PODCAST · education
Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast
by Penny Caldwell
Hey sailor! My name is Penny and I have been a sailing coach with Sail Canada for over 25 years! I have helped thousands of sailors find their passion and love of all things sailing. I'm here to help you live your best sailing life. I provide gear reviews, sailing tips, habits to perfect and much more! So, sit back and enjoy some informative, entertaining, unique sailing content! See you on the water ;-) Don't miss an episode! https://wavve.link/_QdonK50x/episodes
Episodes
-
Episode 7 The Skipper Mindset Shift NEW SERIES: From Passenger to Confident Skipper!
There comes a point in almost every sailor's journey when you realize something interesting: you probably already know more than you think you do! You can steer the boat. You understand the sails. You can dock, anchor, navigate and keep watch. You've learned how to communicate with your crew…
more -
Episode 6 When Things Go Sideways: Staying Calm Under Pressure NEW SERIES: From Passenger to Confident Skipper!
Every sailor eventually has one of those moments. The docking approach isn't working. The wind suddenly picks up. The engine won't start when you need it. A crew member becomes sick. Something breaks. Or perhaps several small things start happening at exactly the same time. It's easy to think…
more -
Episode 5 Anchoring: Stop dragging for good NEW SERIES: From Passenger to Confident Skipper!
This episode we talk about anchoring! What, how, when, where... all the ins and outs of making sure the boat stays put, so you can have a great sleep. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Different Types of Anchors 14:12 Choosing the Right Anchor for Your Needs 16:58 Ideal Anchoring Conditions and Bottom...
-
Episode 4 Docking Without the Drama (Even in Tight Marinas) NEW SERIES: From Passenger to Confident Skipper!
Episode 4 of my new series From Passenger to Confident Skipper is all about docking! What equipment you need, how to practice and prepare for all scenarios, what to do with your crew, and more. Learn some expert tips on how to master docking your boat with confidence. Key Topics Docking equipment...
-
Episode 3 The key decisions every skipper must get right NEW SERIES: From Passenger to Confident Skipper!
One of the biggest shifts in sailing happens when you move from simply operating the boat to making the decisions that keep everyone safe and confident on the water. In this episode of Your Pocket Sailing Instructor, I break down the five key decisions every skipper needs to get right—from…
more -
Episode 2 Why you still don’t feel confident sailing NEW SERIES: From Passenger to Confident Skipper!
In Episode 2 of our series From Passenger to Confident Skipper, we dig into a frustrating but incredibly common feeling: you’ve spent time on the water, maybe even taken courses, yet that sense of true confidence still hasn’t clicked. Why? This episode breaks down the hidden gaps between…
more -
Episode 1 You've taken a course... now what? NEW SERIES: From Passenger to Confident Skipper!
I am staring an 8-episode series called "From Passenger to Confident Skipper". Each episode will focus on a different aspect of your voyage to becoming the most competent skipper you can be! This episode guides new sailors through the essential steps after completing a sailing course, emphasizing...
-
#86 SailTies: Turning Every Voyage Into a Story
I am SO excited to introduce you all to Sailties! This is an awesome app for sailors where we can log our trips, exchange information, create a sailor resume, look for adventures to join, and so much more! Today I'm interviewing the co-founders Chris and Tom. They will outline all of the…
more -
#85 From Impulse to Informed: Graham's Boat Buying Journey
In this conversation, Graham shares his journey into sailing and boat ownership, detailing his experiences with purchasing his first boat, Ringo, and the lessons learned along the way. He discusses the importance of research in selecting the right boat, the renovations and upgrades he undertook,...
-
#84 Essential Tips for First-Time Boat Buyers!
In this episode of Your Pocket Sailing Instructor, Coach Penny discusses essential considerations for buying a boat. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your boating environment, choosing the right size and type of boat, and the significance of insurance and budget. Penny also covers…
more -
#83 Mastering Winches: A Sailor's Guide!
In this episode of Your Pocket Sailing Instructor, Penny discusses the essential sailing equipment known as winches. She provides a historical overview of winches, explaining their evolution and significance in sailing. The conversation covers different types of winches, including self-tailing…
more -
#82 Equipment Upgrades! NOW is the time!!
In this episode of 'Your Pocket Sailing Instructor,' Coach Penny Caldwell dives into the exciting world of boat show season, emphasizing the importance of taking advantage of sales and upgrades for your boat. She discusses the typical timing of boat shows in North America, which generally occur...
-
#81 Am I ready for the Intermediate Bareboat Sailing course?
Summary In this episode of Your Pocket Sailing Instructor, Penny Caldwell discusses the Intermediate Cruising Course, also known as ASA 104. She outlines the prerequisites for the course, including prior sailing experience and necessary certifications. The course focuses on real-life navigation...
