YARNS : Holly Martin of

Episode 002 : Season 1 : YARNS; Conversations with Cruisers, A Sailing Podcast
James Frederick sits down with sailors he meets around the world to record their seas stories in remote anchorages and far-flung ports. All the interviews are recorded as a video podcast that is released on the Sailing Triteia KZbin Channel. They are also being made available as an audio podcast for those who prefer this format of content.
On this episode James interview’s Holly Martin of the KZbin Channel Wind Hippie Sailing. Holly was born on her parent’s circumnavigation on their Cal 25 and spent her childhood cruising in the Arctic. She went on to be the crane operator on a research vessel in Antarctica before buying her Grinde 27, SV Gecko and heading off on her own circumnavigation from Maine. Head over to Holly’s KZbin Channel to follow along with her adventures!
Holly Martin / SV Gecko Links:
KZbin: / windhippiesailing
Instagram: / boatlizard
Dave and Jaja Martin Links:
www.thesailing...
www.amazon.com...
------------------------------
About the Host:
James Frederick aka Sailor James is a solo circumnavigator slowly sailing around the world onboard his 1965 Alberg 30 Sloop SV Triteia. James shares his adventures weekly on his KZbin channel which has more than 100k subscribers. Aside from the vlog, James is also a writer for Yachting World, Cruising World, Good Old Boat and more. More information about Triteia and their adventures can be found at the below links.
SV Triteia Links
KZbin: / sailorjames
Instagram: / james.the.sailor.man
------------------------------
The intro and outro song was sung by Sarah Satya with new lyrics to the classic tune written by James Frederick.
Sarah Satya Links:
Music: sarahsatya.ban...
------------------------------
If you enjoy the channel please "Like" the videos and Subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes.
If you find the videos helpful or entertaining and would like to contribute you can become a Patron at: / sailorjames
Other Ways to Support the Channel:
PayPal: paypal.me/@jam...
Cash App: cash.app/$triteia
Bitcoin: cash.app/$triteia
Fair Winds,
James
Website: svtriteia.com
Tracker: forecast.predi...
Instagram: / james.the.sailor.man
#solosailing #windhippie #hollymartin #boatlizard #podcast #sailingpodcast

[@nataliegalligan9050]

Holly is the most brave person I've watched. She is amazing. Thanks for having her on your channel.

[@Brad.whatthe]

My god Holly has had more amazing years and adventure than most of us will fit into our lives and she’s only 31, you rock and deserve the life your living. A grade problem solver and the brains trust at home is a bonus 🥂cheers

[@clintbillton2161]

That hippie girl will become a legend one day! :)

[@SailorJasonTaylor]

LETS GOOOOO I started watching each of you independently in 2021 and its wild to see you both on the same vessel for a chat. Excellent episode and im only 9 minutes in.

[@SailingSVBully]

I’ll never forget her family’s documentary, “Ice Blink.” That doc was one of the first films that really inspired me to want to cruise! It’s fun seeing Holly as a kiddo too. When I first came across her channel I was like, “omg, that’s that kid from Ice Blink all grown up!”

[@haighaj]

Excellent interview, a great conversation and some amazing stories. Can't wait for the next episode

[@WillN2Go1]

