Guy deBoer is preparing for the Golden Globe Race, which starts in September, and will try to be the first American to win a solo nonstop circumnavigation race. He was in the 2022 GGR, but went aground on a reef on Fuerteventura. He has since repaired the boat, Spirit, a Tashiba 36 and is entered in the race again.

We talk about the preparations he has been making to his boat, his two different windvane autopilots, his rig, his sails, bottom paint, different racing strategies (compared to 2022), his GGR tactical handbook - which he developed, the other skippers, the evolution of the race, the GGR compared to the Vendee Globe, how to win the race, avoiding bad decisions, avoiding ships, AIS, the rules, repairing his boat, The Canary Islands, delivering a Swan 57 from the Exumas to Rhode Island, celestial navigation, and more.

Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page

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Mara is a Norwegian sailor entered in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. She was doing her 4000nm qualifier for the GGR, sailing from Morocco to St Martin in the Caribbean in her 2001 Saltram Saga 36.

We talk about the journey she was on, her boat, the refit, roller furlers, staysails, solo sailing, livestreaming, sleeping while underway alone, spinnakers, how sailing changes us, her routine, exercise, sailing technique and lessons learned, biminis, whales, safety, tethers and jacklines, a difficult moment, a beautiful moment, what comes after the race, and more.

Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page

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Dudley Dix has been designing sailboats - monohulls, catamarans, and trimarans - since the 1970's and is still at it. His designs incorporate wood, fiberglass, steel, or aluminum, and he is the developer of the radius-chine plywood method. His latest design is the Didi 120 GSC, a 40' monohull designed specifically for the Global Solo Challenge.

We talk about his sailing history, sailing in South Africa, how he got involved in sailboat design, his design philosopy, sailing in the Cape to Rio Race, flying a spinnaker in 35 knots, the radius chine plywood method, capsizing in a storm, plywood construction, the Didi 120 GSC, sailing in giant swell, single rudder vs dual rudders, how to select a bluewater sailboat, comparing different materials for building boats, heavy vs light masts and the effect on stability, his two books "South Atlantic Capsize and Shaped" by "Wind and Wave," surfing, and more.

Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page

Support the show through Patreon

List or Browse sailboats for sale at sailboatsforsale.com

Get electrical help from Meridian Marine Electrical

Shop dinghy navigation lights at ShowMeYourDinghy.com