Andy Schell

Andy Schell is the co-founder of 59º North Sailing, which takes paying crew on offshore sailing passages around the Atlantic, Arctic, Caribbean and beyond. They are currently refitting the Farr 65 FALKEN as their new flagship, while they operate their Swan 59 ICEBEAR and Swan 48 ISBJORN in the meantime. Andy founded and hosts the ON THE WIND sailing podcast and recently launched the online seamanship platform The QUARTERDECK. Andy has sailed over 100,000 miles offshore, including 5 Atlantic crossings and an expedition to 80º North in Svalbard in 2018. Check them out at 59-north.com.

When Stuff Goes Wrong At Sea

May 9, 2022 by Andy Schell

Reading Time: 11 minutes

It’s easy to feel competent when things go well at sea in a yacht, but the real learning begins when stuff goes wrong.

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How To Fly a Drone to Make Awesome Video and Photos At Sea

February 9, 2022September 7, 2019 by Andy Schell

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Andy, of 59˚North, shares his hard-won drone-flying secrets so that you can get the same cool video and stills while sailing offshore that he does.

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Weather Routing In Action

March 6, 2020December 15, 2017 by Andy Schell

Reading Time: 8 minutes

Andy shares how he used his understanding of the weather and strategic route planning, together with high-tech tools, during his recent Atlantic crossing, to make a faster and better passage than just sticking with the normal route would have.

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Automated Weather Routing—Part 1, The Tools

March 6, 2020November 24, 2017 by Andy Schell

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Andy takes a deep dive into the world of automated weather routing, integrated with navigation, and all running on an iPad, a very different approach than the one John has detailed earlier in this Online Book. You can decide which works best for your type of cruising.

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Watt & Sea Hydro Generator Review

February 21, 2021August 4, 2017 by Andy Schell

Reading Time: 12 minutes

Are you considering a hydro generator? Here’s everything you need to know, warts and all, from an experienced user.

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Designing For Dux Rope Rigging—A Paradigm Shift—Part 2

March 6, 2020October 29, 2016 by Andy Schell

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Andy takes a deep dive into when, if and how, to re-rig with Dux high modulus Dyneema rope. Techniques, advantages and disadvantages, it’s all here.

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Dynice Dux, Part 1: Practical Low-Stretch Rope Rigging For Offshore Sailboats

March 6, 2020October 25, 2016 by Andy Schell

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Andy’s a big fan of Dux high modulus rope standing rigging. He takes a look at what Dux is and some really interesting uses for it.

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Things I’ve Learned From Three Refits That Will Help You

March 25, 2021May 13, 2016 by Andy Schell

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Andy Schell summarizes what he has learned from the three refits , and provides some solid hard-earned tips for anyone considering refitting an old boat.

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