Sailing in the Mediterranean and Beyond

In this episode of Sailing in the Mediterranean and Beyond, my good friend and longtime podcast contributor Neil Fletcher returns to share stories from another summer on the water in Europe.

Neil has been contributing to the podcast for many years, and he has a wonderful ability to tell the stories of his adventures in a way that brings the experience of cruising to life. This time, he recounts his recent travels in France and Norway, but focusing mainly on 11 days on a riverboat in the canals and rivers of Burgundy. He shares practical details of how to do it, the experiences and people he encountered, and some of the memorable moments from his summer afloat.

Neil is one of my favorite sailors to sail with. We’ve shared some great adventures over the years, including sailing together aboard his boat in Sweden, and I’ve always enjoyed hearing about his continued explorations around Europe.

I really appreciate Neil taking the time to record this episode and share his stories with us. He tells these adventures much better than I ever could, and I think you’ll enjoy listening to him recount another summer on the water.

Thanks, Neil, for being such a longtime contributor to Sailing in the Mediterranean and Beyond – and for sharing another great sailing story with us.

Sailing in the Mediterranean and Beyond isn’t going anywhere! I’m currently organizing a sailing sub-club at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City, and we’re planning a charter in Greece or Turkey next August.

If you’re interested in learning more—or if you’d like to explore the possibility of joining a separate charter with fellow listeners—I’d love to hear from you.

As always, thank you for listening.

Fair winds and following seas,

Franz Amussen

This is a short update for listeners of Sailing in the Mediterranean and Beyond.

Many of you know me as a sailor, but before retirement I spent more than 40 years in the investment business as a financial advisor and portfolio manager. I’ve recently launched a new educational podcast called Markets Without Spin.

Unlike most financial podcasts, this isn’t about stock tips or predicting the market. Instead, it explores the incentives that drive financial markets and the hidden forces shaping the economy.

Some recent topics include:

If these topics interest you, I’d be honored if you’d subscribe.

🎙 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
[Apple Podcasts URL]

🌐 Visit the website:
[Markets Without Spin Website URL]

Sailing in the Mediterranean and Beyond isn’t going anywhere! I’m currently organizing a sailing sub-club at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City, and we’re planning a charter in Greece or Turkey next August.

If you’re interested in learning more—or if you’d like to explore the possibility of joining a separate charter with fellow listeners—I’d love to hear from you.

As always, thank you for listening.

Fair winds and following seas,

Franz Amussen

Every cruising sailor has those passages that test both skill and resolve. This is one of them.

In Episode 295, we depart historic Charleston and head north toward Hampton, Virginia, navigating the ever-changing waters of the U.S. East Coast. Along the way, we recount several unexpected groundings that serve as reminders that even experienced sailors can be humbled by shifting shoals and narrow channels.

But it isn’t all adversity.

We visit some of the most charming ports on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, including beautiful Beaufort, North Carolina, where Southern hospitality, waterfront scenery, and maritime history make it one of our favorite stops. Charleston, too, remains one of America’s great sailing destinations, rich in history, architecture, and unforgettable harbor views.

Then comes the moment every cruiser dreads.

Far from help, the engine suddenly dies. With little room for error and danger closing in, quick thinking and a bit of good fortune help us narrowly avoid what could have become a very serious situation. It’s a vivid reminder that on the water, things can change in an instant—and preparation, experience, and calm decision-making matter.

Whether you’re planning your own voyage, dreaming about casting off the dock lines, or simply enjoy great sea stories, this episode is packed with practical lessons, memorable destinations, and the unpredictable adventure that makes cruising under sail so rewarding.

Fair winds!

Please subscribe, leave a review, and share Sailing in the Mediterranean and Beyond with your fellow sailors and cruising friends.

And if you enjoy thoughtful discussions about investing, economics, incentives, and the forces that really drive markets, be sure to subscribe to my new podcast:

Markets Without Spin – Follow the Incentives

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/markets-without-spin/id6783024308

Join me as we cut through the headlines, ignore the noise, and focus on the incentives shaping markets, corporations, governments, and investors.

