video: interview with Ben Stookey, liveaboard singlehanded cruiser, programmer

[drakeParagon]

Hi everyone, I recently met this really cool singlehanded liveaboard cruiser guy named Ben while he had his Nonsuch 26 sailboat on the free dock in Oriental, North Carolina. He had an amazing story to tell of his life and about sailing and cruising in general. So I interviewed him for your enjoyment!

Ben Stookey was introduced to sailing at a very young age by his parents. His father sailed a 21 foot sailboat from England to Antigua in the Mini Transat Race in 1977. When Ben was 14, his parents bought a boat in Finland they spent years cruising all over Europe. Ben's first year of high school was in Spain. Today, Ben lives aboard a Nonsuch 26 named 'Swallow.' He is currently cruising the US East coast, and earning a living from computer programming remotely aboard his boat using a wifi connection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6tJYMWWc3Q&feature=plcp

What do you think?

Ben and I are hoping to rendezvous our boats in Nova Scotia next Spring/Summer. From there I plan to I sail my Westsail 42 'Paragon' on to Iceland, and then hike across it on foot with Eanna Ryan, but that will be another story...

[drakeParagon]

Here's part 2 of my interview with cruiser Ben Stookey...

Ben talks about when he decided to find a sailboat for cruising, about the pros and cons of the wishbone rig on his Nonsuch 26, solar power, his favorite, most important cruising gear, food aboard and ashore. He also offers his words of advice for those thinking about following in his footsteps.

video: Interview with cruiser Ben Stookey, Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFweKQrtr5E&feature=plcp

[drakeParagon]

In Part 3, Ben talks about where's he's sailed, some of the most difficult sailing situations he's experienced, encountering dangerous conditions in the Gulf Stream, heaving to, and his future plans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk-VPDust8s