Casting Off with Sailing Followtheboat

[S03E17] What is the best thing about travel? What are your best travel moments, and what are your favourite travel memories? We are asked these questions often, and we always come up with the same answer: People. Go straight to the bit you fancy hearing most using these time codes: 00:00 Our current anchorage 01:35 Send your comments on next week’s topic 02:34 Meeting new people is the best thing about travel 04:42 Life is grey, good people can lift you up 07:52 Some of the most memorable local people we have met 18:06 Some of our great cruising buddies 20:07 Bobby Pizza! 21:15 Extra scary things that happen on a boat 33:52 What is the difference between a container ship and a bulk carrier? 35:21 Is the Essex accent difficult to understand? 36:10 Why do our favourite episodes never do well? Episodes referenced in this chat: Happiness! (The Most Beautiful People in the World) 5 Reasons to Be Scared of Sailing If you’d like us to answer a question or read out YOUR story, send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click the image to watch the podcast chat    

[S03E16] We have had some scary moments over the years, but are they the same as our biggest fears? We go through the top 5 worst things that have happened to us and take a look at what scares you most… Go straight to the bit you fancy hearing most using these time codes: 00:00 Intro 01:25 Our most recent anchoring nightmare 03:38 Biggest Sailing Fears (poll results) 04:48 Our top 5 worst experiences + lessons learned 05:20 5-Dragging anchors! 13:31 4-Being rundown! 21:38 3-Hitting things! 27:20 2-Losing control because of weather! 32:20 1-Health emergency at sea 36:56 Man overboard 39:42 Boat hit by lightning 42:26 Engine failure 43:17 Daily fears 44:10 Boat on fire 45:06 Don’t get cocky 46:52 Daft fears Episodes referenced in this chat: 299 – Sailing Indonesia (Delays, Boat Repairs, Storms) 260 – I fell off my boat: Man Overboard (Pt 1) 261 – I fell off my boat: Man Overboard (Pt 2) If you’d like us to answer a question or read out YOUR story, send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click the image to watch the podcast chat    

[S03E15] In this week’s chat, we take a look at your suggestions, are surprised how low down the list some items appear, but not at all surprised by the #1 item. Can you guess what came out top? What’s the worst thing that can happen at sea? Send us a tweet… Go straight to the bit you fancy hearing most using these time codes: 00:00 Intro 01:34 What’s essential and what’s a luxury? 03:55 Results of the poll 05:37 Do we agree with your top items? 35:44 What items would enhance life on SY Esper? If you’d like us to answer a question or read out YOUR story, send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click the image to watch the podcast chat    

[S03E14] We put our cards on the table in this episode and talk about the friends we have lost over the years because of our decision to live on a boat and travel. And we are not the only ones this has happened to… Don’t forget to tweet us what you wouldn’t be able to live without on a boat! Go straight to the bit you fancy hearing most using these time codes: 00:00 What are YOUR Top 15 objects for boat life? 01:30 We are chatting in REAL-TIME 04:27 Where are we? 06:25 What is ‘Home’? Pt 1 (Your comments) 07:55 Would you buy a Nauticat or a Lagoon? 10:34 Definitions of ‘Home’ Pt 2 14:59 DO YOUR FRIENDS RESENT YOUR LIFESTYLE? 18:08 What is SSB? Should all boats have one? 25:26 When do you use the Q Flag? 28:54 Two corrections and apologies 30:23 The reason AIS and RADAR are important 33:20 Does it matter if secret places develop? 37:20 Why are we going to Indonesia? 39:05 The tourism industry is devastated in SE Asia 42:18 Hello to our Sabahan friends! If you’d like us to answer a question or read out YOUR story, send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click the image to watch the podcast chat

[S03E13] “Why not sail back to the UK to see family?” Lots of people ask us this question, so we explain the reason why we don’t do it here. And we discuss what home means to us. Go straight to the bit you fancy most using these time codes: 00:00 Can we sail back “home” to the UK? 05:35 How to find out where we are 09:11 Extending visas has been stressful 12:51 Malaysia has lost the faith of many cruisers 16:57 Nowhere to go was the cause of high anxiety in Tawau 19:16 YOUR COMMENTS: Should we keep remote places secret? 27:55 The stunning scenery of Sulawesi and northeast Borneo 28:51 How can Liz stay on the boat for 30 days straight 31:43 YOUR STORIES: How old are new sailors? Episode 297 “Kicked Out (And Nowhere To Go)” If you’d like us to answer a question or read out YOUR story, send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click the image to watch the video podcast  