Also, for those who have followed this journey over the years, I mention in the episode that I have officially put the boat up for sale. She is currently located at Belle Isle Marina in Hampton, Virginia. If you are interested and would like additional information, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with the broker.

https://www.medsailor.com/bristol-channel-cutter-for-sale/

Fair winds,

Franz

Want me to go sailing with you? Then contact me!

If you have ideas for future podcasts or comments please drop me a note! and PLEASE rate my podcast in iTunes and perhaps write a note.

link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-the-mediterranean/id566678892?mt=2

Sailing! Learn To Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam Exam over 7 hours of Audio Instruction to help you get ready to take the written exam.

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam

If you would like to be a guest or have suggestions for future episodes or if you would like Franz to be a speaker at your Sailing Club or fundraiser please feel free to contact me.

©2019 Franz Amussen all rights reserved

Every sailor has a vision for how a voyage is supposed to begin. Mine involved launching in Indiantown, pointing the bow toward the Bahamas, and slipping into warm trade winds and turquoise water.

Instead, 2026 had other ideas.

In this episode of Sailing in the Mediterranean and Beyond, I tell the story of the first leg of this year’s sailing adventure — a trip defined less by tropical anchorages and more by stubborn weather forecasts, cold nights, and constant recalculating.

After launching the boat in Indiantown, I waited for a weather window that never really arrived. Rather than bash east into uncomfortable conditions, I made the difficult decision to abandon the Bahamas plan entirely and head north up the Intracoastal Waterway instead.

What followed was a voyage full of the kinds of moments every cruiser knows well:

Eventually, I brought the boat to Cape Marina at Cape Canaveral, where I tucked her away for two months before returning later with my family to continue the trip north toward St. Augustine.

This episode is about flexibility, frustration, and the reality that cruising rarely looks like the glossy version we imagine beforehand. Sometimes the adventure is not the one you planned — but the one you end up with anyway.

If you’ve ever had to scrap the “perfect plan” and make the best of changing conditions, this story will probably feel very familiar.

Also, for those who have followed this journey over the years, I mention in the episode that I have officially put the boat up for sale. She is currently located at Belle Isle Marina in Hampton, Virginia. If you are interested and would like additional information, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with the broker.

https://www.medsailor.com/bristol-channel-cutter-for-sale/

Fair winds,

Franz

Want me to go sailing with you? Then contact me!

If you have ideas for future podcasts or comments please drop me a note! and PLEASE rate my podcast in iTunes and perhaps write a note.

link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-the-mediterranean/id566678892?mt=2

Sailing! Learn To Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam Exam over 7 hours of Audio Instruction to help you get ready to take the written exam.

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam

If you would like to be a guest or have suggestions for future episodes or if you would like Franz to be a speaker at your Sailing Club or fundraiser please feel free to contact me.

©2019 Franz Amussen all rights reserved

In this second episode with Brad Atkins, who calls Charleston, South Carolina home. Brad has spent years sailing back and forth between Charleston and the Abacos, and he brings a wealth of local knowledge to this conversation. Here he goes into more details on sailing in the Bahamas

We dive into:

Clearing Customs in the Abacos – what to expect and the best ports of entry.

Recommended Sailing Routes from Charleston to the islands.

Must-See Places of Interest once you arrive, including anchorages and hidden gems.

Tips for navigating the Abacos safely and making the most of your time there.

This is part one of a two-part conversation with Brad. We got cut off by Zoom at the end of this session, but we’ll continue in the next episode with even more details on where to go, what to do, and insider advice for sailors exploring this incredible cruising ground.

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your boat to the Bahamas or are planning your own trip to the Abacos, you won’t want to miss this one.

Want me to go sailing with you? Then contact me!

If you have ideas for future podcasts or comments please drop me a note! and PLEASE rate my podcast in iTunes and perhaps write a note.

link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-the-mediterranean/id566678892?mt=2

Sailing! Learn To Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam Exam over 7 hours of Audio Instruction to help you get ready to take the written exam.

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam

If you would like to be a guest or have suggestions for future episodes or if you would like Franz to be a speaker at your Sailing Club or fundraiser please feel free to contact me.

