sail the blue yachting

804 815 1233

Instructional passages coming in 2024. Still cruising in 2023. 

The progression from long distance sailing to chartering and on to helping others solidify their voyaging skills has been natural

About the Boat

Cénou.

Cénou is a Freydis 46 designed by Erik Lerouge. It offers a blend of comfort and performance. Able to sail at or better than wind speed in lighter winds, Cénou will average 8 to 10 knots all day in heavier air, rewarding those who like to sail without leaving behind comfort.

Contact us today!

Sail the blue llc, 270 bellevue ave, newport, ri.    , ph: 804-815-1233.

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Yachts Corfu Service

Located in Corfu, Greece, Sail the Blue Yachting is a Yacht Service, Management, Charter and Brokerage company, made up of experienced yacht managers and seasoned technicians who understand every aspect of yacht service and maintenance.

Sail the Blue Yachting, founded by director Argyris Tangalidis, prides itself on the reputation and results achieved by Argyris over 28 years of experience in the yachting and marine industry.

SBY represents the ultimate in integrity, knowledge and customer service. Multilingual professional staff, a network of cooperators, thorough yachting knowledge and a genuine commitment in providing the right, personalized, service to suit your needs has resulted in a proven track record of satisfied yacht owners.

SBY offers a wide range of services and products for all your yacht and boat needs. These services include:

• Yacht Service
• Guardianage
• Supervising
• Yachts Refit
• Boat Share Management
• Administration
• Crew Management
• Yacht Agency and Documentation

Sail the Blue is an official collaborator of Gouvia Marina.

Our company is insured and covered both by the Greek State National Insurance system and Daes London Insurance (Lloyd’s Syndicates) in all matters concerning Third-Party damages, products liability and personal injury caused by person(s).

Our company has been taking part in many major Boat Shows, with a strong annual representation at Boot Dusseldorf. Every year look for us at Boot Dusseldorf to enjoy many boat-show specific promotions and discounts.

Sail the Blue has already a confirmed spot at the 2020 Dusseldorf. We look forward to seeing you there! The show will run from 18 to 26 of January! Don’t miss out!

TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND REPAIRS – MAINTENANCE

Dedicated professional staff provides excellent, friendly service and a network of technical support which will allow your travel wherever in the Greek waters, with confidence and professionalism. The basis of any well-maintained yacht is a Maintenance plan. We can help establish, monitor and audit a plan, ensuring that equipment is maintained according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and that required maintenance is undertaken on schedule. This will help maintain the value of the yacht and significantly reduce the chance of breakdowns.

PRIVATE YACHT SERVICE – GUARDIANAGE

Owning a yacht is very similar to running a business. We are here to ensure your “business” is running safely, efficiently and cost effectively. A qualified and experienced manager will be assigned to your yacht to make sure your high standards are reflected through our company. Our client list was created mainly on referrals and from our standings within the industry. Our reputation, as a company, has been established over the past 18 years making us one of the most experienced companies in our field.

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Dreaming of paradise? Charter a yacht in Greece

Free your Senses – Experience the Excellence

Approach your dreams by sailing away among Greek islands and the Greek mainland.

Live a wonderful sailing experience and relax on board in style and comfort under the Greek blue sky and in crystal waters.

Planning a sailing holiday is as easy as 1-2-3. You just have to decide:

Our fully equipped Sailing yachts, monohulls – catamarans from different navigation areas Argosaronic Gulf, Ionian Islands, Dodecanese, Cyclades & Sporades, will become a real pleasure and complete escape from your daily routine.

All you need to know about the top sailing destinations in Greece is only an e-mail away! You can have a look at our back to base or last minute special offers, maybe one of them can be suitable for your sailing holidays plan.

Consider also our Sailing Route Proposals at Itineraries .

Some of the yachts we offer are our own fleet while some others are under management or belong to individual owners. No need to say that we check ALL the yachts we offer just to be sure about their condition.

You can contact us any time during your cruise in order to have any additional information or requirement. We will be there to assist you and make your sailing adventure in the Greek islands easygoing.

Our dedicated staff that can demonstrate the yacht and every detail of her devices. Explaining all essential parts of the sailing yacht that you should have full knowledge of, we are able to make you feel like home, because your sailing holidays in Greece are so important to us as it is to you.

Our real reward is the smile on your faces!!

