Welcome aboard another episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States! In Episode 149, your co-hosts Bela Musits and Mike Malekoff share their unforgettable experience sailing from Hampton, Virginia to Sandy Hook, New Jersey aboard Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon.

This episode is part of our special series chronicling our multi-week journey relocating the boat from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont. In this leg of the trip, we cover our passage through the Chesapeake Bay, across the Delaware Bay, and up the New Jersey coast — some of the most beautiful and challenging stretches on the East Coast.

🌊 Episode Highlights:

• Leaving Hampton, Virginia: Departing the sheltered waters of the Chesapeake and heading into open water always brings excitement and a bit of anxiety. Bela and Mike describe their strategy for choosing a good weather window and preparing the boat for offshore conditions.
  

• Offshore Sailing Along the New Jersey Coast: One of the most unpredictable parts of the trip, the Jersey coastline offers little protection from sudden changes in weather. Bela and Mike share how they adjusted their plans based on wind, sea state, and fatigue.
  

• Life Aboard the Boat: From cooking meals underway to dodging crab pots and commercial traffic, Bela and Mike reflect on the little things that make cruising both a challenge and a joy.
  

⚓ Why You Should Listen: Whether you're an experienced cruiser, a weekend sailor, or someone who dreams of sailing the Intracoastal Waterway and beyond, this episode offers a firsthand account of what it’s like to cruise up the U.S. East Coast. Learn what worked, what didn’t, and what they’d do differently next time. This episode is a goldmine of practical insights and personal stories.

📍 Locations Mentioned:

• Hampton, Virginia
  

• Chesapeake Bay
  

• C&D Canal
  

• Delaware Bay
  

• Cape May, NJ
  

• Atlantic City, NJ
  

• Sandy Hook, NJ
  

🧭 Keywords for SEO Discovery: Sailing Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay sailing, C&D Canal navigation, Hunter 44 Deck Salon, coastal cruising podcast, East Coast sailing, offshore sailing New Jersey, sailboat relocation, sailing adventures, Sandy Hook sailing, cruising the East Coast, sailing podcast, ICW sailing series, marina hopping on the East Coast.

Subscribe & Follow: Don’t miss upcoming episodes as Bela and Mike continue their journey north! Subscribe to Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

Thanks for Listening!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing the podcast — it helps more sailors and dreamers discover the show. Have a sailing story or technical tip you’d like to share? Reach out via email at sailingtheeast@gmail.com

In this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States, Bela Musits and co-host Mike Wasserman welcome Robert Sweet — a sailor with an unconventional beginning. Robert lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, far from the ocean. Yet his passion for sailing grew steadily, from childhood outings on a 19-foot O’Day Day Sailer to charting trips in the Virgin Islands.

Bela and Robert dive into the unique challenges and rewards of becoming a boat owner later in life. Robert shares how he and his wife — both in their 60s — transitioned from occasional day sails on vacation to seriously planning for boat ownership. Their journey began with modest sailing experiences with the occasional skippered day sail. Over decades, the idea of owning a boat evolved from a casual dream into a concrete goal.

To prepare, Robert and his wife booked progressively more immersive sailing experiences. They spent a night aboard a sailboat on Puget Sound, completed ASA 101 and 103 courses in San Diego, and tested overnight stays in various harbors. Each step helped fill gaps in their knowledge.

The couple planned two key charters to shape their buying decisions: a three-day trip in the Florida Keys aboard a heavy, blue-water center-cockpit boat, and a week in the Virgin Islands on a modern production cruiser — a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey. Their goal was to compare styles, comfort, and performance before committing to a purchase.

But as often happens, life intervened. The Florida Keys trip was postponed three times — first by Robert’s mountain biking injury, then by his wife’s back surgery, and finally by scheduling changes. Eventually, they made the Keys trip in December, followed by the Virgin Islands charter over Easter.

During the downtime, Robert immersed himself in research — online articles, boat buying guides, and, crucially, sailing podcasts. He discovered Bela’s show and was struck by the host’s perspective as an “older buyer.” Unlike the typical narrative of a 30-year-old dropping everything to sail away, Bela’s discussions addressed the practical realities of starting serious sailing later in life: ergonomics, safety, injury prevention, and choosing a boat suited to physical comfort.

Robert emphasizes that boat accessibility is a real concern. Newer boats often have higher freeboards, making boarding a challenge — especially for shorter crew members. Testing boarding methods became part of their evaluation process when visiting marinas and inspecting potential boats.

Robert’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to grow up near the sea to become a competent and passionate sailor. His methodical approach — gaining experience in varied conditions, learning boat systems, and realistically assessing personal capabilities — offers valuable lessons for anyone considering buying a boat later in life.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Growing up sailing small boats and rediscovering the sport decades later

• Transitioning from day sails to overnight trips and multi-day charters

• Taking ASA sailing courses to build confidence and competence

• Comparing blue-water cruisers vs. modern production boats

• Overcoming physical and logistical challenges as older sailors

• How to evaluate boarding ease, cockpit layout, and overall ergonomics

• The importance of testing boats in different sailing locations and conditions

Whether you’re an experienced sailor, a dreamer still waiting to cast off, or someone returning to sailing after many years, Robert’s journey proves that passion and persistence can bridge the gap between landlocked life and cruising the Bahamas.

Connect With Us:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you! Send us your comments and suggestions. sailingtheeast@gmail.com

Happy Sailing!

Bela and Mike

Join hosts Bela Musits and Mike Malekoff in this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States as they document their exciting leg of the journey from Chesapeake, Virginia to Hampton, Virginia aboard a Hunter 44 Deck Salon. This episode is part of an ongoing series chronicling their northbound passage from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont.

In this episode, recorded live aboard the boat, Bela and Mike share real-time reflections from the cockpit and evenings at anchor or in marinas. They offer a firsthand account of the sailing conditions, navigation challenges, and memorable moments that defined this segment of their trip.

🧭 Topics Covered:

• Going through the only lock on the ICW

• Maneuvering through strong currents and shifting winds

• Sailing past historic landmarks and naval installations

• Tips for dealing with channel markers and tugboats

• Arrival logistics and docking strategy in Hampton Marina
  

🎙️ Bela and Mike reflect on the beauty of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and the contrast between the serenity of the Dismal Swamp and the busy commercial traffic near Norfolk. They also discuss the technical aspects of navigating this section of the ICW, sharing helpful advice for fellow cruisers.

📸 While the video version of this episode includes snapshots and brief video clips from their journey, this audio episode captures the authenticity of cruising life—complete with the ambient sounds of wind, water, and marina life.

Why Listen? Whether you're planning your own coastal adventure, dreaming of the liveaboard lifestyle, or just love the thrill of maritime travel, this episode offers valuable insights, humor, and the camaraderie that comes with sailing long distances. Learn from seasoned cruisers as they recount both the joys and lessons of this part of the East Coast voyage.

🔍 Keywords for Search/SEO: Sailing Chesapeake Bay, Hampton Virginia sailing, Intracoastal Waterway, Dismal Swamp Canal, Hunter 44 Deck Salon, sailing podcast East Coast, cruising the ICW, Norfolk harbor, coastal navigation, liveaboard sailboat, sailing with Bela Musits and Mike Malekoff

Subscribe & Follow: Don’t miss upcoming episodes as Bela and Mike continue their journey north! Subscribe to Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

Thanks for Listening!If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and reviewing the podcast — it helps more sailors and dreamers discover the show. Have a sailing story or technical tip you’d like to share? Reach out via email at sailingtheeast@gmail.com