[S03E12] If you had a sailboat and were about to set off on passage, how would you determine the route and destination? How do you know where to go and what affects your decision? In “WTF was that noise”, we still need YOUR help. No-one has come up with the definitive explanation…yet DISCUSSION: Should spectacular remote destinations we visit like BohayDulang, Anambas and Mentawai Islands be developed for tourism? What do YOU think? Go straight to the bit you fancy most using these time codes: 00:00 What is Tolitoli coffee? 03:19 WTF was that noise? 06:20 DISCUSSION: Should remote beauty spots be developed? 12:45 ColRegs and lights discussion – cont 13:58 How do we decide where to go next? 34:18 Welcome to new boaters and cruisers! 38:39 Shout Out to our RUM FUNDERS! Videos referenced in this episode: Ep 295 “WTF Is That Loud Noise” Ep 296 “Spectacular Coral Islands” Passage Planning to Japan If you’d like us to answer a question or read out YOUR funny story, send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast Here’s the podcast…

[S03E11] We’re leaving our gorgeous atoll on Borneo, and it’s going to take three days to get from our current anchorage to Toli-Toli, the first destination on Sulawesi. We’ll be at sea and uncontactable for much of this time, so we thought we’d better explain our absence in this little podcast… But, this is NOT a podcast… Well, it is and it isn’t. It’s a quick chat where we blather on about the work it takes to create our videos. Sometimes, though, life just gets in the way. Sipadan! The episode that took Jamie a week to edit! This is a break from our usual 40-minute video podcasts, but we expect to be back again next week chuntering on about anything that comes into our heads. If you’d like us to answer a question, or read out a funny story, send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast Here’s the podcast:

[S03E10] You’re in a strange place and you don’t speak the language; you need help but you’re isolated and running on adrenaline. Where’s the fun in that? And is it fair to bring pets or partners on board if they don’t like sailing? Lots more topics in this week’s podcast… 00:00 Recording from a Coral Triangle Atoll 02:09 How we tackled rigging failure (Ep 294): YOUR COMMENTS 11:24 The fun of finding help in strange places 13:36 Why do we put anchor lights on top of the mast? 17:14 Do the Col-Regs get updated? 19:12 Do you use an anchor ball? 20:36 Are you a new sailor? 23:47 Sailing as you get older 27:23 Have we changed your perception of Southeast Asia? 31:48 Sailing in Islamic countries is FUN! 32:53 How do we get regular prescriptions filled? 37:01 Advice on sailing with pets…and partners! Episodes mentioned in this podcast: First Sailboat Ever To Come Here Are You Too Old to Sail? Sailing with pets Cruising’s Dirty Little Secret | Casting Off 009 Our Rigging U-Bolt Sheared Off | Ep 294 Our no-holds-barred, no-frills podcasts are an unedited look at sailing and travel. They are our way of keeping up with you in as close to real-time as possible. If you have a comment, don’t forget to send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast

[S03E09] In this podcast we open up about cruising’s dirtiest secrets, including the dangers that keep our adrenaline flowing. And we discuss what it’s like to face death. Jump to the bit that interests you most using these time codes… 00:00 Where we are and where we are going 02:09 The warm welcome of Tarakan 04:55 What happened to the sailing vlog? 07:49 Why we don’t show a map… 08:32 All about sailing – Ep 293 09:17 What are we trying to do? 13:47 We MUST be flexible 14:58 Circumnavigating is easy! 15:55 The cost of sailing in Marine Parks 18:35 Is the sailing as important as the destination? 20:36 Can you sail in SE Asia? 23:11 Why do we all want to quit? 26:17 We have faced death 27:20 Hero Sailing is for dummies 30:04 Don’t Mention the Noise! Music, though? 32:25 What are those flashing strobes on our boat? 36:09 Jamie’s apology to Liz 38:00 How do we deal with bugs? Our no-holds-barred, no-frills podcasts are an unedited look at sailing and travel. They are our way of keeping up with you in as close to real-time as possible. If you have a comment, don’t forget to send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast

[S03E08] How long should you wait before mending things that go wrong at home or on your boat? We’re in the middle of a 1500 mile passage by sailboat in southeast Asia, stopping off at anchorages in Malaysia and Indonesia on the way. But over such a long passage things can go wrong, so how do we deal with these challenges? In today’s Casting Off, we talk about a recent event where without that attention to detail a boat could have been lost… Our no-holds-barred, no-frills podcasts are an unedited look at sailing and travel. They are our way of keeping up with you in as close to real-time as possible. If you have a comment, don’t forget to send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast

[S03E07] What cruising boat should you buy? Is it OK to cross oceans on a Beneteau, or would a bluewater cruiser like our Oyster be safer? Do catamarans make good cruising boats? And should you buy new or old? In this week’s Table of Bollocks… * They are chopping down the rainforest! * Russia has invaded Ukraine * A word on this podcast * Our armed escort * Are we allowed to check into Indonesia? * Where can we go in Indonesia? * How to get to Sulawesi? * Should we sail off on our own now? * Fridge failure! * We’re in quarantine * B&G repeater failure! * YOUR COMMENTS… * Thanks for your well wishes * Vacuum sealers: good or bad for the planet? * The joy of sailing again! * Cockpit set-up * Mono v Cat: Chocolate v Chips? * WHAT CRUISING BOAT SHOULD YOU BUY? Our no-holds-barred, no-frills podcasts are an unedited look at sailing and travel. They are our way of keeping up with you in as close to real-time as possible. If you have a comment, don’t forget to send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast

