Episode #89: Michael Moradzadeh on Loving Offshore Sailing

By Nicki Bennett | May 2, 2023

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Michael Moradzadeh to chat his prolific career on and around boats and oceans. Michael has raced in several Pac Cups, TransPacs, and other famous races, is Commodore of Pacific Cup Yacht Club, past Commodore of Corinthian Yacht Club, and has developed many sailing sites and applications.

Hear how to get over the fear of sailing offshore, why there’s nothing like it, how to navigate a busy racing schedule and a desire to cruise, what it’s like to be a PRO (Principal Race Officer), and his role in saving Andy Schwenk’s life.

This episode covers everything from Oaxaca to the Coast Guard. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

How did Michael get into sailing?
What’s next for Oaxaca?
How did Michael start including more women on his team?
Why does he spend so much time as Commodore?
What type of cruising did he do before he got into racing?
Why should you try offshore racing?
What does Michael love about the sailing community?
Short Tacks: Favorite race?

Learn more about Michael at https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/michael-moradzadeh/

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!

This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

Michael Moradzadeh on Loving Offshore Sailing
- [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
- [0:26] John Arndt
- [0:43] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
- [0:54] Learn more about Michael at https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/michael-moradzadeh/
- [2:06] What’s a story that shaped him as a sailor?
- [2:38] Coastal Cup
- [3:49] How did Michael get into sailing?
- [4:27] Lake Lagunita
- [4:49] When did Michael’s mom start sailing?
- [5:08] What has he liked about the different boats he’s sailed?
- [8:08] What’s next for Oaxaca?
- [8:43] Did Michael ever go cruising?
- [10:11] How did he start including more women on his team?
- [12:04] TransPac (TransPacific Yacht Race)
- [12:24] Why does Michael spend so much time as Commodore?
- [13:08] Stan & Sally Honey
- [15:59] This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/
- Offshore Sailing & Sailing Community
- [16:47] What’s the role of a PRO (Principal Race Officer)?
- [19:02] What type of cruising did Michael do before he got into racing?
- [20:21] What does he love about the sailing community?
- [22:03] Pacific Cup (Pac Cup)
- [23:13] What was Michael’s role in saving Andy Schwenk’s life?
- [25:29] Jim Quanci
- [26:18] Mary Lovely
- [26:47] Coast Guard
- [32:15] Why should you try offshore racing?
- [34:29] British Airways
- [34:49] This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/
- Short Tacks
- [35:48] What’s Michael’s dream boat?
- [37:13] What’s his longest offshore passage?
- [38:43] What’s his favorite place to sail?
- [39:19] What’s his favorite race?
- [39:53] What’s the most important safety device other than a life jacket?
- [40:34] What’s the most important lesson he’s learned from sailing?
- [41:24] Gipsy Moth Circles the World by Sir Francis Chichester, Liza Copeland books, William F. Buckley Jr. sailing books
- [42:48] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
- [42:55] What final thoughts does Michael have?
- [44:04] Learn more about Michael at https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/michael-moradzadeh/
- [44:12] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
- [44:19] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
- [44:28] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
- [44:33] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
- [44:51] Check out the May 2023 issue of Latitude 38
- Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

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