©2019 Franz Amussen all rights reserved

In this episode, I’m joined by lifelong sailor Brad Atkins, who calls Charleston, South Carolina home. Brad has spent years sailing back and forth between Charleston and the Abacos, and he brings a wealth of local knowledge to this conversation.

We dive into:

Clearing Customs in the Abacos – what to expect and the best ports of entry.

Recommended Sailing Routes from Charleston to the islands.

Must-See Places of Interest once you arrive, including anchorages and hidden gems.

Tips for navigating the Abacos safely and making the most of your time there.

This is part one of a two-part conversation with Brad. We got cut off by Zoom at the end of this session, but we’ll continue in the next episode with even more details on where to go, what to do, and insider advice for sailors exploring this incredible cruising ground.

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your boat to the Bahamas or are planning your own trip to the Abacos, you won’t want to miss this one.

Want me to go sailing with you? Then contact me!

If you have ideas for future podcasts or comments please drop me a note! and PLEASE rate my podcast in iTunes and perhaps write a note.

link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-the-mediterranean/id566678892?mt=2

Sailing! Learn To Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam Exam over 7 hours of Audio Instruction to help you get ready to take the written exam.

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam

If you would like to be a guest or have suggestions for future episodes or if you would like Franz to be a speaker at your Sailing Club or fundraiser please feel free to contact me.

©2019 Franz Amussen all rights reserved

In this episode, I reconnect with Bela Musits, a returning guest from several years ago, to hear about his latest adventures and his new podcast, Sailing and Cruising the East.

Bela shares his firsthand insights on sailing the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), including:

How to plan a trip up and down the East Coast

Tips for navigating the ICW safely and efficiently

His favorite anchorages, marinas, and coastal towns

Lessons learned from years of cruising

Whether you’re planning your first passage or looking for new ideas for your next trip, this conversation offers both practical advice and inspiring stories from one of the East Coast’s most experienced cruisers.

————————————

Connect with Bela Musits:
LinkedIn – Bela Musits

Listen to Bela’s podcasts:

Sailing and Cruising the East – Practical sailing and cruising advice

The Unconventional Path – Conversations about startups and entrepreneurship

Check out the two Podcasts I do with my colleague Mike Wasserman with over 300 episodes combined.

My LinkedIn Profile  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bela-musits-b523584/

Want me to go sailing with you? Then contact me!

If you have ideas for future podcasts or comments please drop me a note! and PLEASE rate my podcast in iTunes and perhaps write a note.

link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-the-mediterranean/id566678892?mt=2

Sailing! Learn To Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam Exam over 7 hours of Audio Instruction to help you get ready to take the written exam.

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam

If you would like to be a guest or have suggestions for future episodes or if you would like Franz to be a speaker at your Sailing Club or fundraiser please feel free to contact me.

©2019 Franz Amussen all rights reserved

From Navy SEAL to Novelist and Bluewater Sailor: Meet Matthew Bracken

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Matthew Bracken—a man whose life reads like an adventure novel. A former Navy SEAL and lifelong sailor, Bracken is best known for his action-packed political thrillers that blend real-world tensions with gripping, character-driven plots. But what truly sets him apart is his deep connection to the sea.

After serving in the Navy, Bracken didn’t just settle into civilian life—he sailed off into it. He spent years living aboard and voyaging across oceans on his own sailboat. His time at sea gave him a firsthand look at self-reliance, freedom, and the raw edge of adventure. These themes echo powerfully throughout his fiction.

1. Enemies Foreign and Domestic (2003)
The first in the Enemies trilogy. A rogue federal agent stages a mass shooting to justify draconian gun laws. A retired SEAL and a sharp-eyed journalist race to uncover the truth. It’s a chilling tale of government overreach and personal courage.

2. Domestic Enemies: The Reconquista (2006)
Set in a fractured near-future America, the story imagines the Southwest under separatist control. With borders dissolving and loyalties shifting, Bracken explores nationalism, identity, and civil conflict.

