Episode #127: Stephen Wolf on an Unplanned Circumnavigation

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Stephen Wolf to chat about his 10-year, 40,000-mile circumnavigation on the 24-ft trimaran No Name, back in the 70s. The adventure started in Gashouse Cove and hit every part of the world — without being a planned circumnavigation.

Hear how cruising teaches you to be patient, how one can learn to navigate, the times Stephen and his wife Margo were the most afraid, how to re-enter the “real world” after a long voyage, and the beauty of being totally self-sufficient on the water. This episode covers everything from trimarans to the doldrums.

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

• What kind of sailing did Stephen do before No Name?
• How did he find No Name?
• Did Margo have any sailing experience?
• How much food should you bring on a long voyage?
• What storms did Stephen run into?
• How did he stay in touch with his family?
• Has he done any sailing since?
• Short Tacks: How did he cook on the water?

Read more about Stephen’s incredible adventure in the April 2023 issue of Latitude 38 and you can listen to our second episode with him here. 

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

ALERT: Can you help find No Name? Stephen Wolf would be very interested in finding his former trimaran No Name! He last heard it was in San Diego a couple of decades ago. If you happen to know of a 24′ plywood Piver trimaran that may be or have been No Name you could contact Stephen here. 

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

Show Notes

• Stephen Wolf on an Unplanned Circumnavigation
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:26] John Arndt
  • [0:38] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [1:02] Read more about the incredible adventure at https://www.latitude38.com/issues/april-2023/#76
  • [1:54] What’s a story that shaped Stephen as a sailor?
  • [2:22] The Doldrums
  • [3:11] Rose Island aka Rose Atoll
  • [4:04] What kind of sailing did Stephen do before No Name?
  • [6:12] How did he find No Name?
  • [6:42] Cox Marine
  • [7:42] How did Stephen get to Mexico?
  • [9:02] How did he learn to navigate?
  • [9:52] Sextant
  • [10:14] Morro Bay
  • [10:34] How did Stephen like  ?
  • [12:49] How did he meet Margo?
  • [13:34] Did she have any sailing experience?
  • [14:03] Transpac (Transpacific Yacht Race), Pacific Cup (Pac Cup)
  • [14:51] How did No Name fare in the Pacific?
  • [17:04] How much food should you bring on a long voyage?
  • [18:02] Gashouse Cove
  • [18:20] Did Stephen live on a houseboat?
  • [18:39] You can find your closest Latitude 38 distributor at Latitude38.com/Distribution. Did you know every month you can get your copy of Latitude 38 delivered directly to your mailbox? Subscribe at Latitude38.com/Subscriptions
  • [19:41] What storms did Stephen run into?
  • [21:10] What did he do for 6 months in Djibouti?
  • Circumnavigation Community
  • [22:15] How was the cruising community around the world?
  • [24:21] How did Stephen approach things as a vegetarian?
  • [26:21] What did he do for work?
  • [26:50] Social Security
  • [27:19] How did Stephen stay in touch with his family?
  • [27:35] Starlink, Netflix
  • [28:23] Did Stephen have any electronics aboard?
  • [30:01] What were the scariest moments on the water?
  • [33:38] How did they protect themselves from the elements? 
  • [35:18] Trans-Pacific Trimaran by Arthur Piver, American Practical Navigator by Nathaniel Bowditch, Cruising Under Sail by Eric Hiscock
  • [36:27] How long was Stephen’s circumnavigation?
  • [37:02] How do you re-enter back into the “real world?”
  • [37:24] Zoom
  • [40:28] YouTube
  • [42:14] How much does John go cruising?
  • [42:48] Tahiti
  • [43:14] Bali, Java, Indonesia, Lombok
  • [43:52] New Guinea
  • [44:48] Has Stephen done any sailing since?
  • [46:04] How many kids does he have?
  • [46:21] If you find No Name, email [email protected]
  • [47:14] Check out the Latitude 38 Classy Classifieds at Latitude38.com/Adverts
  • Short Tacks
  • [48:09] What is Stephen’s dream boat?
  • [50:08] How did he cook on the water?
  • [51:54] Where would he still like to sail?
  • [52:54] What advice does he have for other sailors?
  • [55:09] What’s his most important piece of safety equipment in addition to a life jacket?
  • [56:24] The Bounty Trilogy by Charles Nordhoff & James Norman Hall, Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
  • [57:35] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • [58:47] Read more about the incredible adventure at https://www.latitude38.com/issues/april-2023/#76
  • [59:54] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [59:59] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [1:00:07] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [1:00:24] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [1:00:45] Check out the January 2024 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS