The Boat Geeks #17 - Betsy Davis (Executive Director, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding)

Recorded 06.26.24

Betsy has been at the helm of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding for many years, and has helped chart tremendous growth and expansion including the new Marine Systems Program. She also happens to own the classic MV Glory Be, a 110-year old piece of Pacific NW history.

Recorded aboard their floating studio in Port Townsend, WA, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Daeron and Darren take a deep dive into the world of boating.

This episode: Daeron and Darren are amazed at the life (or, as Betsy puts it, the "nine lives") of 'Glory Be', a 1914 bridgedeck cruiser built by the grandfather of the Grandy Boat Co. in Seattle, WA. After an eventful first few years, 'Glory Be' settled in as a typical family cruising boat. That is until 2002 when she burned and sank in a marina fire! Hear Betsy describe the incredible scenes in the aftermath, as well as the three-year restoration process.

Betsy is the Executive Director of the famed Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Hadlock, WA. Founded in 1981, the School has taught wooden boatbuilding and marine systems skills to more than 1,600 students from around the world. They offer a full-time 12-month Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree in Wooden Boatbuilding; a 9-month diploma program in Marine Systems; and 5-day Intensives in Marine Electrical, Corrosion, Diesel Engines, Plumbing, and Outboard Engines.

For more information on the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding: https://nwswb.edu/

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkXxrnlmi9LrlrKa5bvGmFg

John Sabella (Producer of "Throwbacks to a Golden Age of Northwest Boats"): https://www.youtube.com/@UCyddKlRAFc4ZNE-NA0mX-_g

The Boat Geeks are brought to you by the Boater's Guide, a free mobile app for PNW boaters. Available on iOS and Android devices, The Boater's Guide is information and adventure right at your fingertips, right when you need it. Download for free in the App Store or Google Play: https://www.pnwboatersguide.com/boaters-guide

Look for new episodes of The Boat Geeks on the 1st and 15th every month. Be sure to like and subscribe, and tell your boating friends! For more information on The Boat Geeks, visit https://www.theboatgeeks.com/

The Boat Geeks #16 - Rick Henson (ValvTect/MRT Products)

Recorded 05.29.24

As Regional Sales Manager for ValvTect Marine Fuels, Rick knows a lot about the gas and diesel we put in our boats.

Recorded aboard their floating studio in Port Townsend, WA, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Daeron and Darren take a deep dive into the world of boating.

This episode: The two Ds, who have always used ValvTect fuels in their vessels and outboards, learn exactly what makes ValvTect a superior product for boats. Throw in our Pacific NW climate, and good fuel becomes even more important. That holds true whether you use your boat frequently or it sits at the dock for extended periods.

For more information on ValvTect Marine Fuels: https://www.valvtect.com/markets/marine-fuel-products/

Locate a ValvTect Fuel Dock: https://www.valvtect.com/certified-valvtect-marinas/

The Boat Geeks are brought to you by the Boater's Guide, a free mobile app for PNW boaters. Available on iOS and Android devices, The Boater's Guide is information and adventure right at your fingertips, right when you need it. Download for free in the App Store or Google Play: https://www.pnwboatersguide.com/boaters-guide

Look for new episodes of The Boat Geeks on the 1st and 15th every month. Be sure to like and subscribe, and tell your boating friends! For more information on The Boat Geeks, visit https://www.theboatgeeks.com/

The Boat Geeks #15 - Kevin Ritz (ABYC Master Technician)

Recorded 05.23.24

Kevin, an ABYC Master Technician and Marine Systems Program Director at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, turned his own family tragedy into a mission to prevent other tragedies and save lives. After losing his son to Electric Shock Drowning in 1999, he became a world renowned expert in marine electrical systems and founded the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association.

Recorded aboard their floating studio in Port Townsend, WA, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, the two Ds take a deep dive into the world of boating.

A personal message from Daeron and Darren regarding this episode: This is our 15th full podcast and 100th video, and we don't think we'll ever do another one this important. When we started The Boat Geeks, education was the driving force. Both in terms of educating other boaters and ourselves. In this show, we discuss with Kevin what happened to his son Lucas and the causes of Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) starting at the 29:30 mark of the video. Leading up to that, we get to know Kevin and his background, as well as his boat and current position as Marine Systems Program Director at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Hadlock, WA.