Terrific interview. Two of my hero sailors. I got hooked into Wind Hippie Sailing when Holly said in a video, "The back stay cable broke so I just tied a rolling hitch...." What?? eh, another day at the life.... 25:00 James asks if Holly couldn't just lash the helm. A ha. I've only been on fin keel boats, James has a full keel. I guess lashing (or locking) the helm would work for his boat. My early experience in funky charter boats out of Marina del Rey "Don't use the autopilot!" is a locked helm means the boat turns 15-20° with every wave. So going forward to raise the jib meant I'd turn 180° in about a minute. Sleeping. I was just on a passage from Japan to Canada. Catamaran: slamming, slamming, BANG! SLAMMING! I slept through it all (I actually loved it. Who but astronauts gets to sleep weightless? Granted I was only weightless for a second every two minutes or so.) Loud noises? No problem. But the slightest different noise.... One evening during the typical slams, not too loud, there was a slightly less loud bang noise. I asked the owner, "What was that?" Then his wife came up, " I think something broke." We went out and looked around. Seemed okay. Next morning the owner discovered that the outhaul had chaffed through (It was rigged too low: spliced eye in the line, and solid clew ring so they just put it low to the D-ring. Rub rub. Wasn't the only incompetent factory rigging.) I tied a bowline to the clew -- problem solved and no more chaffing). This wasn't the fist time his wife picked out a problem from the background noise. The last two weeks I started hearing voices.... No I wasn't losing my mind. It's like in the old days with wall phones when our brains would over interpret overtones in the shower as the phone ringing. My ears were just tuning up, listening for anything that might be a problem. Yeah, I guess hearing the phone ring in the shower is an hallucination. (I had a fun dream. The boat was bouncing, I was in one of the fore cabins. (tip always arrive early to a sailing gig.) I was dreaming that I was at anchor off the west end of Anacapa Island (there's no anchorage there) , my monohull was jumping all over the place. Then I heard one of my teachers, Captain Dan's voice say, "If you anchor there you'll get hit by waves from two direction." I started to wake up a bit and remembered we were on a multiday passage, so it couldn't be the Channel Islands..... Where else off California? Nah, it's just a dream. Then I realized, hey, we're in the South China Sea crossing to the Philippines from Vietnam! During the first month of sailing I would often have amazing land dreams, then wake up and realize, I'm on a boat under sail! Imagine the first time you got off a plane in some exotic place - how new and exciting that was. I was getting this feeling sometimes a couple times a day. I had a terrific optical illusion. We'd just sailed out of Choshi, Japan to start the crossing. A red tanker was heading north behind us. As it past I looked at it through my binoculars and it looked like a toy boat. Huh. It took an hour to figure out that this was really odd (otherwise I'd have taken a photo) and why it looked so small. I could see water behind (above) the ship. There's no way with my eyes 2 meters above sea level I could ever see water over the deck of that >150m ship. Somehow I had, and that's why it looked like a toy. (A small bangka fishing boat could look like this but only if it were less than 50 m away and less than 1 meter high.) It took a few more weeks to figure out what had happened. when I saw another false horizon that was marine layer fog. There'd been marine layer fog behind the ship that looked enough like the water the ship was in to read as a false horizon. I was on a four person crew with a watch schedule. Very different from soloing. During watches, I'd always listen to audiobooks (>20 in the three months.) I could start to nod off. I started switching to music the last hour of my night watches. I also started dancing on the back deck. Second best reason to get a cat: deck dancing. Keeps you alert, fit (sort of) and entertained. Tip: When deck dancing don't lift your feet because even in calm seas when you set your foot down the deck will be in a different place. We ran over a guy's net off the Philippines. I'd wanted to move farther off the coast. Nope. Later same attitude ran over my fishing tackle -- end of fishing. (I'd already been successful tuna, mahi mahi). Every time we ate potatoes only soup or extremely low grade hot dogs I thought Filipino Fisherman Payback. Terrific interview. Terrific sailors.

[@BigSportFish]

Both of you are inspirations to so many. I rarely comment on videos but just had to thank you for sharing this little podcast. Fair winds and safe travels. 🤘🏼😎⛵️

[@brandonboand]

James, you are truly a natural at what you are doing! Every episode I watch I save and look forward to watching a 2nd time in the future. Thank you for all your knowledge all your willingness to put yourself out there and share everything your doing. GREAT WORK, GREAT JOB❤

[@steamyb2]

Just saw Holly with that Old Sea Dog and this popped up! Subscribed to both of you guys and love what you are doing. If I was 50 years younger I would do the same, but at 73, I can follow, vicariously living a dream.

[@calcuttaworks6398]

This was amazing seeing two people that I spend my quite boring evenings at my dining room table enthralled in each of their adventures chatting about being adventurers.. so natural and both seem so content. Inspiring to hear and watch !

[@lesshiaman8952]

Thank you for the great interview. One take away I have is about both of you exude a calmness. In light of all the problems that come up in the dynamic world of sailing, your ability to deal with problems and issues large and small is an impressive feat unto itself, and an inspiring take away for me. Thanks again.

[@kennythomas5806]

Amazing interview with Holly. Thanks so much.

[@SailorJames]

Did you see I also interviewed her parents? Also an amazing interview

[@dannyfisher9223]

Thanks James for the insite of Holly's life very interesting to hear! Thanks again and safe travels

[@restrothunderroad]

I LOVE this conversation! SO rad hearing yall talk about feeling and being in tune with your boat. When I heard Holly say that she can wake up because she feels a squall coming, that's so gnarly. The voices are trippy. ⛵🤙

[@Tampo-tiger]

Holly is absolutely fantastic, very understated, clever but not remotely big-headed. James is the same, and this interview/chat was a wonderful inevitability. Two very dear people luxuriating in solitude, with short enough bursts of company to not let them take others for granted, but not to become desperate for company. When our world was populated this sparsely a long time ago it must have been a great place to be.