-
#80: Three Generations, One Boat: A Sailing Story
This past summer I was lucky enough to take my grandparents, mom and daughter on a sailing trip! It was VERY special to be able to share this experience with 4 generations on the boat... In this episode I talk about my preparation, things to think about, where we went, why we went there and some...
-
#79 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas!
Are you behind on your gifts this year? Not quite sure what to get your sailor? I've got you covered with a list of small to big gift ideas! Connect with Penny! - Support Penny on Patreon! - Learn more about Penny's sailing school! - Get in touch! - Take a course! - Penny's...
-
#78 Croatia 2025 Trip & Highlights!
Summary In this episode, Coach Penny shares her recent sailing adventure in Croatia, reflecting on her experiences from a previous trip and the differences in crew dynamics, boat choice, and anchoring strategies. She discusses the benefits of sailing on a catamaran, the importance of…
more -
BONUS: AI hosts discuss Bareboat Cruising course in Desolation Sound
Bonus episode created with Google Notebook LM.
-
#77 Creating an Itinerary! The basic steps...
Have an exciting trip in mind? This week I'm talking about creating an itinerary plan. How do I do it? What are the steps? Where should you spend the money and where can you save?
-
#76 Desolation Sound Mayday! :-(
This week I'm talking about a Mayday call we overheard while in Desolation Sound this past summer... Happy New Year and here's to 2025! Connect with Penny! - Support Penny on Patreon! - Learn more about Penny's sailing school! - Get in touch! - Take a course! - Penny's...
-
#75 Last Minute Gift Ideas for your Sailor!
I am WAY behind on my shopping this year, so thought I'd help put together some last minute ideas for you as well! Happy Holidays and looking forward to seeing you in 2025! Audio does not seem to be great this time around again. Still sorting out this new recording software they are making me...
-
#74 My Experience with AI ... yikes!
This week my friend Bob sent me a new tool called Google NotebookLM. I plopped my sailnelson.com website address into their system and within 5 minutes they sent out a 15 min podcast episode! It even has 2 presenters, loads of information from the website... I was a bit shocked. Have a listen and...
-
#73: Winterizing... we've come full circle LOL!
I'm back! FINALLY! Excited to be bringing a new episode to you! From a new house, new studio, and a new podcasting software! Yikes. This week I'm digging into Winterizing as we have two boats to winterize this year: one in the water, and one on the hard! I talk a bit about the differences. Here…
more -
#72: Standing Rigging 101: What to Check Before It Fails
This week I am digging into standing rigging checks thanks to a Patron! For those of you looking to offer some support, head on over to Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast - Penny Caldwell | creating awesome podcast episodes, useful checklists, & free dow | Patreonto check it out!
-
#72 Spring!! Maintenance & Shake Down Sail...
This week I'm giving you some Spring maintenance/check ideas and chatting about a shake down sail to get yourself set up for success! Spring Maintenance Checklist available for free download at sailnelson.com/podcast! Episode #51.
-
#71 How to build experience between courses!
This week I am answering a question that I get asked A LOT! How to get more experience in between courses. Not an easy task sometimes! Thanks for the question Ell, and please let me know what kind of sailing groups you guys have found to be useful! Enjoy!
-
#70 Tender 2.0
Finishing up our tender discussions and talking a bit more about how I am selecting my tender.
-
#69 New Tender Time!
This week I'm diving into a Spindrift project and researching new tenders. My last one met an unfortunate, and unexpected, end. Enjoy!
-
#68 Chartering in Croatia: Interview with Graham Toews
This week I have an interview with my friend and instructor Graham! Graham came to Croatia with me in 2022 and loved it so much that he returned in 2023. He's here to share some of his chartering tips and tricks! Enjoy!
-
Top 10 Experiences for your Sailor!
Are you looking for something unique to gift the sailor in your life? I've pulled together a list of some unique experiences to think about! 1. Sunset Sailing Cruise: Gift a serene evening sailing experience, allowing the sailor to enjoy the beauty of a sunset over the water. 2. Private Sailing...
-
#67 Your Personal Playlist!
This week I am providing you with a personalized playlist depending on where you are in your sailing journey. For those of you who are new to the podcast, welcome aboard and this will give you an idea on what to listen to! For those of you who have been around awhile, thank you, and this is a…
more -
#66 My Winterizing FAIL!!
Well, I have a dirty secret to share this week... Ugh. Enjoy! Don't forget to check out my Patreon page a patreon.com/yourpocketsailinginstructor ! Thanks for the ongoing support!
-
#65 Crew You! How to solve crew issues on your boat...
