PODCAST · history
Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense
by Captain Johann Steinke
Welcome to the wonderfully wild world of salty sailors, boat life, ship‘s work and fun! If you are interested in boats, ships, maritime-industry, sailing, history, the sea and drunken sailor debauchery, then come join captain Johann Steinke as he shares this exciting world with you. He hopes you will find this podcast fun, informative, and possibly even inspiring... but mostly he wants you to be entertained. So come gather around and listen to a few good yarns as you enter the world of Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense!!
Episodes
-
40. Hell at Sea- The Wreck of the Medusa
THIS EPISODE IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN!! This is, in my opinion, the worst sea disaster ever recorded, and also one of the least known to the general public. I think there are many lessons that can be taken from this event that can help people directly. The madness that occurred on the…
more -
39. Catalina Channel Swimmer- Ali LaBonte
In September 2022 Ali LaBonte swam the Catalina Channel in California. This was a long-term dream and goal of hers. In the interview she explains in detail how she was able to accomplish this. I learned a lot about these types of endurance swims from her and her swim in particular. I am very...
-
38. Hippie Fisherman- Jim Peacock
My apologies for not publishing in a while; life has been insanely busy. Jim Peacock is a hippie fisherman who has some great stories to share (storms, close calls, the hippie and fishing life). He also has been a major part of the Pacific Northwest wooden boat world, and you will hear my shock…
more -
37. Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Chief- Bill Larsen, USN Retired
Sometimes you meet people with whom you have an instant rapport. That is how it felt interviewing Bill Larsen in this episode. Bill was a Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Chief and the whole time I spoke to him it felt like talking to an old shipmate. I learned a lot during the interview about...
-
36. Sexy Spanish Sailor and Viking Shipmate- Pelayo
Pelayo and I met while sailing and working on the world's largest Viking ship the "Draken". Pelayo is an incredibly intelligent, funny and talented human being, and I am sure the joy we had in getting caught up came out in our conversation. Our chat took us from our meeting in Norway, to the time...
-
35. Quarantined Way Too Long On a Destroyer- Kyle Wilson, USN
This is the first episode where I get to really talk about what life was like during Covid for many of our sailors in the US Navy. It's very interesting hearing about all the difficulties and problems faced by Kyle while quarantined on his ship, and how they were dealt with. My apologies for not...
-
34. Backseat Captaining
In this episode I talk about "backseat captaining" and why I can't stand it. I go through numerous reasons why I think it's bad, and give suggestions on better ways to critique or help other captains and mariners out there. I go through my personal thoughts on how best to navigate The Rules of…
more -
33. Racing Sailor and Tallship Captain- Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith is a semi-professional racer and a tallship captain. Our conversation ranges all over the place, but actually starts with COVID (which might be a first for my interviews, for I think it's only been mentioned in passing before). We also talk sailing, leadership, tallships and history....
-
32. Navy Aircraft Technician and Maintenance Manager- Robert Armer
Robert Armer is the first person I have interviewed who has dedicated his adult life to a career in the US Navy. He is a gifted story teller and has had first hand experience with many changes in the US Navy over the past few decades. He got to see the ships transition from all-male crews to…
more -
31. ”And then I shot myself in the hand...” Boat Stalker- Steve Bennet
Steve Bennet is a wonderful person who followed my ship and crew for a few months and quickly became a family friend. He has had absolutely incredible life adventures! In this interview we mostly focus on his first and second years working on boats in Alaska, but we also range all over the place…
more -
30.Historian and Youtube Sensation!!- Brandon F.
In this episode I got to talk to Brandon F. Brandon makes historical Youtube videos that have received millions of views! Several of them also have nautical themes and so we discuss that as well as possible future maritime-related videos. We also go on a few funny historical rants, and just in...
-
29. A Delightful Interview with Sailor and Bosun- Liz Dal Bon
In this very fun and funny interview with my old shipmate Liz Dal Bon (featured in the Valentines Day Special, Episode 17) we sit down and have a delightful clash of cultures in a way that only two old shipmates can. We delve into her back ground and what got her into boats, and we have some…
more -
28. English World Cruiser and Old Viking Shipmate- Jamie Wharram
Jamie was featured in the "Valentines Day Special" (Episode 17), where he got poked fun of quite a bit and took it very well. In this episode we get into Jamie's unique upbringing sailing around the world on a "catamaran" (Actually, technically a "double canoe"). We also get into our experiences…
more -
27. Celebrity Interview with Solo Sailor- Steven Ladd
My first celebrity interview! Steven Ladd was nice enough to let me interview him about the two books he wrote. They are about the incredible adventures he as been on. One was his solo voyage for 3 years on a 12 foot boat of his own design and making. The other was with him and his now wife and…
more -
26. A Brief Update and What is Coming Up
Just a quick message to fans of the show as to why I haven't been able to post weekly for the past few weeks and also a few hints about some exciting future episodes coming up!
