting landscapes. Check out Martin’s artwork at MartinMarchado.com

The Franz Family // Cruising Mexico in a 68-foot, Aluminum Boat - Ep. 49

Patrick and Tara Franz, and their son Everest, started sailing about five years ago after moving to the Bay Area. It wasn’t long afterwards they started thinking about living aboard and cruising to distant destinations. The boat they've chosen for the journey is a 68-foot, Britton Chance designed aluminum racer from 1971. The Pandemic has added another element to cruising, but the Franz family continues to travel and enjoy their adventure. You can read their latest updates at svpandion.com.

John Arndt // 33 Years at Latitude 38 - Ep. 48

John Arndt is the owner and publisher of Latitude 38, the magazine that is fairly synonymous with sailing in the Bay Area. John started selling ads for the magazine in 1987 and in 2016 bought Latitude 38 from founder Richard Spindler. John also started, and has championed, Summer Sailstice, an event close to the summer solstice that encourages sailors across the globe to get out on the water any way they choose for a day of sailing.

Stan Honey // Part 2: Fixing Boats and Rules - Ep. 47

Stan Honey is a professional navigator, inventor and businessman who’s won 11 Transpacs, the Volvo Ocean Race and set a non-stop circumnavigation record a transatlantic speed record. In addition to being a successful navigator he’s an accomplished inventor and businessman. He pioneered on-screen navigation for cars, and invented the technology that superimposes the first down line in yellow for football game. He and his wife, Sally Lindsay Honey, race and cruise aboard their Cal 40 Illusion.

Stan Honey // Part 1: Sailor, Navigator, Inventor, Record-Breaker - Ep. 46

Stan Honey is a professional navigator, inventor, and businessman who’s won 11 Transpacs, the Volvo Ocean Race, and set a non-stop circumnavigation record a transatlantic speed record. In addition to being a successful navigator he’s an accomplished inventor and businessman. He pioneered on-screen navigation for cars, and invented the technology that superimposes the first down line in yellow for football game. He and his wife, Sally Lindsay Honey, race and cruise aboard their Cal 40 Illusion.

Jim Quanci // Three Decades of Ocean Racing: It’s a Family Affair - Ep. 45

Jim Quanci has been sailing and racing on San Francisco Bay since the early 80s. He’s raced to Hawaii 18 times, once with his whole family, once alone, and many times with his wife - whom he met while racing on the Bay. Jim has sailed many miles on his Cal 40 Green Buffalo and many more all over the world on charter boats. In this episode, we talk about what’s changed in racing over the years, his race strategy, single handing, and what he loves most about being out there on the water.