Sailing in the Mediterranean Episode 278 Chris Ryba of S/Y Olivia Grace


 

This is from the great website Chris put together to record this voyage:

https://oliviagrace.travel.blog/home-page/

This voyage began in 2015 when I sent Joy a text message: “Just an idea… what do you think of taking a 6-month sabbatical?” I also sent a link to Sailing Totem (https://www.sailingtotem.com/welcome-aboard). Fully expecting a quick dismissal, I was floored upon receipt of her response, “that sounds awesome. Lets do it.” A few days later, Jimmy Cornell’s treatises, which detail world cruising routes and destinations, arrived via Amazon and we were “off to the races.”

Since that time, countless hours have been spent planning and preparing. From the big issues, (e.g., money, home, safety and education) to the small, (mail, lawn care, snow removal), we’ve done our best to ensure a safe and seamless transition to a “voyaging lifestyle,” albeit a temporary one. From 2015 through 2020, on any given night our dining room table was covered in nautical charts, cruising guides and nautical almanacs. Winters were spent at Larsen Marine in Waukegan partially refitting the boat for extended cruising. Broad information on the refit is detailed under “Our Vessel” and blog entry “Outfitting for 2020 Sabbatical.”

We broke the news to the girls in 2017 and received a mixed response. Frankly, neither of them is excited about this. And, admittedly, our anticipated track is a long one. Of the two, Frankie—who spends 5 days per week sailing Optis during the summer—is more resistant, but mostly because she does not want to leave the dog. Evelyn, on the other hand, is largely ambivalent. But given the choice, it is clear that Evelyn (13 at the time of cast-off) would rather be with her friends and electronics than with her parents and sister aboard a small sailboat. From my perspective, that’s all the more reason to go and go now......"



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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See Dream at anchor in Turkey near Gocek

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

https://www.medsailor.com/

If you're interested in my sailing instructional audio series here are the links:

Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam
https://gumroad.com/l/Eiig
Sailing!

Sailing in the Mediterranean Episode 278 Chris Ryba of  S/Y Olivia Grace

Sailing Stories, Interviews and Tips with and emphasis for the Mediterranean but we do venture Beyond

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Sports

Wilderness

Documentary

Sailing in the Mediterranean Episode 284 Kieran Brown Caribbean Catamaran and Revive water Systems
My name is Kieran Bown, and I've spent the last 15 years immersed in the marine industry. My journey began as a dive instructor, traveling the world and cultivating a deep appreciation for the ocean. Subsequently, I transitioned into becoming a yacht captain and marine engineer, a path that has been incredibly fulfilling and enriching.



Currently, I serve as the Captain of Twin Flame, a Lagoon 77 catamaran based in the Caribbean. Our charter experiences focus on luxury adventure, blending elements of foiling, SCUBA diving, and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. Through innovative partnerships and a shared vision with the owners, we've redefined the Caribbean Charter Yacht experience, prioritizing environmental connection and sustainable practices.

In addition to my role as a yacht captain, I'm also the founder of Revive Water Systems, where we specialize in post-RO watermaker treatment. Our system transforms stripped product water into mineral-rich, alkaline water, promoting maximum hydration and eliminating the need for plastic water bottles onboard. This endeavor stems from my firsthand experience recognizing the necessity for remineralization in combating the detrimental effects of consuming desalinated water over the long term.

I believe that the intersection of my experiences as a yacht captain and marine engineer, coupled with my entrepreneurial journey with Revive Water Systems, offers a unique perspective that would resonate with your audience. I'm eager to discuss topics such as:

 	* The development of innovative marine systems and scaling a business within the industry.
 	* The health benefits of incorporating a Revive Water System onboard and its synergy with RO Desalinators/Watermakers.
 	* Insights into running a large catamaran in the Caribbean and crafting a distinctive charter experience.
 	* Exploring the breathtaking adventures and favorite cruising grounds of the Caribbean.
 	* Sharing insights on navigating a career path in the Yachting Industry and crafting a fulfilling life on the water.

To assist with your research, I've included links to S/V Twin Flame's captivating website/promo video (www.sailtwinflame.com)  and to Revive Water Systems (www.revivewatersystems.com).

 

 



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.
If you're interested in my sailing instructional audio series here are the links:
Sailing! Learn to Sail: Basic Keelboat Certification Lessons for the ASA 101 Exam
https://gumroad.com/l/Eiig
Sailing!

Sailing in the Mediterranean Episode 284 Kieran Brown corrected

Sailing in the Mediterranean Episode 284 Kieran Brown

Sailing with Norman Jewison: A Memorable Adventure




I want to share some memories I have about my time sailing with Norman Jewison.



Norman Jewison was a remarkable man whose life and achievements left an indelible mark on me and those around him. Though my interactions with Norman Jewison, and his at the time girlfriend, Lynn St David were primarily through our shared pleasures of skiing and sailing, I always held great admiration for Norman's illustrious career. His contributions to the film industry were unparalleled, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

The news of his passing on January 22, 2024 at the age of 97 has caused me to reflect and reminisce about the time we spent together.

The first time, in the year 2000, after he received the DeBeers Diamond award at the Taormina Film Festival for his Film Jesus Christ Superstar.

