After three decades hosting Boathouse TV and Radio, Captain Mike Whitehead has sat down with some of the most fascinating figures in boating, business, and broadcasting. Here are a few interviews that still stand out.
Over more than thirty years on the air — first with Boathouse TV, then the Boathouse Radio Show — I've had the rare privilege of sitting down with hundreds of people who share a love for the water. Some were legends of industry, some were champions of conservation, and some were simply everyday boaters with extraordinary stories. A handful of those conversations have stayed with me long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Roy E. Disney: A Sailor's Passion
One of the great joys of Boathouse TV was interviewing Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt and a lifelong, passionate sailor. Roy wasn't just a name on a balance sheet — he was a genuine mariner who raced his beloved Pyewacket in the Transpacific Yacht Race and championed the sport at every level. We talked about the thrill of offshore racing, the camaraderie of the sailing community, and why being out on the water kept him grounded in a life that was anything but ordinary. What I remember most was his humility; he spoke about his crew the way most people talk about family.
Voices from the Harbor
Beyond the famous names, some of the most memorable interviews came from the people who make boating their daily life — harbor masters, yacht club commodores, Coast Guard officers, marine mechanics, and longtime charter captains. There was the veteran salvage operator who'd pulled everything from sunken sailboats to lost wedding rings out of the harbor, and the harbor master who could name every vessel in the marina by sight. These were the conversations that reminded me why Boathouse was never just about boats — it was about the people who build their lives around the water.
The Broadcasters Who Shaped Me
I also had the chance to interview fellow broadcasters and on-air personalities who'd spent careers calling races, regattas, and parades. Comparing notes on the craft of live announcing — the timing, the pacing, the challenge of describing something moving across water to an audience that can't see it — gave me a deep appreciation for the tradition I'm part of. Those interviews shaped how I've approached announcing events like the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade for all these years.
Why These Conversations Matter
Every interview, whether with a billionaire yachtsman or a first-time boat owner, comes down to the same thing: a story about what the water means to someone. That's been the heartbeat of Boathouse from the very beginning, and it's why I still get excited every time a new guest steps aboard.
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Captain Mike Whitehead
USCG licensed captain, host of Boathouse TV and the Boathouse Radio Show, newspaper columnist, author, and keynote speaker. Captain Mike has been America's premier boating voice since 1991 — sharing real stories, boating insights, and safety tips from a lifetime on the water.