Podcast Season 1 Episode 1: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston: Solo Sailing, Isolation, and staying productive. Season 1 Episode 1 Salty Journals Podcast

Sailing solo, looking back this episode shared a lot of similarities with the Covid situation at the time – the themes of isolation, self-management and determination.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston: Solo Sailing, Isolation, and staying productive. Season 1 Episode 1 Salty Journals Podcast

The year 1968 remains one of the most tumultuous single years in history, marked by historic achievements, shocking assassinations, a much debated war and a strong spirit of rebellion in the air that swept through countries all over the world. Occurring at the dawn of the television age, the historic events of 1968 also played out on TV screens across the world, bringing them home in a way that had never been possible before.

Things didn’t calm down much in 1969. The major News Stories of the year include The Beatles’ last public performance, on the roof of Apple Records, First Concorde test flight. Woodstock. As well as the first man to The first man to land on the moon. That was the  Apollo 11 mission with Neil Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin.

It was against this backdrop in history that he Sunday Times Golden Globe race finished. That was audio you heard just before.

9 men started that race and only one finished.

That man was Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. Sire Robin and his 9.75m traditional ketich rigged double ended yacht Suhaili who at the start, was considered the most unlikely boat and given no chance.

It was a funny sort of race, with no real rules, no official start line and you could set off when you were ready. But the prize was worth having — £5000 — which would be worth a lot more today!  And of course the achievement beyond price: the objective was to be the first to sail single-handed non-stop round the world.

Sir Robin Knox-Johston

You can read more about Sir Robin Knox-Johston here:

Podcast Season 1: Salty Journals Interviews

Welcome to the Salty Journals podcast, where we bring together stories and tales from ocean lovers like surfers, kitesurfers, Freedivers, Spearfishers, and anyone who enjoys spending time on the beach.

Our podcast can be found on:

Episode 1: In our first episode, we take a look at the historic events of 1968 and 1969, including the Sunday Times Golden Globe race, where 9 men set out to sail single-handed non-stop around the world and only one finished. We also delve into the story of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the man who completed the race and his unlikely boat, Suhaili.

Episode 2: In our second episode, we chat with Valentine Thomas, a former finance lawyer who traded in her business suit for a wet suit and became a well-known spearfisher and Instagram star. Valentine shares her experiences diving with whale sharks, lobsters, and African pompanos, her message of conservation, and her 2013 world record catch of an Atlantic Horse-eye Jack.

We hope you’ll tune in and join us on our ocean adventures. And don’t forget to support our podcast on https://anchor.fm/saltyjournals/support

Meditation and the Ocean

Meditation has been shown to have a variety of benefits for mental and physical health. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, increase feelings of well-being, and even lower blood pressure. Meditation can also improve focus and concentration, and may help with symptoms of conditions such as depression and chronic pain.

Being in nature has also been shown to have a variety of benefits for mental and physical health. It can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase feelings of well-being. Spending time in nature can also improve focus and concentration, and may help with symptoms of conditions such as depression and chronic pain. Additionally, being in nature can also help to improve physical fitness and boost the immune system.

We are excited to announce that we are currently working on a series of ocean-themed meditation videos and audio exercises.

These videos and exercises are designed to help the viewer or listener connect with the ocean and water, even if they are not near a body of water. Our guided meditations and exercises incorporate the sights, sounds and sensations of the ocean to help you achieve a deeper level of relaxation and connection to nature.

Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve focus, or just need a moment of calm in your day, our ocean-themed meditations are the perfect way to take a mental vacation and rejuvenate your mind and body. So, you can enjoy the benefits of being near the ocean wherever you are, whenever you want.

Beach drone photo with person laying on their back in the water.
Ocean Meditation.

Boat Electrics: Solar Power

Solar power has become a popular option for powering boats, as it is a clean, renewable energy source that can be used to supplement or replace traditional fossil fuel-powered systems. The main components of a solar power system for a boat include solar panels, a charge controller, and a battery bank.

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic panels, convert the energy from the sun into electricity. The charge controller regulates the amount of power flowing from the panels to the battery bank, ensuring that the batteries are not overcharged or damaged. The battery bank stores the solar-generated electricity for use when the boat’s engines are not running or when the boat is not connected to shore power.

