Episode #82: Andy Schwenk on Surviving a Scare

**Trigger warning: this episode contains details of Andy’s infection. This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Andy Schwenk to chat lessons from 54.5 trips between the Bay Area and Hawaii. Andy is a long-time Express 37 sailor, Bay Area marine surveyor, and Richmond Yacht Club Port Captain who has truly seen it all.

Hear tales from his Pacific Cup races, his life-threatening infection, how a petroleum tanker and paratroopers may have saved his life, lessons learned from the injury, and who the best people to sail with are. This episode covers everything from the Pac Cup to the Coast Guard.

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

• How did Andy first get into sailing?
• What boats has he had?
• Why does he keep going back and forth to Hawaii?
• How do you come in first in a race?
• What happened to Andy last summer?
• How long was he in the hospital?
• What does he wish more boat owners would do?
• Short Tacks: How many miles has he sailed?

Learn more at www.richmondyc.org and www.norcalmarinesurveyors.com.

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.

This episode is brought to you by Svendsen’s Spring Fling. Don’t miss Svendsen’s Spring Fling Boat Show on April 15 & 16. For more information, visit SpringFlingBoatShow.com. We hope to see you there!

Show Notes

• Andy Schwenk on Surviving a Scare
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:26] John Arndt
  • [0:45] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [0:52] Learn more at https://www.richmondyc.org/
  • [2:10] What’s a story that shaped Andy as a sailor?
  • [2:38] Farallones
  • [3:28] How did Andy first get into sailing?
  • [5:18] COVID-19
  • [5:42] What boats has Andy had?
  • [6:39] Episode #75: “Bill Erkelens on Perfecting The Ocean Race”
  • [7:47] Pac Cup (Pacific Cup)
  • [9:25] Why does Andy keep going back and forth to Hawaii?
  • [11:34] How old was he when he first crossed the Pacific?
  • [13:17] How many of his trips are races vs. deliveries?
  • [14:53] TransPac (TransPacific Yacht Race)
  • [15:18] How do you come in first in a race?
  • [17:14] This episode of Good Jibes is brought to you by Svendsen’s Spring Fling. Come down to Svendsen’s on April 15 & 16 for the annual Spring Fling Boat Show. This event is free and open to the public. Meet top sailing brand representatives and receive the best deals of the year on your boating and sailing gear. There will be raffle giveaways all weekend long, open boats to tour at Marina Village, seminars, food trucks, and more. For more information about Spring Fling and to pick up your free tickets, visit SpringFlingBoatShow.com
  • Andy’s Injury
  • [17:56] What happened to Andy last summer?
  • [21:58] Coast Guard
  • [22:05] How far from Hawaii was Andy when it happened?
  • [29:04] The Perfect Storm
  • [31:38] Stanford Medical Center
  • [34:39] How long was Andy in the hospital?
  • [36:45] Richmond Yacht Club
  • [38:48] What does Andy think of Safety at Sea?
  • [42:05] What does he wish more boat owners would do?
  • [46:13] AAA (American Automobile Association)
  • [46:25] How have boats changed over the years?
  • [49:19] Latitude 38 Crew List
  • [50:45] What’s the best part of sailing in San Francisco?
  • [56:55] Come down to Svendsen’s Spring Fling and meet the crew from Latitude 38. On Saturday, April 15, we will be hosting a crew party at our booth from 4-6pm. Meet other sailors and get out and do more sailing. We will be pouring beer donated by our friends at Almanac Brewing and celebrating all things sailing. We hope to see you there!
  • Short Tacks
  • [57:27] What’s Andy’s favorite sailboat make or model?
  • [59:48] What was his longest voyage?
  • [1:00:47] What would he tell a non-sailor to get them to sail?
  • [1:03:09] Jimmy Buffett
  • [1:03:40] “David Crosby – Harmony at Sea”
  • [1:04:09] What’s Andy’s top safety item other than a life jacket?
  • [1:07:04] The Cruise of the Snark by Jack London, Shackleton’s Forgotten Men by Lennard Bickel
  • [1:08:38] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • [1:09:09] What final thoughts does Andy have?
  • [1:10:19] Learn more at https://www.richmondyc.org/
  • [1:11:15] How many miles has Andy sailed?
  • [1:12:07] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [1:12:11] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [1:12:18] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [1:12:21] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [1:12:29] Check out the March 2023 issue of Latitude 38
  • [1:12:40] Don’t miss Svendsen’s Spring Fling Boat Show on April 15 & 16. For more information, visit SpringFlingBoatShow.com. We hope to see you there!
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

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

This episode is brought to you by Svendsen’s Spring Fling. Don’t miss Svendsen’s Spring Fling Boat Show on April 15 & 16. For more information, visit SpringFlingBoatShow.com. We hope to see you there!