3. Foreign Enemies and Traitors (2009)
The trilogy concludes with the rise of a tyrannical president who invites foreign troops onto U.S. soil. Resistance forces fight back in a gripping climax of betrayal, bravery, and rebellion.

4. Castigo Cay (2011)
A true sailor’s thriller. Dan Kilmer, a former Marine turned outlaw sailor, becomes involved in rescuing a kidnapped girl from a Caribbean crime cartel. This one draws heavily on Bracken’s own sailing experiences—and it shows.

5. The Red Cliffs of Zerhoun (2016)
A group of Americans is kidnapped by jihadists in North Africa. With strong echoes of historical captivity narratives, this story blends action, cultural conflict, and survival.

6. The Bracken Collection: Essays and Short Fiction (2019)
A mix of political essays, short stories, and thought experiments—this collection offers a look into Bracken’s worldview beyond the world of fiction.

7. Doomsday Reef (2020)
Bracken returns to nautical action in this maritime adventure set in the South China Sea. With rising international tensions and a cast of rogue seafarers, it’s a modern-day pirate story laced with geopolitics.

Website: EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com

Amazon Author Page: Matthew Bracken on Amazon

Gab Profile: @Matt_Bracken

Want me to go sailing with you? Then contact me!

If you have ideas for future podcasts or comments please drop me a note! and PLEASE rate my podcast in iTunes and perhaps write a note.

link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-the-mediterranean/id566678892?mt=2

Sailing! Learn To Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam Exam over 7 hours of Audio Instruction to help you get ready to take the written exam.

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam

If you would like to be a guest or have suggestions for future episodes or if you would like Franz to be a speaker at your Sailing Club or fundraiser please feel free to contact me.

©2019 Franz Amussen all rights reserved

This is a report on what will probably be my final sail on my own boat from Puerto Rico to Florida.  See Dream is for sale and on the hard in Indiantown Marina in Indiantown Florida.  Tie boat broker is Derek Jarvis and his phone number is 954-683-6047 C or 954-527-0664 O

Here is a link for more information on See Dream a 28′ Sam Morse and Co., Lyle Hess designed Bristol Channel Cutter the  boat made famous by Larry and Lynn Pardey in their various books.

Want me to go sailing with you? Then contact me!

If you have ideas for future podcasts or comments please drop me a note! and PLEASE rate my podcast in iTunes and perhaps write a note.

link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-the-mediterranean/id566678892?mt=2

Sailing! Learn To Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam Exam over 7 hours of Audio Instruction to help you get ready to take the written exam.

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam

If you would like to be a guest or have suggestions for future episodes or if you would like Franz to be a speaker at your Sailing Club or fundraiser please feel free to contact me.

©2019 Franz Amussen all rights reserved

Crew Call  Sail from the Bahamas to Georgia

I’m excited to invite you to apply for a crew position aboard my sailboat for a sailing trip from Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, to St. Augustine, Florida, and onward to St. Mary’s, Georgia. The trip will run from February 16th to March 1st, with the boat being hauled out at the end of the journey this may be my final adventure aboard See Dream, as I will be putting See Dream up for sale at the end of the trip after launching her in 1992, 33 years of wonderful memories.

Below, I’ll include the trip schedule and the route. This will be a working trip with a good mix of sailing, teamwork, and relaxation along the way.

Trip Overview

What to Expect

What to Bring

This will be a fun, practical sailing trip with some great stops along the way. If you’re interested or have any questions, let me know. I look forward to having a solid crew to make this a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Let me know ASAP by email (email address is in the podcast) if you are interested there is only room to 2 crew members for  the two separate crews the a total of 3 onboard

Want me to go sailing with you? Then contact me!

If you have ideas for future podcasts or comments please drop me a note! and PLEASE rate my podcast in iTunes and perhaps write a note.

link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-the-mediterranean/id566678892?mt=2

Sailing! Learn To Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam Exam over 7 hours of Audio Instruction to help you get ready to take the written exam.

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam

If you would like to be a guest or have suggestions for future episodes or if you would like Franz to be a speaker at your Sailing Club or fundraiser please feel free to contact me.

©2019 Franz Amussen all rights reserved