-
25. San Fran Sailor and Old Shipmate- Jordan Little
Such an awesome interview! So much fun and such natural back and forth sailor banter! We talk about the crazy roleplaying that happens on boats, the illegal stealing and subsequent recovery of his boat "Lumpy Space Princess", as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers, Japanese gift-giving…
more -
24. Horror at Sea- My Tallship Captain’s Perspective on the Tragic Story of the Whaling Ship Essex
Before the sinking of the Titanic the most well-known tragedy at sea was about the whaling ship Essex. If you have never heard of this story then you must listen to this episode, and if you have heard the story, I would still recommend you listen to this episode. In it I give you my perspective…
more -
23. Surfer Dude Down Under!!- ChristianDenham
An old friend and incredible character, Christian and I get caught up and have a very candid conversation about surfing, big waves, sharks, and psychedelic drugs. Also, Christian worked at the night club in Bali that was the site of the worst terrorist attack in Australian history, and is very…
more -
22. Maine Windjammer Captain- Barry King
Barry King sails the engineless Maine Windjammer Schooner the "Mary Day". A former captain of mine and very influential person in my tallship career, Barry and I talk about what led him to the Mary Day, finding one's "home" or "path" in life, some leadership and boat lessons that can save your...
-
21. Sea Scout Leader and Old School Mariner- Tom Rogers
I got to sit down with two other captains (Tom Rogers and Ken Lazarus) to talk all about the Sea Scouts program in Tacoma WA. Tom was the star of the show with over 60 years experience working with the Sea Scouts. We talk all about the program and the life-long impact it has on so many. We also...
-
20. Semi-Sober Interview with Old Shipmate- Preston
Preston is one of my closest and funniest old shipmates and in this interview we go deep. Here is some of what is semi-soberly discussed: wooden boats having more of a spirit than boats made from other materials, the time I was hitchhiking in Japan and briefly became part of a Shinto Priest…
more -
19. NOAA Commander- Carl Rhodes
On the day after his promotion I got to interview Commander Carl Rhodes of the NOAA Corps. It was a real pleasure to interview the person who nearly drove off the road from laughing so hard at some of my earlier episodes! (Thankfully he did not; think of the disclaimer!) :) Anyhow, we had a great...
-
18. Tallship Volunteer Extraordinaire- Jenny Storm
Jenny Storm and I share some of the funniest stories of my tallship career as well as some some scary close-calls! We delve into the many aspects of boat life from steering, shipmates, and singing, to cooks, cooking and chores. We also bring up our geekier sides, discussing reenacting and LARPing...
-
17. Valentines Day Special: Couples on Boats- A Hilarious Interview with 2 Couples
Happy Valentines Day everyone! Please enjoy this hilarious and fun-loving interview with me, my wife Megan, and two old shipmates Jamie and Liz. We try to stick to what it's like to be a couple on boats (the good and the bad), but the conversation definitely also touches on a lot of... well…
more -
16. It’s a Livin’ Thing: Liveaboard Sailor- Greta Varien
A successful former teenage mother who single-handedly raised a successful son in a very alternative lifestyle, Greta shares not only her liveaboard world but also how she was able to overcome the many hardships she faced. In this interview (recorded on Greta's boat) we cover many topics:...
-
15. Miner, Antarctic Driller, and Old Shipmate- Ethan Welshon
This interview shows the positive effects old shipmates can unknowingly have in each other's lives. In this interview Ethan learns that he was directly responsible for the place and manner in which I proposed to my now wife. And I learn that his time on tallships with me directly influenced his...
-
14. Best Retirement Ever!- Mark Galipeau
Retired elementary teacher turned sailor, Mark was mentioned in last week's episode (#12) as the fellow who got me into contra dancing. My former landlord turned sailor after hanging out with my old shipmates on my bachelor party, he has had a wild and wide-ranging retirement. From sailing on...
-
13. Moving Heavy Things
A review of an excellent book that has saved my back on more than one occasion! In this episode you will get a hint of the wisdom and practical knowledge offered by this book, as well as my real-life (and sometimes embarrassing) stories of moving heavy things, mostly from my time on the Viking...
-
12. Tug Life: Tugboat Operator- Megan Emerson
A very pleasant, informative interview, and a must listen for boaters who sail in waters with tugboats! Megan and I discuss her Alaskan background, what got her into tug boats, and some of the near misses and not-so-near misses that occur when pushing tens of thousands of tons of barges. We get...
