The Sailing Podcast

Welcome to a very special, two-part edition of The Sailing Podcast with host Theo Stocker. In Episode 19 (Part 1), we are on board the beautiful Oyster 485 Escapade of Reim in Gosport with her owner, Commodore (Retd) Richard Farrington CBE.

Over a distinguished 36-year career in the Royal Navy, Richard commanded everything from wooden mine hunters to massive fleet flotillas. In this gripping first instalment, Richard takes us behind the scenes of precision ship handling, the evolution of maritime technology, and his fascinating time on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy.

But the heart of this episode centres on one fateful night in the middle of the Tasman Sea — the terrifying grounding of the Type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham.

Richard vividly recounts the exact moment the ship struck rock at 25 knots, the absolute bedlam of the bridge alarms, and what he calls the "spin-dryer effect" as the ocean threatened to tear his ship apart. Learn how a tight-knit crew, manual steering overrides, and a helicopter's compass kept 260 souls from sinking into the dark.

🔔 This is Part 1 of a truly unmissable two-part story. Hit Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss Part 2 next week!
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In Episode 18 of The Sailing Podcast, host Theo Stocker sits down aboard the iconic Suhaili with a man who needs no introduction: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE. He is arguably the greatest sailor of all time.

As the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world (1968 Golden Globe Race), Sir Robin changed offshore racing forever. In this exclusive chat, he reflects on his legendary master mariner background, shares harrowing stories of surviving the Southern Ocean, and explains why he donated his prize money to Donald Crowhurst’s family.

We also dive into his fiery defence against the myth that sailing is an 'elite' sport, the creation of Clipper Ventures, and an insider look at the brand-new Clipper fleet being built.

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Picture this: It's a dark, wet evening in Salcombe. A massive 40-foot cruising yacht pulls up to the pontoon, and the skipper is screaming at his terrified teenage kids because they cleated a line wrong. The holiday is ruined, the crew is miserable, and the skipper is utterly disappointed in himself. How do we avoid becoming that grumpy, overwhelmed dad?

Welcome to The Sailing Podcast, sponsored by Sunsail. This week host, Theo Stocker and his guest. Justin Morton talk about what it actually takes to be a great skipper.

The pair dive deep into 'unequal sailing partnerships,' the psychological difference between real danger and perceived fear, and why cutting a long-planned cruise short might be the ultimate sign of a successful voyage. If you've ever worried about stretching your family's tolerance on the water, this episode is an absolute must-listen.

Timestamps
00:45 – The Snakes and Ladders of Sailing
02:45 – A Sailor’s Confession
06:00 – Justin's first command: Surviving spinnaker carnage on a Hunter Horizon
11:45 – The Grumpy Skipper Trap
16:30 – Event Management at Sea
19:35 – The cautionary tale of an 8-meter catamaran and forced cross-channel runs
24:35 – When Fear Meets Reality
34:10 – Knowing when to cut your holiday short
41:00 – Why the small, rubbish boats have more fun
43:00 – How to build boat-handling skills
47:25 – The Lost Art of Heaving-To
53:50 – Why couples should do shore-based courses together but practical courses apart
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What happens when a professional adventurer – a man who has dived with crocodiles and worked as a Cornish crab fisherman – meets a 7-ton Colvic 34 in a crowded marina? You get a masterclass in humility.

In episode 16 of The Sailing Podcast, sponsored by Sunsail, host Theo Stocker sat down with Monty Halls to hear how he’s getting on three years into his sailing journey. From his 'rodent-sized' therapy dog to the 3D-printed parts saving his prop shaft, Monty shares the highs and lows of life with his boat, Sobec.

It’s a hilarious, honest, and deeply relatable look at why we keep heading back out to sea, even when we’re convinced the boat is trying to kill us.

This episode is made possible by our sponsors, Sunsail. Whether you’re a seasoned skipper or just starting to fill your 'experience jar' like Monty, Sunsail makes getting on the water easy. Right now, you can get up to 20% off summer sailing holidays—from the steady winds of the Ionian to the hidden bays of Croatia. If you’re ready for more adventure and less routine, search Sunsail Summer Sailing Special or use this url: https://bit.ly/4tkrUrk

Timestamps
01:45 – The Luck Jar vs. The Experience Jar: Why your luck eventually runs out.
05:10 – The P-Bracket disaster: 1970s technology meets 3D printing.
12:30 – Meeting Dasher: The "sociopathic" dachshund and the hunt for the perfect boat dog.
19:50 – From the Royal Marines to Blue Planet: A life shaped by the sea.
27:15 – The brutal reality of a Cornish crab fisherman (and why we have it easy).
38:40 – First time out on Sobec: "My predominant emotion was alarm."
46:15 – The "Fleshy Fender": How (not) to involve your family in close-quarters manoeuvring.
54:30 – The Boat Syndicate: Why Monty is using a "dating agency" to share his yacht
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Imagine dodging unpredictable ice floes in Antarctica, putting film crews in position for that perfect David Attenborough shot, and then—after a decade of professional high-stakes sailing—deciding the real adventure is actually a 42-foot cruiser, a three-year-old daughter, and a Wi-Fi signal in the Hebrides.

In this episode, Theo Stocker is joined by Charlie and Ed Hewitt of Ardent Training. They found a quiet corner at the Southampton Boat Show aboard a new Bavaria C46 to talk about their transition from professional whale-research skippers to "digital nomads."

They dive into how they’ve built a global online sailing school from the cabin of an 80s yacht, the reality of "working from bed" using a VR headset to escape the rain in Scotland, and why they traded the stress of Antarctic expeditions for the freedom of following the wind—wherever it happens to be blowing that day.

Brought to You By
This episode is made possible by our friends at Sunsail. If you’re ready for more wind in the sails and less routine on land, Sunsail’s summer offers are currently live with up to 20% off. Whether it’s a bareboat charter in Croatia or a guided flotilla in Greece, visit the link in the description to find your next escape. Find out more: https://www.sunsail.com/uk/offers/summer-sailing-special?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ssuk_sailingpodcast

Episode Timestamps

00:01:15 – High stakes in the ice: Dodging bergs and filming for Blue Planet.
00:08:30 – Meet Charlie and Ed: From Sea Cadets and the Navy to professional whale research.
00:22:45 – Buying "The Puppy": Why a cheap 1980s Van de Stadt was the key to their business freedom.
00:33:10 – The Digital Nomad life: Using Starlink to pitch to the government from St Kilda.
00:39:50 – The Virtual Office: How a VR headset solved the "working on a small boat" problem.
00:48:20 – Family on board: Raising a three-year-old and planning the next trip North.
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