Read more client testimonials →

• 215 El. Venizelou str, GR 16341 Ilioupoli - Athens , Greece
• +30 210 7649580
• +30 693 7142 249
• [email protected]

SUN ODYSSEY 440

Introducing our newest gem to the fleet! Enjoy special discounts and get to know her while sailing the majestic Ionian Sea!

Check her on our SPECIAL OFFERS page

Use the form below to request availability check for your sailing experience.

Blue Pearl 

Sailing the Sea of Cortez and beyond

MMSI: 338184311

Where in the world is BLUE PEARL!?

Chris & jess.

We are Chris and Jessica Hanna (along with fur babies Daisy and Max). After traveling the United States in an RV for over two years, we traveled to La Paz Baja California Sur and bought a 65 foot sailboat. After her nine and a half week refit on the hard, we’re finally living aboard in and around the Sea of Cortez.  There’s still much to do to bring her back to her original glory and there is no end to the beautiful areas to explore. Please join us while we navigate through this sometimes insane but always incredibly beautiful adventure!

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Click here to read our article in the March, 2024 issue!

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We would love to hear from you!   XO Chris & Jess. 

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Phone: +1(530)355-2926

Email: [email protected]

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We would love to hear from you! XO Chris & Jess

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THE BLUE Sailing

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime, sailing to the most magical islands on our stunning yacht..

Our elegant schooner ‘The Blue’ has been designed and custom fitted to accommodate everything required of a luxury yacht charter. We look forward to providing you a relaxed sailing experience through South East Asia and the Maldives.

Relaxed island hopping to unforgettable destinations

If you love the ocean, sailing, swimming, snorkeling and diving in some of the most magical locations in the world, then this is your next adventure. Our crew will take care of every detail to insure you have a unforgettable experience.

Where is your next adventure taking you?

South East Asia is a region of astonishing cultural diversity, encompassing hundreds of languages, dialects and a sweeping variety of excellent cuisines.

Diving and Snorkeling

The Maldives

The Komodo Islands

The Banda Islands and South Maluku

Alor Archipelago and Flores Island

Incredible Indonesia – Yacht Charters

Amazing Anambas – Indonesia

THE BLUE Sailing and Chartering Area

Snorkel with the fish and turtles after a leisurely sail to the beautiful tropical islands.The lagoons are teeming with bright corals and tropical fish, as well as beautiful giant clams and friendly green turtles.

South East Asia is a region of astonishing cultural diversity, encompassing hundreds of languages and dialects and the full range of religious beliefs, from indigenous faiths to all the major world religions. The landscape is as varied as the culture. From bustling cities to remote hill villages, from mountainous rain-forests to deserted beaches and from ancient temples to markets bursting with unfamiliar ingredients, South East Asia has a broad appeal.

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Learn to Sail: Q&A with Blue Pacific Yachting

Ahoy, future sailors! Let’s dive into the world of sailing with a special Q&A session featuring the seasoned sailors of Blue Pacific Yachting . Scroll below to read answers from Blue Pacific Yachting’s General Manager, Mollie Perlman. 

If the idea of mastering the art of sailing has been floating in your mind, then you’ve come to the right place! Picture yourself gliding through the sparkling waters of Marina del Rey, the wind tugging at your sails, and the sun kissing your skin. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have dabbled in sailing before, L.A.’s Marina offers a perfect playground for honing your skills. 

American Sailing Association recently named Blue Pacific Yachting within their top 5 places in the world to learn how to sail this summer!  Click here to read the story. It’s even more remarkable considering they are one of only two locations in the United States mentioned in this list. 

Photo credit: Blue Pacific Yachting 

Do you offer group classes?

Blue Pacific Yachting offers group and private courses. Most of the courses we offer are certified ASA (American Sailing Association) classes. We also offer certified US Powerboating courses. We run semi-private (2 people), private (1 person), family classes, and custom courses as well. Believe it or not, we offer these classes 365 days a year! We have weekday courses and weekend courses to fit everyone's needs. If our scheduled class dates don't work for you, and if you have a group of 3 or larger, or sign up for a private class, we can schedule the course around your schedule. We try to accommodate everyone and provide as many options as possible for our clients. 

How many days to get certified and sail your own boat?