When Lynn and he arrived at the boat In Puerto Rosa in Northern Sicily, I can only imagine what Lynn thought she  saw my boat. I don't think it is what Lynn was expecting. However, Lynn was a trooper and made the best of what I'm sure she thought was a terrible situation. We proceeded to have the worst weather of any one week that I've spent in the Mediterranean with guests. It could not have been worse.



That first night on the island of Volcano, it was flat calm when we anchored then after the sun went down the wind came up, and up, and up, and that quiet safe anchorage became a dangerous lee shore. I decided it would be more dangerous to try and move the boat in the night, so I decided I had better keep an anchor watch. The boat was rocking and bucking all night long, I couldn't imagine that Lynn and Norman Jewison were able to sleep up in the forward berth. The boat next to us dragged its anchor, and I watched it slowly move downwind and ended up on shore. The next morning the wind died to nothing again, and then we went and enjoyed the mud baths. My skin stank for weeks, smelling of the sulfur mud after that no matter how much I went swimming.

Then we sailed around the island of Lipari and tied up on the uncomfortable, surging concrete quay in the city of Lipari that next night. Then the weather started to deteriorate again, and we were stuck there for several days.



We were bored just sitting around the harbor, so on July 12th, 2000, we rented scooters to drive around the island, that was my birthday and we stopped at that little restaurant in the middle of the island. Lynn and Norman bought me lunch as a celebration, and then we decided to turn around and go see some caves. In turning around the scooter, the clutch grabbed and accelerated into the rock wall lining the road. I was so worried about Lynn two, but Norman Jewison was just sitting there on the pavement with a bloody arm laughing. What a great sense of humor!



To top off the evening after supper, Lynn fell into the water when it was dark while trying to get on the boat in that surging harbor. Lynn could have easily been seriously hurt, but fortunately, Lynn just got wet, and a bit pissed off.



Finally, the weather broke, and I thought I had a weather window to go enjoy some of the other islands, so we sailed on up to the island of Panarea. Again, in the middle of the night, the weather came up, and we were in a dangerous lee shore situation, again... Norman took the helm well I brought up the anchor, in the process we were swinging back and forth coming very close to bumping into another boat at anchor who was also dealing with the same wind and trying to get out of there. So back to Lipari we go. This time it was very difficult to find an anchorage because it was so deep and so many other boats had run for shelter, we finally tucked back into a corner with a lot ...

Sailing With Norman Jewison

Sailing in the Mediterranean Episode 282 Andrew Vic 2023 pt 3 and crew positions for the Spring sailing season in the Caribbean




In this episode, I disclose that all my upcoming spring sailing season in the Caribbean available crew positions have been filled.  Fut if you are interested in getting on the list of futer sailing adventures just write ma and include your phone number to franz1 at this website domain (I can't provide the full email address in text to avoid spam bots).




This is an interview with Andrew Vic where we talk about his 2023 summer sail from Sicily to Tunisia and back

Links to Vic's Google Earth kmz files are below

http://www.sailgeja.com/geja2023.kmz

Vic's Photos are here:

http://www.sailgeja.com/lat38-2023/

 

 

Folks are also welcome to have the entire library:

 

Lots of information here!

Andrews Website
http://www.sailgeja.com

Andrew Vic: A Journey on the High Seas

Andrew, a San Francisco native of Scandinavian descent, has always had a deep connection to the water. Born and raised in a city surrounded by the stunning expanse of the Pacific Ocean, it was only natural that he would find himself drawn to a life at sea. His maritime adventures began in the early 2000s, when he embarked on a sailing journey that would shape the course of his life.

In the year 2000, Andrew took his first steps into the world of sailing on the iconic San Francisco Bay. With its gusty winds and challenging currents, the bay provided the perfect training ground for a budding sailor. Andrew quickly became adept at navigating the often turbulent waters of this picturesque location, honing his skills and fostering a love for the open sea.

As the years passed, Andrew's passion for sailing grew, and he sought to explore new horizons. During recent summers, he took command of the Geja, a vessel that would become his trusted companion on a remarkable journey. Setting sail from the Bay Area, he embarked on a maritime odyssey that covered over 12,000 nautical miles of Mediterranean waters.

His voyage took him along the coasts of some of Europe's most enchanting countries, including Italy, France, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, and Greece. Each destination offered its own unique blend of culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes, making the journey an unforgettable experience.

While the Mediterranean served as Andrew's primary playground, he didn't limit his adventures to this region alone. He expanded his horizons and explored the waters of Mexico, Scandinavia, the Caribbean, the U.S. East Coast, the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and even ventured to the exotic paradise of French Polynesia. His thirst for adventure knew no bounds.

In late 2018, Andrew achieved a significant milestone in his sailing career. He joined the crew of an Amel 54 and set sail from the Canary Islands, embarking on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. This transatlantic journey marked a pivotal moment in his maritime endeavors, proving that he had the skill and courage to navigate the ocean.

Andrew's dedication to sailing and his commitment to safety are evident in his achievement of a United States Coast Guard Mariners License. This certification is a testament to his expertise and his ability to operate vessels with the utmost responsibility.

Andrew's journey from a San Francisco native with Scandinavian roots to an experi...

Sailing in the Mediterranean Episode 278 Chris Ryba of S/Y Olivia Grace

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