-
11. Drunken Interview with Crazy Ivan
A fun and progressively less-sober interview with tugboat worker and old shipmate Crazy Ivan. In addition to his patented method of sailing under bridges at high tide that he technically should not be able to clear, we also talk about pranks, boat handling, sea stowing, rough seas, dive bars…
more -
10. Fishing, Fighting and Feats of Strength: The Bear of the Sea, the Giant Jim Patillo
The story of the little known, yet legendary Jim Patillo. A Glouster fisherman of incredible strength, he lived a wild and rough life. Here are just a few of his stories that will have you wondering why more people have never heard of this maritime figure. Book Used for Source Material: "Bear of...
-
9. A Gale of a Tale: Old Shipmate- Steve (Mongo) Kasper
Steve was at my side in the worst seas I have ever been in! We talk about this and what was one of the wildest times I ever had on tallships. It wasn't just the seas, but also the colorful cast of characters on the ship! There are many funny stories, nerve-wracking moments, exploding…
more -
8. Professional Mariner- John Gandy
John Gandy had a military and civilian maritime career, and now (when not sailing) spends his time restoring old vessels and keeping history alive. In this interview John discusses in detail, little-known vessel handling techniques as well as interesting, little-known navigational aid knowledge....
-
7. Sea Shanties (but I am not going to sing a shanty in this episode!!)
In this episode I DO NOT sing any sea shanties NOR do I talk about the different types of sea shanties, their history, etc. Rather, this episode is about my experience with and celebrating people coming together to share and sing songs (which include sea shanties of course). I talk about the...
-
6. One Bad Mother F#$%&er! and Old Shipmate- Leon Brooks
I sit down with the man, the legend, Leon Brooks. An Aikido Master, Sci-Fi Enthusiast, Professional Reenactor and Tallship Sailor; our discussion touches on African and African American maritime history, sea sickness, washing blood off decks, aikido, reenacting, Sci-fi, his first time being a...
-
5. Hurricane Sinking Survivor & Old Shipmate- Josh Scornavacchi
A survivor of the sinking of the HMS Bounty replica during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Josh recounts his harrowing experiences before, during and after the hurricane and the sinking of his ship. We wrap up with some of Josh's suggestions for practical, extreme-weather survival gear from his…
more -
4. Boat Groupie and Old Shipmate- Jenny Haaland
A wonderfully joyful interview with one of my dearest old shipmates. Jenny and I talk about "The Family" which was our first crew on the Lady Washington. Her first experiences on boats and how they can be indirectly traced back to the Playboy Mansion Halloween Party! We also recount fun parties,...
-
3. Master and Commander Movie and the Patrick O‘ Brian Novels Review
My first solo episode where I review the movie Master and Commander, and also review the Patrick O' Brian novels, all from a tallship captain/sailor's perspective. If you've never heard of this movie or the books, then you must listen and learn why people love them! If you are already a big fan,...
-
2. Professional Mariner and Columbia River Bar Pilot- Michael Tolley
Michael Tolley is a Columbia River Bar Pilot, which is one of the most dangerous and stressful maritime jobs in the world! In this interview we talk not only about his work but also his colorful career including the time he got stranded in the desert in Kuwait, got attacked by pirates... twice…
more -
1. The Podcast’s Maiden Voyage: Old Shipmates- Otis and Newt
The maiden voyage of Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense! Two old shipmates and I recount our crazy sailor stories and times together during our first days sailing. Everything from the most embarrassing (and in hind-sight hilarious) day in West Coast tallship history, to the most epic seasickness…
more -
A Message for First-time Listeners
A brief message for first-time listeners on what to expect and get from the podcast.
-
What is Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense all about?
A quick trailer to give you an idea about what to expect from this podcast.
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to the wonderfully wild world of salty sailors, boat life, ship‘s work and fun! If you are interested in boats, ships, maritime-industry, sailing, history, the sea and drunken sailor debauchery, then come join captain Johann Steinke as he shares this exciting world with you. He hopes you will find this podcast fun, informative, and possibly even inspiring... but mostly he wants you to be entertained. So come gather around and listen to a few good yarns as you enter the world of Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense!!
HOSTED BY
Captain Johann Steinke
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense have?
Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense about?
Welcome to the wonderfully wild world of salty sailors, boat life, ship‘s work and fun! If you are interested in boats, ships, maritime-industry, sailing, history, the sea and drunken sailor debauchery, then come join captain Johann Steinke as he shares this exciting world with you. He hopes you...
How often does Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense release new episodes?
Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense?
You can listen to Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense?
Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense is created and hosted by Captain Johann Steinke.
URL copied to clipboard!