This depends on your goals. We have a building block approach. After your first class (Sailing - ASA 101, US Powerboating - Basic Powerboat Cruising), you'll be able to charter our smaller vessels (up to 28ft). The beginning level class lasts 2 full days. We also offer a confidence sail after you complete the course to give you extra practice with an instructor before you set sail on your own.  If your goal is to operate a slightly larger boat (up to 40ft), you'll want to then take our intermediate level class (Sailing - 103, Powerboating - Inshore Powerboat Cruising). This class lasts 3 full days. If your ultimate goal is to take our vessels to Catalina Island for a multi-day trip, you'll then want to move onto our ASA 104 course for a 3 day/ 2 night class. Most of our students combine this class with our catamaran course (ASA 114), so you will take one of our four beautiful catamarans to the island. I've taken this class myself a few times and highly recommend it! There's nothing like waking up on a boat, listening to the waves, and watching the sunrise over the island. 

On what kind of sailboat do you learn?

You will start out on our 25ft sailboats with an outboard engine. We recommend starting out on a small vessel due to the fact you feel the vessel respond much faster than a larger vessel. As soon as you make an adjustment to the tiller (steering), the vessel immediately responds. Also, you will feel the change in direction and speed when sheeting in the sails and sheeting them out. Lastly, body weight affects how the vessel sails... if you move weight to windward/leeward/forward/aft (all sailing terms you will learn in class!), you will see how that helps steer the boat, speed up the boat, etc.   As for our powerboating program, you will start out on a 28ft sports cruiser. 

How would someone get to “practice” sailing? Is there a membership or some way to rent boats from you once someone gets certified?

In terms of practice, yes, we highly recommend that once our students complete their classes, they should come back as soon as possible while the material is fresh in their minds and practice. Students can either sign up for 3-hour confidence sails, come back with fellow students to rent, or practice with family and friends on our smaller vessels. We do offer a membership which helps bring down the costs of classes and charters. For example, our members get to take our 25ft vessels out for as little as $99 per day! We do this to encourage our members to keep up their skillset and so they have plenty of opportunities to get out on the water... even if it's just for a couple hours after work on a beautiful summer day. As for our powerboating program, our clients can rent our 28ft sports cruiser for as little as 2-hours so they can also practice and enjoy some time on the water. Our membership will give them access to lower pricing. 

What makes Marina del Rey a good spot for learning to sail?

Marina del Rey is a great place to learn how to sail! Did you know, Marina del Rey is the second largest man-made marina in the world! The marina was designed and built with wind direction in mind, so sailors can easily sail in and out. For beginners, you can spend all day just sailing around inside the marina if you are not yet ready for ocean sailing. The conditions are ideal... average wind speed is between 5kts - 10kts (for non-sailors, this means you have just enough wind to go sailing, but not too much where it is overwhelming). The Santa Monica Bay coastline is beautiful... head north and you will pass the iconic Santa Monica pier (and see the Hollywood sign in the distance!) and then up to beautiful Malibu. Head south and you will hit Palos Verdes cliffs and do some whale watching! Or head southwest and you will hit Catalina Island... a very popular destination for our students and charter clients! During wintertime, you can sail within the marina and see the snowcapped mountains in the distance. We are very lucky to be in a climate (65-to-75-degree average) where you can sail 365 days/year!

Anything else you should know about learning to sail?

Everyone learns differently and at different speeds. ASA has designed their sailing program to reach all types of learners... kinesthetic, audio, and visual. Their award-winning textbooks were developed by passionate sailing professionals. There are also quizzes and glossaries to help readers quickly pick up nautical terminology. Plus, the on the water drills will give you plenty of repetition and practice. If you feel you need more practice before setting sail on your own, you can purchase additional confidence sails so you can practice with an instructor until you feel ready.

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Sail Catalina with Blue Pacific Yachting

By: Zeke Quezada, ASA American Sailing Association , Destinations , Learn To Sail , Schools

Sail to Catalina Island  

If you grow up in Southern California, you have looked across the Pacific Ocean to see Catalina Island—the island hovers on the horizon like our very own Riviera. As kids, you may have taken a whale watch boat across the channel or taken the ferry to the island for a day trip. In sixth grade, my elementary school class raised money to visit this island “26 miles across the sea,” and Santa Catalina was waiting for me.

10-year-old me; he became a sailor that day. As kids around me were getting seasick, I held a camera in my hand and took as many Instamatic photos as possible. Then, I watched a few sailboats, and I was hooked. I knew one day I would own a sailboat.