[@BubbathePirate]

Two of my sailing heroes! Great confab!

[@ramabamaboomboom]

Great interview! Thank you both for having the courage to "put yourself out there" ! My life has been brighter as a result of your videos so thank you sincerely! Wishing you fairwinds on a call sea with star lit skies and peaceful thoughts of the ones you love. God bless.

[@braithmiller]

Great interview, bringing out bits I had not heard yet. Your organizational skills shows great.

[@Siravingmon]

Wonderful. Thank you both for this! 😊

[@SV_Aroo]

Great show guys. I follow you both, but seeing you interact as fellow KZbinrs and cruisers brings a whole other dimension.

[@brandonboand]

As someone commented in the interview with windhippie, they said how much they enjoyed how you make us feel as if we're part of the conversation. I agree. You truly talented James! Again, GREAT WORK❤

[@brandonboand]

Lol, im watching a different conversation of yarns on the TV while commenting 🤣

[@bryanbadger6841]

Thank you James and Holly. This Q+ A is much appreciated. Cheers from somewhere south of you.

[@motomason]

I think you found your calling!! So sweet to sit in with you folks! Keep on sailing

[@jackiegaudette6225]

Loved the interview ! Been following Holly since she started her journey . Found out a lot about her back ground . Will follow your channel for sure . You know the questions to ask and let the person answer them without interfering!

[@DemoMemo]

Whaooow What a lovely wave-tossed tales! 🦭⛵🤘

[@lisaharper1827]

Awesome interview!

[@nickolner]

Nice interview, thanks James

[@JCGible]

Nice conversation. Thank you.

[@ronsteedman5985]

Wow James, another awesome video. You are absolutely amazing as an interviewer and Holly describes her adventures so well. Thanks for the new content, yarns.

[@chriswiedeman490]

I've been following WindHippie for a little while now. I'm glad to have found her and now to have found you. You're living my middle aged dream. Just learned to sail last year and I'm planning on getting better and buying my own boat in about two years. I've subscribed to your channel and will begin watching the old episodes. Enjoy yourself! By the way I'm near Morro Bay, CA so if anyone is passing through and needs rail meat or someone to stand watches hit me up! I'm a certified bare boat captain through the ASA.

[@navcop33]

You know, I stumbled on your channel this afternoon and your content fascinates me! So, Jim ya got a new subscriber. Holly does too. Very interesting interview. I'm not a sailor, I'm a biker but super interesting lifestyle.

[@leifnilsen6107]

Wow. Amazing story. 👏

[@richardclarke8585]

Have watched each of you earlier, adventurous souls you be ! great sharing thanks both of you , all the very best from a Kiwi who has sailed some same waters in my more youthful years .

[@beardedwoodsman9692]

Very interesting and inspiring! Thank you

[@quolls2]

Nice, I am a mines electrician, in Western Australia, just refurbing a 38ft steel mono 😀

[@dan519dan]

Thanks for opening up about your life's adventures and journey. That to the both of you guys.

[@victorimmature]

I heard you mention Holly a few times , and Wow what a life she has led , very interesting . thanks for the Yarn

[@SailorJames]

Make sure you check out her parents interview I did on YARNs as well

[@victorimmature]

@@SailorJames I have watched all the YARNs , This is a Great Series .

[@janliljeberg3769]

Thanks, Holly & James for a rich interview.

[@JCGible]

Thanks!

[@mikenolan7750]

So nice t see my two favorite sailing channels in one episode....

[@karlschmitt6231]

Wow Great interview !

[@judithnicholais1492]

Great interesting interview !

[@brianparkinson5279]

EXCELLENT, BLESS YOU

[@jeanclaude1916]

what a great idea. stay safe my friend

[@billb2176]

45 minutes!!! Cleary something wrong with the KZbin clock it went so quickly - thanks for taking the time to talk :-)))

[@daveg4963]

Legends.

[@cosmodog4845]

Just finished watching the yarn with Holly. I think James Holly and you have many books and magazine articles to write. James from cold Scotland.

[@MicBruise]

Nice interview. I subscribe to both of your channels and look forward to continuing to follow you both on your circumnavigations.

[@-suncheez-]

Great talk, James. Thank you both.

[@marcoopdeweegh8284]

Great interview and learning. Thank you.

