Passage Logs
Andy Schell
ICEBEAR Offshore // "Iceberg, right ahead!"

Seeing the ice in clear skies was a hell of a reward for the heavy weather yesterday. Thus far we’ve stopped to admire two big bergs from close range, bringing in ICEBEAR under power (the wind, after all that fuss, shut down completely around 1200 noon as we rounded Cape Race) to within a hundred yards or so. I put the drone up to get a bird’s eye view, and the crew stopped to admire the beauty of nature’s most striking sculpture. Both bergs we stopped for had at some point in their decay rolled, for the tops of them were pure white and smooth as marble, highlighted in spots by deep turquoise cracks where they’d broken apart and re-frozen during their lifespan.

ICEBEAR Offshore // "Iceberg, right ahead!"
Andy Schell
Video of Wilson the Minke Whale

This has been all over my Facebook page the past couple of days, thanks to Kevin King, who crewed with us and took the footage. When the whale first approached, we were in awe, and just enjoyed his company. Kevin wanted to film right away, but I kind of discouraged him - if you're always behind the camera, you can't appreciate what's right in front of you. But the whale kept coming back! I was afraid jamming the camera down in the water might scare him off (he thinking it might be a harpoon!), but eventually we gave it a go. I think it was worth it! 

Video of Wilson the Minke Whale
Andy Schell
One Day in St. Croix

This was written yesterday, posted today (Monday). Photos below.

We arrived into St. Croix yesterday afternoon after what I think was probably the easiest passage I’ve ever done. We sailed on starboard tack the whole way, broad reaching in anywhere from 8-25 knots, and only motoring for one hour, through a pretty calm spot when the sails were banging around and we had to roll up the jib.

One Day in St. Croix
Andy Schell
USCG Issues Marine Alert in Wake of Salty Dawg ...

I will have WAY more to say about this in due time, but wanted to post it immediately. Thanks to Dave for sharing - you know who you are. Might we have finally reached a tipping point when it comes to taking offshore sailing seriously, instead of a ride to warmer weather?

USCG Issues Marine Alert in Wake of Salty Dawg Rally rescues
Andy Schell
Simplicity v. Technology on the Ocean Sailing ...

I just had an interesting email exchange with a friend whose in the (years-long) process of outfitting his boat for extended ocean cruising. The boat is similar to Arcturus, and we have similar ideas about things, and somehow got in touch a few years back. Anyway, we've had several of these types of exchanges. I won't say who it is out of respect for his privacy, but I want to publish my response to his latest email about rigging, sails and engines. I'll preface each section with what I'm about to discuss, but won't include anything specific that he's emailed me. What's your take?

Simplicity v. Technology on the Ocean Sailing Boat

Heroes

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Interviewing Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

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Interviewing Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

Big news! Mia and I just got back from the Southampton Boat Show in the UK on Friday, and I've been DYING to tell everyone about it! The purpose of our trip was to get in some in-person interviews. It started by reaching out to Bob Shepton, 2013 Yachtsman of the Year and known to me from the Vertical Sailing Greenland video series. He immediately said yes! Then I asked photographer Rick Tomlinson, and finally Sir Robin Knox-Johnston himself! Sir Robin airs October 4. In the meantime, tech guru, anarchist & sailor Moxie Marlinspike airs tomorrow Sept. 26! Click here to subscribe in iTunes!

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My Destiny as a Sailor, by Yves Gelinas

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My Destiny as a Sailor, by Yves Gelinas

On Thursday, November 5, the Caribbean 1500 program will feature a private screening of 'Around the World with Jean du Sud' at the Commodore Theatre in Portsmouth, by sailor, filmmaker and inventor Yves Gelinas. Yves is a guest of the rally this year, preparing to sail his famous Alberg 30 south to Martinique, and will be on-hand tomorrow to introduce his film and do a live Q&A with the rally participants afterwards, a rare and truly exciting opportunity. The article below was written by Yves and republished with permission from his website, capehorn.com. 

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Strangers at Sea

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Strangers at Sea

Chris Museler's excellent documentary on the double-handed New York-Barcelona Race came out today on the New York Times. "You're the first to get the link," says Chris. What follows is the complete documentary that Chris filmed and helped produced. It was the first time someone had documented a double-handed race as such. Hear Chris talk about the experience on the podcast by clicking here. Thanks to the NY Times for letting us run this.

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The Cape Horn Windvane: Kamau Interviews Yves Gelinas at Annapolis

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The Cape Horn Windvane: Kamau Interviews Yves Gelinas at Annapolis

Kamau Kwabena interviews a sailing legend at the Annapolis Sailboat Show. Yves sailed non-stop (almost) and solo around the Great Capes in his Alberg 30 Jean-du-Sud, filming the iconic Around the World With Jean-du-Sud movie in the process, a classic sailing film. Hear Yves talk about his Cape Horn wind vane invention in this short interview. 

Andy's Biased Review of 'Red Dot on the Ocean: The Matt Rutherford Story'

Andy's Biased Review of 'Red Dot on the Ocean: The Matt Rutherford Story'

Andy Schell reviews the new documentary about the life of Matt Rutherford and how he went from troubled teenager to legendary solo sailor. In short - watch it. It's an inspirational tale and an absolutely riveting recounting of what will go down in history as one of the greatest small boat voyages of all time. The fact that Matt nearly ended up spending his life in prison only makes it more interesting. Truly moving. The movie makes it's theatrical debut this Friday in New York City at the Quad Cinema. Click for tickets.

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Red Dot on the Ocean: Official Trailer of the Matt Rutherford Story

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Red Dot on the Ocean: Official Trailer of the Matt Rutherford Story

Watch the official trailer of the Matt Rutherford story about his epic voyage around the america's and his unbelievable childhood that put him on the path to become one of the greatest sailors of the modern world. Red Dot on the Ocean premiere's this Friday, October 24, at the Quad Cinema in New York City. Look for Andy Schell's full review later today, Tuesday October 21.

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Don Street Stories: It's a miracle he ever got published!

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Don Street Stories: It's a miracle he ever got published!

My Don Street article started at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in 2011. I met SAIL’s editor, Peter Nielsen, at a World Cruising Club party. We started discussing Don Street. I was adamant that despite his age, he was still relevant to my younger generation of ‘real’ sailors. He sometimes talked in ancient terms, referencing long-ago obsolete technology. But the substance was still at the core. Street speaks in sailing Truths – it’s just a matter of wading through the history to uncover them.

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Don Street Stories: A strange cup of coffee in Glandore

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Don Street Stories: A strange cup of coffee in Glandore

I was very excited to see my newest article, "Don Street is not Dead" out in the May 2014 issue of SAIL magazine, which just got delivered yesterday. Normally writers cringe when their editors get a hold of their work, but I was very pleased with the work that Peter, Charlie and Meredith did on this piece, which was over a year in the making. The left my 'voice' intact.

That said, we had to cut a lot! The published piece is something like 1,500-2,000 words. My first draft, on the other hand, was over 5,000! The podcast I did with Don, which gave me a lot of material for the article, ran at nearly 90 minutes. So in a series of posts here now, I'd like to share some of the stories that didn't make the print article, but that shine more light on one of my sailing heroes. Read on.