My first overnight sailing excursion was to Catalina Island, and my family still sails across to Two Harbors at least once a year.

Sailors wanting to have the Catalina Island experience can get just that with Blue Pacific Yachting out of Marina Del Rey, California.

Sail to Catalina Island with Blue Pacific Yachting  

American Sailing School, Blue Pacific Yachting have added new learn to sail classes to their already lengthy collection of sailing courses. Their 6 day, 5 night “0 to Hero” live-aboard class is conducted on their new 2023 Excess 11 catamaran or their very popular 2019 Jeanneau 440. Students complete our ASA 101, 103, 104, and 114 classes in 6 days. The first two days are in Marina del Rey, and then on day 3, they take off for Catalina Island for the remaining 4 days. 

Blue Pacific Yachting also offers a Catalina Island Charter Class. This non-ASA certification course helps build your charter skillset and charter resume for future trips. Blue Pacific Yachting has 4 catamarans in their fleet and they will be holding 3 separate 5-day charter classes (July, August, September). Classes includ the vessel, captain/instructor, some provisioning, fuel, and mooring fees.

Blue Pacific Yachting has a charter fleet that includes:

• 2022 Leopard 45 – 4 cabins/ 4 heads
• 2020 Lagoon 42 – 4 cabins/ 4 heads
• 2023 Excess 11 – 4 cabins/ 2 heads
• 2014 Leopard 44 – 4 cabins/ 4 heads
• 2023 Dufour 470 (47ft monohull with 4 cabins/4 heads 
• 2019 Jeanneau 440 (44ft monohull with 3 cabins/2 heads)
• 2013 Dufour 450 Performance (45ft monohull with 3 cabins/ 2 heads)

Why Sail To Catalina Island?

If you are from Southern Calironia it affords you a sailing vacation without a trip to the airport or updating your passport. However if you need more reasons to visit Santa Catalina Island here are a few:

• Beautiful natural scenery: Catalina Island is known for its stunning natural beauty, including crystal-clear waters, rugged coastline, and rolling hills. Spend an afternoon kayaking and snorkeling directly from your sailboat.  If you are anchored in two harbors hiking trails are easily accessible.  
• Unique cultural attractions: The island has a rich history and unique cultural offerings, including the Catalina Island Museum and the Catalina Island Casino, a famous landmark that features a ballroom, movie theater, and museum.
• Recreational opportunities: Visitors can enjoy a range of recreational activities, such as golfing, fishing, parasailing, and zip-lining.  If you enoy eating as a recreational activity having a meal with a view of the ocean is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
• Family-friendly fun: Catalina Island offers a variety of activities that are perfect for families, such as glass-bottom boat tours, miniature golf, and a zipline eco-tour.
• Unique wildlife: The island is home to a variety of unique wildlife, such as the Catalina Island fox, which is found nowhere else in the world. Visitors can also spot dolphins, whales, and other marine life on a boat tour or while snorkeling.  However, the American Bison has a home on Catalina Island. The bison were brought to the island in the 1920s for the filming of a movie and were left there afterwards. Over time, their population grew and they have since become one of the island’s most iconic attractions. Today, visitors can see bison grazing in the interior of the island, and there are guided tours available that provide a closer look at these magnificent animals. The Catalina Island Conservancy manages the bison population and conducts regular health checks to ensure their well-being.

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

10 must-read tips for Bluewater cruising

• Joshua Shankle and Rachel Moore
• November 30, 2023

After a decade aboard his yacht bluewater cruising, Joshua shankle shares his 10 top tips gained over 10 years on the water

Bluewater cruising can be a transformative journey, filled with remarkable moments and unforgettable adventures. But challenges come hand in hand with this way of life: from the constant maintenance and repairs, to the never-ending cleaning and polishing, liveaboard sailing can sometimes be exhausting and frustrating. Over the past decade, I’ve experienced both the highs and lows of this lifestyle, falling in and out of love with our boat countless times.

Inevitably, just when the frustrations threaten to overwhelm me, something magical happens and we are blessed with one of those days where everything falls into place. When conditions are ideal, the boat is cutting through the water, and all feels right with the world once again.

These are the days that reignite my passion for sailing and reaffirm my decision to embrace this lifestyle. We’ve discovered that the longer we spend on the water, the more frequently we experience these exceptional days, which is why we choose to never leave it.

