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A 24-foot cruising boat with no engine sounds like a constraint until you hear what it unlocks. We sit down with Lynn, a sailor and author whose life at sea is built on small-boat cruising, practical offshore seamanship, and the kind of calm confidence that only comes from doing the work. From the first miles “westward” to the storms that proved their tactics, she explains why simplicity can be the fastest route to real freedom on the water.

We talk about the turning points that shaped everything: leaving conventional goals unspoken so the journey can evolve, building Seraph with mentor Lyle Hess, and discovering that an engine-free boat demands sharper planning, better boat handling, and stronger teamwork. You’ll hear vivid stories from the Panama Canal, the Atlantic, and beyond, plus clear lessons on heaving to, storm tactics, and why modern weather tools can create analysis paralysis if you forget to prepare the boat and the crew. If you’re searching for bluewater sailing advice, storm preparation checklists, or navigation wisdom that holds up without hype, this conversation delivers.

The episode also looks at what has changed in the cruising world: dock culture, marinas, self-steering windvanes, sponsorship pressure, and why honest gear opinions matter. Lynn shares her enduring compass points, including the motto “Go Small, Go Simple, Go Now,” and the deeper idea that comfort and security do not automatically create adventure. We close with something even bigger than sailing: aging, caregiving, rebuilding community after loss, and what it means to keep moving forward with grace.

If you enjoyed this, subscribe for more long-form sailing stories and real-world cruising lessons, share it with a friend who’s dreaming of casting off, and leave a review so more sailors can find the show.

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SALTY ABANDON: Cap'n Tinsley, Orange Beach, AL:
Oct 2020 to Present - 1998 Island Packet 320;
Nov 2015-Oct 2020; 1988 Island Packet 27
Feb-Oct 2015 - 1982 Catalina 25

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