Latest Updates

September 2 – Trans-Atlantic delivery departure!

September 2 – Trans-Atlantic delivery departure!

September 2, 2023 – 0200 – I type this from the cockpit of Shipyard Brewing (formerly Sparrow), as we are on a deep broad reach across the Gulf of Maine towards the southern tip of Nova Scotia. The moon is full, the seas calm and glistening, and the boat is flat and...

July 27 – Splash down. Re-fit continues. Portland, Maine

July 27 – Splash down. Re-fit continues. Portland, Maine

Sparrow went back into the water two days ago on July 25. For those keeping score at home, that's a bit less than a month in the shed. We were mostly just doing the bottom job and the vinyl wrap, but of course there were several other jobs taken on during this time as...

June 16 – Approaching the finish of my 2,000 NM qualifier passage

June 16 – Approaching the finish of my 2,000 NM qualifier passage

It was a windy and bumpy close reach back to the US east coast from Bermuda, but it was relatively quick! As I write this, I am now 1,639 miles into my 2,000 mile solo qualifying passage for the Global Solo Challenge. It's been a heck of a journey - longer than I...

April 8 – Sparrow sails again. Recap of last part of winter re-fit.

April 8 – Sparrow sails again. Recap of last part of winter re-fit.

After more than four months in Beaufort, NC, it's time for Sparrow and I to cointinue on our way towards that not-so distant starting line in A Coruña, Spain in just six and a half months. When I first got to Beaufort, I had no idea how long i'd be here; maybe a few...

February 14 – Re-fit engage

February 14 – Re-fit engage

While my time in North Carolina hasn't involved much sailing, it has been quite productive. I have been tackling some large projects that I see as being a very high priority to sort out before real training, or a qualification sail can take place. The boat was in good...

January 13 – A winter re-fit in coastal Carolina

January 13 – A winter re-fit in coastal Carolina

January 13 - Beaufort, North Carolina "This town sorta sucks you in" is a fairly common sentiment among people who live in Beaufort, North Carolina. And it does. It's pretty ideal and a bit perfect in many ways. Quiet, safe, beautiful... lots of inland waterways and...

December 4 – Beaufort, North Carolina

December 4 – Beaufort, North Carolina

Just after Thanksgiving, Sparrow bit off her next chunk of the US East Coast as myself and two crew delivered about 400 miles south to the charming town of Beaufort, North Carolina. Not to be confused with Beaufort, South Carolina, the North Carolina version of...

October 30 – Bar Karate Podcast link

October 30 – Bar Karate Podcast link

Another week, another podcast... Super stoked to sit down with my mates down under for the 'Bar Karate' podcast. For those of you that don't know this podcast, it's one of the best racing and sailing podcasts out there and i'm honored to join the list of legends that...

October 26 – Latitude 38 Podcast link is live

October 26 – Latitude 38 Podcast link is live

I was recently featured on the Latitude 38 magazine Podcast called 'Good Jibes'. You can listen to this episode of the podcast at this link: https://goodjibes.libsyn.com/ronnie-simpson-on-the-global-solo-challenge Or you can get it wherever you get your Podcasts, just...

October 24 – Annapolis Part II

October 24 – Annapolis Part II

I've been in Annapolis for nore than two weeks now, and it's again been quite the whirlwind adventure. In some ways Annapolis now feels like home, but as the seasons are changing and the clock is ticking, it also feels like time to go and keep on moving. The boat show...

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis, Maryland

As of this writing, Sparrow is now in Annapolis, Maryland and will soon be on display on the docks at the nation’s largest boat show. Sponsors are coming onboard, new gear is being installed and we had a great run down the coast from New York so needless to say,...

Newport to New York

Newport to New York

After a long upwind beat, Sparrow is now in Jersey City, New Jersey; just across the Hudson River from Manhattan and about 1.25 miles from the Statue of Liberty. Being here is a huge highlight for me, I haven’t been here since I was a child and the energy of this...

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island – Just two weeks after our initial week of sea trials in Maine, s/v Sparrow has now made her way south to Newport, Rhode Island! The first offshore leg of this entire campaign, myself and two crew sailed Sparrow about 300 nautical miles from...

First Week of Sea Trials

First Week of Sea Trials

Portland, Maine – The newly formed Sparrow Sailing Team successfully conducted their first week of sea-trials for next year’s Global Solo Challenge race last week, just offshore of Portland, Maine. Based at the Maine Yacht Center, the Open 50 class racing yacht has...