An Evening Dockside Chat In Cherbourg

This evening I’m taking a quiet wander along the docks in Cherbourg, getting a feel for the marina and the boats gathered here. It’s a fascinating mix — very different answers to the same core problem: how to go to sea, and how to live out there safely, comfortably, and well. Along the dock we look at a Hallberg-Rassy 49, a custom French offshore boat, and an aluminium high-latitude expedition yacht. Each reflects a distinct design philosophy, and it’s always revealing to see how those ideas translate into real boats, in the real world. I also talk about meeting the team from Garcia Yachts aboard Osprey. Their curiosity and enthusiasm was a genuine pleasure, and on Monday I’ll be visiting the yard to look more closely at their work — including the Garcia 60 they’ve kindly invited me to explore. I’ll report back as soon as I can. For now, this video is simply about settling in, observing, and enjoying the quiet pleasure of walking docks and talking boats — because there are few things better than messing about with boats. Support the Mariner If you’d like to support the production of this work, you can find me on Patreon. For $5/month you’ll get access to extra content including narrated versions of videos (with a focus on seamanship and safety), livestream Q&A sessions, consultancy, merch, and access to sponsored sailing opportunities. 👉 https://patreon.com/themariner Sail with the Mariner — Sponsorship for 2027 Global Solo Challenge Race Voyages & Racing There are still sponsor berths available aboard the 80-foot maxi Osprey: • Antigua → Bermuda delivery, early April 2026 • Newport–Bermuda Race, June 2026 • Return Bermuda → New England passage If you’re interested, get in touch here: 👉 https://csmthemariner.com 9 sponsor berths remaining for NBR 2026 The Mariner Podcast The Mariner Podcast is an audio-first space focused on seamanship, safety, and the practical knowledge that comes from time at sea. It blends offshore experience, lessons learned the hard way, interviews, anecdotes, and the inevitable tangents that come with life aboard boats. It’s for sailors of any experience level — from beginners to seasoned offshore hands — and it exists to share knowledge openly in a world where that knowledge is often fragmented or lost. 🎧 https://themariner.podbean.com/ The Mariner’s Library Podcast The Mariner’s Library is a serialized audio project where I read classic sailing books from the last century and beyond — written by sailors who learned their lessons at sea and took the time to write them down. These works explore seamanship, endurance, navigation, risk, and the mental and physical realities of ocean life — often set in places and eras that feel almost unreal today. No modern commentary layered on top — just the original words, read respectfully and released in serialized form. 🎧 https://themarinerslibrary.podbean.com/ #sailing #adventure #ocean #boating