Episode #103: Bruce Schwab on Singlehanding Around the World

This week’s host, Moe Roddy, is joined by Bruce Schwab to chat a lifetime of circumnavigations. In 2005, Bruce became the first American in history to officially finish the Vendée Globe race.

Hear his memorable cruising trips as a teen with his father and brothers, how to get started racing, how to achieve your circumnavigation dreams, his biggest sailing projects today, and his hobbies of playing guitar and biking. This episode covers everything from sailing the globe to cruising with your family.

Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• Where did Bruce grow up?
• Is he the oldest of his brothers?
• What are Bruce’s favorite memories from the trip?
• When did he start playing guitar?
• What boat did he first take to Hawaii?
• When did he first get interested in racing around the world?
• How do you prepare for the Vendée Globe?
• Short Tacks: What’s Bruce’s advice for singlehanding?

Learn more about Bruce at ProjectImprobable.com, OceanPlanetEnergy.com, and OceanPlanet.org.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• Bruce Schwab on Singlehanding Around the World
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:27] Moe Roddy
  • [0:45] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [1:07] Learn more about Bruce at ProjectImprobable.com, OceanPlanetEnergy.com, and OceanPlanet.org
  • [2:40] Where did he grow up?
  • [3:10] Boeing
  • [3:50] Was Bruce’s dad a sailor?
  • [4:41] Did Bruce grow up with a sailing program?
  • [7:07] Where did he sail with his father and brothers?
  • [9:32] Where did they go after the boat stopped leaking?
  • [11:35] Is Bruce the oldest of his brothers?
  • [12:18] What did his brothers think of the cruising trip?
  • [12:48] What are Bruce’s favorite memories from the trip?
  • [15:04] When did he start playing guitar?
  • [16:17] Come to our Fall Crew List Party on Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 6pm PT at Spaulding Marine Center in Sausalito. Sign up for the Latitude 38 Crew List and get on the water with some new friends
  • Vendée Globe
  • [17:29] What brought Bruce to San Francisco?
  • [19:46] Svendsen’s Marine
  • [22:06] Three Bridge Fiasco
  • [23:33] What boat did Bruce first take to Hawaii?
  • [27:35] When did he race in the Singlehanded Transpac (SHTP)?
  • [30:41] When did he first get interested in racing around the world?
  • [36:04] How do you prepare for the Vendée Globe?
  • [37:12] Portland, ME
  • [39:18] Episode #48: “Ronnie Simpson on Fulfillment and the Pacific Cup”
  • [40:24] Was Bruce the first American to finish the Vendée Globe?
  • [42:17] Tour de France
  • [42:42] What stands out about the Vendée Globe?
  • [51:12] Check out the Latitude 38 Classy Classifieds at Latitude38.com/Adverts
  • [52:20] What are Ocean Planet Energy and Project Improbable?
  • [53:07] MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
  • Short Tacks
  • [58:42] The Boat Who Wouldn’t Float by Farley Mowat, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins, Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins
  • [59:33] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • [59:42]  Who does Bruce wish he could have coffee with?
  • [1:01:08] What are the most important lessons he’s learned?
  • [1:01:35] Who’s inspired him the most in life?
  • [1:02:04] What’s his advice for singlehanding?
  • [1:02:18] What does he wish Moe asked?
  • [1:03:12] What final thoughts does he have?
  • [1:03:28] Learn more about Bruce at ProjectImprobable.com, OceanPlanetEnergy.com, and OceanPlanet.org
  • [1:05:41] Episode #100: “Episode 100 Special”
  • [1:05:55] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [1:05:59] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [1:06:03] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [1:06:10] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [1:06:14] Check out the August 2023 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

Thanks for listening to Bruce Schwab & Moe Roddy on Good Jibes with Latitude 38. Subscribe here to receive Latitude 38 to your home each month.