Michael Hodges - Editor & Founder
Michael Hodges is the editor and founder of OldSeaDogs.com, a site born from a lifelong love of the sea and a deep-rooted passion for boating culture. At 62, Michael brings a wealth of hands-on maritime experience, insightful commentary, and a true sailor’s spirit to the helm of the platform. His mission is to share the stories, people, vessels, and places that make the marine world so endlessly captivating.
Based on the Isle of Wight, Michael is a well-known and well-liked figure in the local sailing community. He can regularly be found in Cowes—either at the Island Sailing Club, Island Harbour Sailing Club, or out on the water in his sleek Ribeye RIB, which he purchased during a visit to the Southampton Boat Show. His ties to the Solent go back decades, and his enthusiasm for boating has only deepened over time.
Michael’s boating journey began in 1997 when he purchased his first vessel—a Sunseeker Martinique—which was originally moored at the top of the Hamble River, just near the Jolly Sailor pub. That boat sparked a lifelong passion, leading him on countless nautical adventures both in the UK and abroad.
He holds several respected maritime qualifications, including the RYA Practical Day Skipper, Shorebased Day Skipper for Sail and Power Craft, and the Powerboat Level 2 handling certificate. Not just content with the surface, Michael is also a certified PADI diver, giving him a deeper appreciation for the marine world beneath the waves. Whether skippering or diving, he’s happiest when surrounded by water. Michael has sailed many time in the around the idyllic Ionian Sea, enjoying both monohull and multihull cruising holidays. These experiences have enriched his knowledge of seamanship and broadened his understanding of international sailing cultures.
Away from the tiller, Michael is a proud husband and father to three grown sons—James, Ashley, and Karl—who have all inherited a touch of his adventurous spirit. His writing combines technical insight with warmth, humor, and a storyteller’s eye, making OldSeaDogs.com a vibrant online harbour for fellow enthusiasts, armchair sailors, and curious newcomers alike. From the deck of a RIB in Cowes to the sun-drenched ports of Greece, Michael’s journey continues—charting a course that’s as much about people and purpose as it is about wind and water.