Electric Shock Drowning claims new victims every year, most recently claiming an 18-year-old in Virginia on July 4th ( https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/07/08/jesse-hamric-electrocuted-smith-mountain-lake-virginia/74329714007/ ). What makes it even more heartbreaking is it's an otherwise avoidable tragedy. It is our sincere hope that this video helps spread awareness about ESD, and that it might help save lives.

For more information on the Electric Shock Drowning: https://www.electricshockdrowning.org/

Electric Shock Drowning Educational Resources: https://www.electricshockdrowning.org/esd-resources.html

U.S. Coast Guard Study mentioned by Kevin: https://www.electricshockdrowning.org/uploads/4/8/5/6/48564375/uscg_grant_2008.226165406.pdf

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding: https://nwswb.edu/

The Boat Geeks are brought to you by the Boater's Guide, a free mobile app for PNW boaters. Available on iOS and Android devices, The Boater's Guide is information and adventure right at your fingertips, right when you need it. Download for free in the App Store or Google Play: https://www.pnwboatersguide.com/boaters-guide

Look for new episodes of The Boat Geeks on the 1st and 15th every month. Be sure to like and subscribe, and tell your boating friends! For more information on The Boat Geeks, visit https://www.theboatgeeks.com/

The Boat Geeks #14 - Harley Matlock (United States Coast Guard)

Recorded 04.23.24

Master Chief Harley Matlock, Officer in Charge of the USCG Cutter Osprey home ported in Port Townsend, has been in the Coast Guard for 28 years!

Recorded aboard their floating studio in Port Townsend, WA, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, your hosts Darren and Daeron take a deep dive into the world of boating.

This episode: As an 18-year old fresh out of high school, Harley joined the United States Coast Guard and immediately fell in love with the job. Having grown up around his Dad's ship yard, and having his own boats since age 8, it's no wonder the Coastie lifestyle suited him. He started out on an old 82' Point Class Cutter based out of Pensacola, FL and had some memorable missions. Now on his third tour of duty in the Pacific NW, Harley commands the 87' USCGC Osprey operating in Sector 13.

The views expressed in this episode belong to Master Chief Harley Matlock and should not be construed as the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

For more information on the United States Coast Guard: https://www.uscg.mil/

The Boat Geeks are brought to you by the Boater's Guide, a free mobile app for PNW boaters. Available on iOS and Android devices, The Boater's Guide is information and adventure right at your fingertips, right when you need it. Download for free in the App Store or Google Play: https://www.pnwboatersguide.com/boaters-guide

Look for new episodes of The Boat Geeks on the 1st and 15th every month. Be sure to like and subscribe, and tell your boating friends! For more information on The Boat Geeks, visit https://www.theboatgeeks.com/

The Boat Geeks #13 - Mark Bunzel (Publisher, Editor)

Recorded 04.12.24

Mark Bunzel has been traveling from Olympia to Alaska every Summer for the last 13 years updating the Waggoner Cruising Guide. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Waggoner.

Recorded aboard their floating studio in Port Townsend, WA, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, your hosts Darren and Daeron take a deep dive into the world of boating.

This episode: In 2011, Mark purchased Fine Edge Publishing from founder Robert Hale. Published annually by Fine Edge, the Waggoner (often referred to as the "NW Cruising Bible") is the go-to guide for most Pacific NW boaters. Aboard his trusty Tollycraft 30, Sea Raven, Mark puts a couple thousand miles under his keel every year visiting as many marinas and anchorages as possible along the way. Associate editors Leonard and Lorena Landon also travel the northwest extensively, adding even more detailed information to the guide.

Want to win the 30th Annual Edition of the Waggoner Guide used in the show? Stay tuned at the end of the podcast to learn how to enter.