[@shabbydoris]

Thank you for sharing, James and Holly - me loving the 'yarns', James. Your yarns are more truth than yarn. A memorable introduction to Holly (in my case) - nice to meet you, young lady - I apologise for not subscribing to your channel sooner 😞 Fair winds, both of you

[@sailingmurdina]

Been watching Wind Hippie for a while now on and off and also started catching James's videos so when i saw James interviewing Holly it was a must see. Very real sailors, no big new boats, no crazy frills just honest down to earth people. Fantastic interview.

[@SailorJames]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@donnykincaid8133]

Awesome and brave

[@felipe96150]

Talking about overwinter in the ice, I can recommend the books written by my fellow countryman Amyr Klink. The most interesting one, Paratii, I don't think it was ever translated to english, but some of his books were, like "Endless Sea". Cheers

[@julianbatcheler9970]

Love Holly… it is the mothership connection.

[@tuvo9791]

would love to see @windhippieSailing interview her family. What an interesting family.

[@SailorJames]

I will likely be interviewing her parents when I visit Maine

[@tuvo9791]

@@SailorJames great interview James!! Looking forward to it!!

[@kimphilley621]

Go James. Yarns...What a great idea/name for people to gain interest in sailing and cruising. You two are a couple of fine salty sailors....

[@TheGodParticles]

Great interview.

[@alfredocat]

wow! the two most badass sailors together. what else?

[@lizgizmo1385]

Love both your Channels

[@RogerMather-gq8rn]

great content you two good folks, thank-you.

[@coffee6783]

Holly and her kid sister recently sailed from Fiji to NZ without an engine - you could chuck her family into a dinghy and they'd happily sail around the world.👍😎

[@DavidD6969]

Great video 👍

[@worldweary1913]

The Martins are bad ass. Cal 25 Direction. No doubt!

[@kiwi6444]

Got to love NZ, I want to sail around her.

[@MarkEdmonds-lb8wq]

Wow…she is Bat Woman, such an amazing story that it left me speechless…nice work James!!

[@decapolis01]

I love adventure so watching James sail lets me see sailing and the world without me having a boat or the time to do it.

[@nielsbrandenborg-hansen9463]

I think it is a very god and intersting idea. Which will help you channel growing 🙂

[@TL-rl9xk]

That was a cool conversation.

[@leandrovalentecosta6842]

Very interesting interview..

[@doradosurfcharters]

👍👍impressive 👏👏

[@roxyknight4909]

What books do you have on your bookshelf ? Any good Sailing ones ? ... love you channel

[@haroldandjoanneg467]

Wasn't Holly nominated for a cruisers award last year? I thought I heard her name mentioned in one of the videos I watched.

[@SailorJames]

Not sure but I doubt it because everyone “nominated” for those “cruiser awards” had to nominate themselves, they contacted me and asked if I wanted to nominate myself, which I think is tacky so I didn’t.

[@junk_rig_sailor1698]

Holly is Kiwi born - who knew. Cool.

[@Yeaitstemp]

I love Holly I'm restoring a bristol 27 to take off her and a few others inspired me to go

[@drwebstercivet5540]

I am in love with this woman. She's beautiful.

[@dylancanterbury8042]

Thank you James, great stories. I look forward to listening to your other podcasts but I could pass on watching you and Holly talking on Gecko.

[@SailorJames]

They all are released in audio format for any who doesn’t want to watch the video

[@Grandmaster-G]

.. -> turn off your display! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ done. Or is this a typo and you meant ''couldn't'' ?

[@dylancanterbury8042]

@@Grandmaster-G oops no offence James and Holly I meant "couldn't" pass on watching you. Lol Thx G

[@johnnyT428]

'Ice' by Tristan Jones in an amazing read

[@vindolanda6974]

Agree. Not sure I would recommend it to a woman though

[@CleanZone-th5vv]

...was thinking about trying to sail across the tasman sea in a trailer yacht...what u reckon?

[@SailorJames]

Make sure you have an Epirb and are prepared to be rescued

[@okiedoke6373]

27:18 so what she's talking about we call that hovering I used to call it hovering you were in between sleep and awake except mine was drug-induced where you would be up 3 or four days in a row but now that I've been sober for 20 years I still find myself like if I'm driving on a trip and I pull into a parking lot or we're working extended hours on the job I can take a 15-minute break a 20-minute break and do that halfway sleep and be good to finish the shift

[@ddbrink663]

whats the thing on pbs about her parents called? My vpn wouldnt let me open the link

[@SailorJames]

It’s called “Ice Blink”

[@ddbrink663]

@@SailorJames thanks man I like the new series

[@fchurch74]

Change the country on your vpn as it may be blocked in your country and available elsewhere.