The benefits of using solar power on a boat are numerous. Solar power is a clean and renewable energy source, reducing the environmental impact of boating. It also eliminates the need for fossil fuels, which can be costly and can also be difficult to obtain in some areas. In addition, solar power can help to prolong the life of a boat’s batteries, as they are not being constantly drained and recharged.

When planning a solar power system project for a boat, it is important to consider the amount of electricity that will be required, as well as the available space for the installation of solar panels. It is also important to consider the climate of the area where the boat will be used, as this will affect the amount of sunlight available for the panels.

To start planning a solar panel and battery system for your boat, you should first assess your energy needs by considering the appliances and devices you will be running on your boat.

Next, determine the size of the solar panel and battery bank you will need to meet your energy needs. Once you have a rough idea of the size of the system, you can start to research different panel and battery options to find the best fit for your boat. It’s also recommended to seek the help of professional solar installers to ensure proper installation and safety.

Solar Panels: Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic panels, are the primary component of a solar power system for a boat. They convert the energy from the sun into electricity, which can then be used to power the boat’s electrical systems. The size and number of solar panels needed will depend on the boat’s energy requirements and the amount of sunlight available.

Charge Controller: A charge controller is an electronic device that regulates the amount of power flowing from the solar panels to the battery bank. It ensures that the batteries are not overcharged or damaged, and also prevents the batteries from discharging back into the solar panels at night. The charge controller is an important component as it helps to prolong the life of the battery bank.

Battery Bank: A battery bank is a group of batteries that are connected together to store the solar-generated electricity for use when the boat’s engines are not running or when the boat is not connected to shore power. The size of the battery bank will depend on the amount of electricity needed, and the length of time that the boat will be without access to sunlight.

Inverter: An inverter is an electronic device that converts the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is the type of electricity used by most boats. Inverters are essential for powering many of the boat’s appliances and systems.

Mounting Hardware: The solar panels, charge controller, battery bank and inverter need to be mounted on the boat in a location that will receive the most sunlight. Some boats have flat surfaces that can accommodate the solar panels. This can be done by using mounting hardware such as brackets, clamps and standoffs.

Wiring and Cabling: Wiring and cabling is used to connect all the components of the solar power system together. The wiring and cabling need to be of the appropriate size and type to handle the amount of electricity being produced and used by the system. It’s important to use marine-grade wiring and cabling to ensure that the electrical connections are protected from the harsh marine environment.

Other Components: We have listed the main parts. However, there are plenty of other components you may want. Those include a 240v/110v charging system also known as shore power. You may want to plan for a small wind generator as well.

By understanding the components of a solar power system for a boat, you can better plan for and install a system that will meet your energy needs and provide a reliable and sustainable source of electricity for your boat.

In conclusion, solar power is a great option for boaters looking to reduce their environmental impact and costs associated with traditional fossil fuel-powered systems. With proper planning and installation, a solar power system can provide a reliable and sustainable source of electricity for your boat.

Bill Tai talks with SJP on Kitesurfing, Conservation, and Bringing it all Together With Business. Season 1 Episode 3

For Episode 3 of the podcast we had the absolute honour to sit down with Dr Bill Tai.

If you don’t know Bill but you have been using Zoom Video Conferencing during isolation in these past COVID-19 impacted years then you should. Bill was one of the initial investors in Zoom. So in short Bill basically made this podcast happen. We had planned to record all the episodes in person but instead when the boarders were locked down and travel was restricted we went to Zoom.

Many know him as a close friend of Richard Branson, a charitable man, an expert in blockchain, but beyond that Bill is one of the keenest Kite surfers Josh had the pleasure to meet.

What the Salty Journals Crew admire about Bill is that he coordinates his entire life around what he loves (kitesurfing and ocean sports). Every overseas trip he does, every event he runs, any potential investing opportunities, are all brought together by his many adventurous kitesurfing trips. What Bill has done is shown how our culture has risen up and moved beyond having work and play be two separate things.

In the old days, we used to hide our play. Now, we can bring our work and play together to live a life more fulfilled.

This episode is sponsored by

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