Waggoner Cruising Guide: https://www.waggonerguidebooks.com

(You'll also find Ports and Passes, the Current Atlas, the Exploring Series, Dreamspeaker Series, and more at https://www.waggonerguidebooks.com)

Look for new episodes of The Boat Geeks on the 1st and 15th every month. Be sure to like and subscribe, and tell your boating friends! For more information on The Boat Geeks, visit https://www.theboatgeeks.com/

The Boat Geeks #12 - Peter Knowles (Travels With Geordie)

Recorded 04.05.24

Peter Knowles of the popular YouTube channel "Travels with Geordie" joins The Boat Geeks to discuss his obsession with classic wood boats of the Ed Monk variety, and the past, present, and future of his traveling adventures.

Recorded aboard their floating studio in Port Townsend, WA, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, your hosts Darren and Daeron take a deep dive into the world of boating.

Brought to you by the Boater's Guide, a free mobile app for PNW boaters. Available on iOS and Android devices, The Boater's Guide is information and adventure right at your fingertips, right when you need it. Download for free in the App Store or Google Play: https://www.pnwboatersguide.com/boaters-guide

Travels With Geordie: https://www.youtube.com/c/TravelsWithGeordie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravelsWithGeordie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travels_with_geordie

Look for new episodes of The Boat Geeks on the 1st and 15th every month. Be sure to like and subscribe, and tell your boating friends! For more information on The Boat Geeks, visit https://www.theboatgeeks.com/

The Boat Geeks #11 - George Harris (President/CEO, NMTA)

Recorded 03.08.24

The Northwest Marine Trade Association produces the Seattle Boat Show, the largest boat show on the west coast. But they do so much more the rest of the year ensuring our region has the healthiest recreational marine economy possible.

Recorded aboard their floating studio in Port Townsend, WA, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, your hosts Darren and Daeron take a deep dive into the world of boating.

This episode: George Harris leads an organization best known for producing the Seattle Boat Show. Founded in 1947, the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) is the voice of the boating industry in the Pacific NW. Important work includes the NMTA Government Affairs Program, which advocates on behalf of the recreational boating and sport fishing industry. The NMTA Grow Boating Program strives to get more people into boating. Beyond the Seattle Boat Show, the NMTA also produces the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show, the Annual Marina & Boatyard Conference, offers member businesses affordable, comprehensive health care, and so much more.

Brought to you by the Boater's Guide, a free mobile app for PNW boaters. Available on iOS and Android devices, The Boater's Guide is information and adventure right at your fingertips, right when you need it. Download for free in the App Store or Google Play: https://www.pnwboatersguide.com/boaters-guide

Northwest Marine Trade Association: https://nmta.net/

NMTA explainer video: https://youtu.be/D78kSMYffCg?si=SYy1raVvfB6iicfk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowBoating/

Look for new episodes of The Boat Geeks on the 1st and 15th every month. Be sure to like and subscribe, and tell your boating friends! For more information on The Boat Geeks, visit https://www.theboatgeeks.com/

The Boat Geeks #10 - Nico Jensen and Aaron Wenholz (Longship Marine)

Recorded 3.7.24

Nico and Aaron are one of the busiest couples you will ever meet. In addition to running Longship Marine - one of the last remaining Marine Supply/Consignment stores in Washington - they also restore old wooden boats and are remodeling the original Sons of Norway Hall in downtown Poulsbo.

Recorded aboard their floating studio in Port Townsend, WA, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, your hosts Darren and Daeron take a deep dive into the world of boating.

This episode: Nico and Aaron discuss their passion for old wooden boats, and what motivates them to restore so many over the years. At one time they were bringing back to life four large wooden boats - all while operating one of the most popular marine supply stores in Puget Sound. Longship Marine sells new, used, and consignment boat parts and supplies, with some boaters making a pilgrimage to the store from other states! The liveaboards are also in the midst of construction, turning the old 1818 Grieg Hall into an events center and marine classroom.

Brought to you by the Boater's Guide, a free mobile app for PNW boaters. Available on iOS and Android devices, The Boater's Guide is information and adventure right at your fingertips, right when you need it. Download for free in the App Store or Google Play: https://www.pnwboatersguide.com/boaters-guide

Longship Marine: https://www.longshipmarine.com/

Longship Marine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longshipstore

Longship Marine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longshipmarine/

Look for new episodes of The Boat Geeks on the 1st and 15th every month. Be sure to like and subscribe, and tell your boating friends! For more information on The Boat Geeks, visit https://www.theboatgeeks.com/