[@James-re6co]

Just a suggestion...... Write down some bullet points you definitely want to cover. But when you get a chatty person like Holly (and I mean that in a good way!!) let them chat. You don't have to ask question after question after question..... I imagine most solo sailors relish the opportunity to tell their stories. Let them.

[@SailorJames]

There is nothing more obvious than unsolicited advice 👍🏻 Trust me bro, I know how to do what I do

[@shainhaggadone9943]

Sirens

[@michaelzimmerman9221]

I would love to do what you do!

[@glenwaye2609]

I guess Holly seen a few polar bears

[@RulgertGhostalker]

i am currently unsubscribed to both of youz. accept some professional technical perspective for crips sake.

[@SailorJames]

#byefelica

[@RulgertGhostalker]

@@SailorJames what i meant was, i am sick of your ignorant abuse......like read, or something ? ... people who think they are smarter than i am, Because they Don't Read my comments, have no feakin' idea.....that's the reality.

[@RulgertGhostalker]

@@SailorJames if you manage to read that, you will have one up on Holly.....she doesn't read anything.

[@313barrygmail]

When you coming to the Great lakes???

[@southernpaths2986]

I’m enjoying this series WAY more than I thought I would. Interviews, on the whole, aren’t really my thing but when it’s more like you’re part of a conversation it’s really great! I haven’t really followed the Wind Hippie channel up to now, but guess what? She’s got a new subscriber, lol!! As usual, we’ll done, James!

[@normansearle7682]

I’m a long time sailor, started before either of you were born. I want you to know I came across your channels and enjoy them very much, thank you. You both without a doubt are providing inspiration for all the future sailors that view your channels. Stay the course, fair winds and following seas.

[@John-Nada]

I love hearing about the hallucinations and how you're mentally attuned to micro details even while asleep. Excellent conversation.

[@colinboniface194]

What a great episode. Holly is amazing... You're doing a grand job too...

[@jeremysanderson9673]

I really enjoy your long-format films and interviews James. That you are a great sailor is self evident, but you are also a remarkably talented broadcaster and interviewer. I can only imagine the amount of work it takes to get this good. Holly was also the perfect interviewee. What a fascinating person she is!

[@brandonboand]

Ditto, well done James❤

[@tomas5376]

Most enjoyable! Having sailed tens of thousands of miles, I always appreciate hearing other sailor’s stories. Speaking of hearing strange voices, one time in the 70s somewhere off the coast of Central America, as I walked forward on deck, I heard music and voices! Turns out it was a far distant radio station somehow coming in through my rigging! Very strange!!! I think Holly and her family are the perfect example of what sailing is all about. ⛵️⛵️⛵️

[@fa7842]

You saw the coast? You mean the radio was loud?

[@tomas5376]

@@fa7842 No, I was about 100 miles off the coast. It’s amazing how efficient rigging can be as an antenna, and apparently, if it vibrates just right…🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎵🎵

[@fa7842]

@@tomas5376 hoho, never heard about something! Yes big antenna

[@wolfganghofmann3977]

Incredible story she has , thanks for the inspiration, great content, safe travels.

[@John_Long]

Great interview James! Such good info and an enjoyable, chill conversation. Thanks for sharing! May fair winds be with you both!🌬⛵

[@jaydubya4727]

James, thank you for doing this and doing it so well. Typically thorough, thoughtful and thought provoking. Holly, of course, is a perfect guest, and everybody's hero, for sure. I'm a huge fan of both of you and this was epic.

[@ramonadavis3556]

My 2 favorite sailors! Love watching you both circumnavigate our world (from the comfort of my living room, as a solo land lubber). James you are a natural at interviewing people and also as a commentator. Keep up the good work both of you! Can't wait for our next adventure!

[@terryarnerich7806]

Thanks for your time and effort put into these vids something to look back on one day. I have Mairi and Ian Munro's 26 foot Viking yatch they sailed from Vancouver to NZ in the early 1970's the only documentation is a few pages from a sea spray magazine. Fantastic what your doing much respect may catch you sailing past kawau island hauraki gulf.

[@lazzj4995]

This is such great and valuable content- hoping a really big audience get to view this. So American Holly is really a Kiwi kid at heart….explains some of her adventurous ways. As a kiwi i offer a wee apology for the weather this last summer- nor has it improved much since. Wishing you both safe and fun journeys in future and cant wait for your content from yr respective destinations

[@JohnLee-im7iu]

You and holly would make a great couple. Get busy dude.