This week I am discussing crew dynamics (again) and some conflict resolution ideas. Ideally you avoid these conflicts form the beginning, but we all know that doesn't always happen! I hope you find some useful tips and please remember to like, share and subscribe to keep up to date on my…
more -
#64 Sailing (Han) Solo!
Are you looking to explore the world of solo sailing? I highly recommend it!! There are many benefits of solo sailing including: flexibility, adventure, problem-solving, personal satisfaction, etc. There are also several areas where you should focus your efforts to make sure your sail goes off...
-
#63 Your 2024 Seamanship Toolbox Kick Off Party!
This week I am trying out a few new things including a video podcast. Yikes. Today I am giving you some tools, skills and books to check out to kick off 2024 on the right foot. Here are a couple book recommendations, an essential knot recommendation, sail trim thoughts and docking maneuver to...
-
#62: Sails - Final steps
Alright we are finally wrapping up our Sail Series!! Talking about types of fabrics used for sails as well as different cuts that your sailmaker may suggest depending on your sailing goals. Enjoy!
-
#61: Sails - Finding a Sailmaker
This week I am talking about my process to find a match made in heaven! Finding the right sailmaker can go a long way. I have seen many sailors spend a lot of money and end up with so-so sails. Not good!
-
#60: Sails - Maintenance and DIY Repairs
coming soon!
-
#59: Sails - Prevention & Basic Maintenance
This week I am diving into all things sails! I talk about: - different foresails - sail parts - typical wear spots - basic checks to perform regularly - best practices to help keep your sails in good working order Will continue with more info next week too! Enjoy!
-
#58: When things go wrong... my 5 step process to stepping back and getting $hit done!
I have been MIA for a little bit as Spindrift has been keeping me on my toes! I fix one thing, and 5 more break requiring my attention. I have not been following my own advice and I have been caught up in the weeds! No more I say! So this week I sat down, wrote a list, and came up with my…
more -
#55: Chartering Step 1 - Choosing a destination
Coming soon
-
Technical Tuesday: Wind Indicator HACK!
This week we are talking about wind indicators and some of my tips to help you make sure you don't have a bad neck by the end of your sail! Sail Nelson: https://sailnelson.com/
-
#54: Recycling your Boat... what to do when it's time to say goodbye
It is the time of year when I see many boats not moving, some boats breaking free from their moorings, others being inhabited by wildlife... so many boats that are left unattended and languishing. So, I decided to put together some ideas and recommendations for what to do if it is time to...
-
#53: Crew Overboard: What to Do When Seconds Matter
Coming soon!
-
Technical Tuesday: Flares!
Today we are looking at the 4 approved types of flares in Canada: A) Parachute Flare B) Multi-Star Flare C) Hand-Held Flare D) Smoke Flare Remember that these are approved for 4 years from the manufacture date!
-
#52 Keels! Different types of keels and things to consider...
This week I am chatting about keel types: - Full Keel - Fin Keel -- bulb keel & wing keel - Bilge Keel Why would you select a certain keel, drawbacks and advantages of each, and maintenance... Show notes available at sailnelson.com/podcast!
-
Technical Tuesday: Boom Vangs
This week we are having a chat about boom vangs. I am often surprised at how many of my students purchase boats that do not have on rigged up! They are an essential part of trimming your sail and can be key when sailing in heavy weather. Some of the marine stores will have boom vang kits that you...
-
Technical Tuesday: Shackles
So this week we are talking about different types of shackles and their common uses. Also, what to look for when they start to wear down... - screw pin shackle - keyhole shackle - snap shackle - soft shackle Here are some useful links for you… Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailnelsonbc/...
-
#51 Spring Maintenance!
Today I am talking about spring maintenance! And yes, it is a LONG list! Here are some of the things I'll be sharing: - engine checks - standing rigging checks - running rigging checks - sail check - safety gear checks And much more! Head on over to sailnelson.com to join my email list so you…
more
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
Hey sailor! My name is Penny and I have been a sailing coach with Sail Canada for over 25 years! I have helped thousands of sailors find their passion and love of all things sailing. I'm here to help you live your best sailing life. I provide gear reviews, sailing tips, habits to perfect and much more! So, sit back and enjoy some informative, entertaining, unique sailing content! See you on the water ;-) Don't miss an episode! https://wavve.link/_QdonK50x/episodes
HOSTED BY
Penny Caldwell
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast have?
Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast currently has 104 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast about?
Hey sailor! My name is Penny and I have been a sailing coach with Sail Canada for over 25 years! I have helped thousands of sailors find their passion and love of all things sailing. I'm here to help you live your best sailing life. I provide gear reviews, sailing tips, habits to perfect and much...
How often does Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast release new episodes?
Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast publishes regularly with 104 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast?
You can listen to Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast 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 Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast?
Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast is created and hosted by Penny Caldwell.
URL copied to clipboard!