Episode #75: Bill Erkelens on Perfecting The Ocean Race

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Bill Erkelens to chat The Ocean Race 2022-2023 and sustainability in sailing. Bill is the Chief Operating Officer for the 11th Hour Racing Team and recorded this from Latitude 38 – Lisbon, that is! He took 2nd place in the 2022 Pacific Cup with his wife Melinda aboard their Moore 24, “Foamy.”

Hear how to pick the perfect boat for your next race, build the perfect team, the latest technology in racing boats, how to build boats more sustainably, and get any sleep during The Ocean Race.

This episode covers everything from racing to sustainability. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• How did Bill get started offshore racing?
• What’s the secret for married couples doing double-handed races together?
• How much is Bill involved in the race right now?
• What is the role of the Chief Operating Officer during a race?
• Do the boats use AI?
• What is 11th Hour Racing?
• Where do the sustainability gains come from in boat-building?
• Short Tacks: How would Bill inspire non-sailors to sail

Learn more about Bill at TheOceanRace.com, 11thHourRacing.org, and 1Degree.US. And listen to our podcast with Melinda Erkelens here. 

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

• Bill Erkelens on Perfecting The Ocean Race
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:27] John Arndt
  • [0:46] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [0:56] Learn more about Bill at TheOceanRace.com, 11thHourRacing.org, and 1Degree.US
  • [2:54] What boat is next for him?
  • [4:01] Pacific Cup (Pac Cup)
  • [4:18] What’s a story that shaped Bill as a sailor?
  • [4:48] America’s Cup
  • [9:22] How did Bill get started offshore racing?
  • [11:44] What’s the secret for married couples doing double-handed races together?
  • [12:32] Do they do other races together?
  • [16:54] What is the role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) during a race?
  • [18:31] COVID-19
  • [20:26] How much is Bill involved in the race right now?
  • [22:19] What technology (tech) has advanced in recent years?
  • [24:03] How do you sleep during The Ocean Race?
  • [25:52] How is the driving done?
  • [26:56] ChatGPT
  • [27:00] Do the boats use AI (Artificial Intelligence)?
  • [27:28] OSCAR
  • [29:25] Did you know every month you can get your copy of Latitude 38 delivered directly to your mailbox? Subscribe at Latitude38.com/Subscriptions
  • 11th Hour Racing & Sustainability
  • [30:26] What is 11th Hour Racing?
  • [32:04] What is an LCA study (Lice Cycle Assessment)?
  • [33:34] Where do the sustainability gains come from in boat-building?
  • [36:42] Why have sailors become more sustainability conscious in recent years?
  • [38:02] How are they doing from a sustainability standpoint?
  • [39:24] How’s The Ocean Race going?
  • [41:37] Sign up for the Latitude 38 Crew List and get on the water with some new friends
  • Short Tacks
  • [42:09] What is Bill’s favorite boat make or model?
  • [42:09] What is his dream boat?
  • [42:56] What’s his racer-cruiser ratio?
  • [43:20] What’s the longest voyage he’s been on?
  • [44:08] Does he prefer West Coast or East Coast sailing?
  • [44:38] How would he inspire non-sailors to sail?
  • [46:22] What’s the most important safety device besides a life jacket?
  • [46:55] What’s Bill’s biggest fear on the water?
  • [47:15] The Boat Who Wouldn’t Float by Farley Mowat
  • [47:38] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • [48:07] Three Bridge Fiasco, Delta Ditch Run
  • [49:25] Latitude 38 Classifieds
  • [49:31] Learn more about Bill at TheOceanRace.com, 11thHourRacing.org, and 1Degree.US
  • [50:30] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [50:38] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [50:44] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [50:47] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [50:52] Check out the January 2023 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

Thanks for listening to Bill Erkelens & John Arndt on Good Jibes with Latitude 38. Subscribe here to receive Latitude 38 to your home each month.