[S03E06] Jamie says he HATES cats (not the furry kind, he LOVES those). But does he really? And could there ever be a time when we would buy a catamaran? Does it all come down to price? What do you think? * Hello from a beautiful and dangerous anchorage * Do sea gypsies have the right idea about life? * Why have we sailed only 250 miles in 8 days? * Why did we get stuck for a day? * Pros and cons of rallies and buddy boating * How is the passage going so far? * Fishing on passage * Using our new WAECO freezer * My NEW fishing line is degraded * Our cruising lifestyle * Storm Eunice: worrying about friends at home * Lithium batteries: your comments * Your comments: “Listener/viewer generated content” * Selling SY Esper Pt 1 * How to pronounce BUOY! * Selling SY Esper Pt 2 * We will NEVER buy a CATAMARAN (Probably…) * Where will we live on our new boat? * How would we refit a new boat? * Difference between a Pilot Guide and a Cruising Guide * What’s a yacht? * Getting it WRONG! Our no-holds-barred, no-frills podcasts are an unedited look at sailing and travel. They are our way of keeping up with you in as close to real-time as possible. If you have a comment, don’t forget to send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast

[S03E05] If someone made us the right offer, would we sell SY Esper? Find out in this week’s podcast… In this week’s chat: * Back to proper cruising! * Weather conditions for sailing * How many days sailing? * Happy Valentine’s Day! * Weekly episodes may stop for a bit * Internet and phone access in Indonesia * VHF radio and AIS update * Liz’s pink hair * Sunburn * Cruisers behaving badly * Why you must not photocopy guides * Liz’s Recipe Book * Galley & Head Renovation Ep 289 * Would we sell our boat? * Jamie wants a new refit project * Are we happy with the galley and head refit? * What is the best galley worktop surface? * Bollocksed-on for long enough. Our no-holds-barred, no-frills podcasts are an unedited look at sailing and travel. They are our way of keeping up with you in as close to real-time as possible. If you have a comment, don’t forget to send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for ways to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast

[S03E04] “I believe you are the bravest, most courageous cruisers: adventuring across the world and below the sea, anchoring alone in coves, traveling up rivers by inflatable, enduring lightning, hiking with a broken foot, becoming infected with parasites from walking barefoot on the beach, sailing in Beaufort scale gales, traveling at night in shipping lanes and on and on… Any advice on how I can get braver?” Susan King FTBMates In this week’s chat… * Addressing the elephants in the room * Why are we STILL in the marina? * Liz has gone PINK * Our neighbour’s TERMITES have returned * Visas for Indonesia have arrived * Cooking on a boat Recipe Book * Cruising Guide to Indonesia * Provisioning and freezing * Continuing the freezer saga * Power and lithium batteries * Are we ready to go? * Clothes clear out * Vacuum-sealing * Heart health and check-ups * AIS & VHF problems – sorted? * Steps at the top of the mast? * Thanks for YOUR helpful comments! * We should have done these jobs earlier * Is it SAFE to leave the boat at anchor? * How can YOU get braver? * Jamie sorts out his nuts… Our no-holds-barred, no-frills podcasts are an unedited look at sailing and travel. They are our way of keeping up with you in as close to real-time as possible. If you have a comment, don’t forget to send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here for our pub to find out how to support us – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Click here to watch the video podcast

[S03E03] Our video podcast series is now in its third week. In this week’s jibber-jabber, we cover (among other things) health and fitness, Liz’s fishing skills, heat exhaustion (or is it just general un-fitness?), dying your hair pink and preparing for a 1500NM sail… * Intro – Pinch, punch! * Happy Lunar New Year! * Last podcast from the marina * News on the new lithium batteries * Jamie’s Achilles heel * Will boat problems delay departure? * Cleaning the boat in the tropics * Do you suffer from heat exhaustion * We’re going to be gorgeous * Getting those Indonesian visas * Provisioning for the next six weeks * Fishing rod and reel prep * Is background noise a problem? * Talking helps… * Should Liz dye her hair pink? * We re-name “Nobody46820” * What is Liz’s neck charm? * Ep 287 – long walk at Sabah Tea Garden * Ep 287 – Liz foot update * Medical care prices and insurance * Young sailors – keep fit and healthy! * How to buy Jamie’s full res images * We miss animals! But we’re not getting one * Jamie’s plans for the rest of the day… Do you reckon YOU are healthy enough to sail away? Our no-holds-barred, no-frills podcasts are an unedited look at sailing and travel. They are our way of keeping up with you in as close to real-time as possible. If you have a comment, don’t forget to send us a tweet to @followtheboat on Twitter to get our attention. Click here to watch the video podcast, or click below for the podcast If you’d like to support our podcast you can: – become a Patreon – join FTBMates – bung a quid in our Rum Fund Check out our pub for more info.