While I wouldn’t consider myself an expert sailor, I am fortunate to surround myself with individuals who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience. Seeking advice and insights from those who’ve spent decades exploring the seas has been invaluable. Countless evenings, we’ve had the privilege of sharing stories and sundowners with couples who have dedicated their lives to cruising, some for over 30 years, a few fortunate souls for over 40. Their tales and experiences have sparked vivid dreams within me of my wife Rachel and I forging a similar life for ourselves.

For 10 years we have carved our own path amidst the vast ocean. So while our knowledge is based on our own experiences and what has worked for us, here are a few insights that I wish I’d known when we first set out on this journey:

You can grow food onboard as well as buying what you need

10 bluewater cruising tips

You can find food everywhere, so prioritise your favourites. Before departing from our home port in the USA, Rachel and I vacuum-sealed what would turn out to be nearly a year’s worth of flour, rice, and sugar. We also stowed away an abundance of canned food ‘just in case’, but we carried very little of our preferred snacks and other products. Every port we have visited has had the basics, but it was the hard-to-find favourites that we missed most. Make sure to make room for them in your provisions.

Buy the largest watermaker you can afford, and know how to service it. Photo: Joshua and Rachel Shankle

Consider upgrading to a larger watermaker , or if you’re planning to purchase a watermaker, choose the largest or highest output unit that fits your budget. We used to have a 7gph unit, which was energy-efficient but required constant running.

Now, with our 40gph watermaker, we only need to listen to it for two hours a week. In my experience, larger units also produce cleaner water and encounter fewer issues. Being able to rinse off as often as you like, wash gear and clothes, or even wash down the boat after a long bash to windward, all help to make life more enjoyable and prolongs the life of your gear sustainably.

Wear long-sleeved and hooded sun shirts rather than constantly having to apply chemical sunscreen. Photo: Joshua and Rachel Shankle

Sun protection

Long-sleeved, hooded sun shirts are better than sunscreen. Instead of constantly applying greasy sunscreen to your arms, neck, and ears, wear an SPF-rated shirt. They offer more comfort, protect the environment, and prevent your cushions and pillows from becoming oily. We also wear sun-protection buffs, trousers, and gloves for long days out on the water.

A powerful outboard for your tender will repay its cost many times over by making it quicker and safer to head for a beach, lug provisions back to the boat or even tow a yacht. Photo: Joshua and Rachel Shankle

Ship-to-shore

Get the largest outboard engine your dinghy can handle. Having a fast tender allows you to anchor in protected areas and easily reach fun surf breaks, excellent snorkelling spots, and transport all your gear and big provision runs. It also serves for safety and emergencies. On several occasions we’ve tied our tender alongside a sailboat with a dead diesel engine and towed the disabled vessel to safety.

Your cockpit can be your living room – make it comfortable with plenty of shade. Photo: Joshua and Rachel Shankle

Outdoor living

Treat your cockpit as your living room. We sail hundreds or even thousands of nautical miles to reach picturesque anchorages, and the place we want to sit and enjoy the well-earned view is the cockpit.

Size matters less than comfort, so add plenty of cushions, pillows, and shades to protect you from the tropical sun. It will create a more enjoyable space to relax during the day or entertain late into the evening (OK, usually no later than 2130 for most of us!).

Some jobs are more time-consuming to do afloat, so up-spec power and water generation for ease. Photo: Joshua and Rachel Shankle

Spares and repairs

Keep well-documented manuals for each system on board. This will help you find part numbers, service intervals, and essential information when you need it most. Even better, download the PDF versions and keep them on a hard drive or phone. Often these are searchable documents making it easier to find relevant information.

Photo: Tor Johnson

Learn how to utilise navigation tools like Open CPN, Google Earth, and Ovital Maps. Being able to access high-definition satellite photos of passes, islands, and anchorages before arrival will assist you in planning anchorages, avoiding hazards, and navigating effectively, especially in challenging conditions and areas that are poorly charted.

Running multiple routes over each other, especially in bommie-infested lagoons like French Polynesia’s Tuamotu islands, provides peace of mind and eases navigation in poor light or inclement weather.

Almost inevitably you’ll use more power than you first thought, so prioritise generation and storage. Photo: Joshua and Rachel Shankle

Energy consumption

Prioritise power generation. Assess your energy consumption and invest in solar power, wind generators, and lithium batteries to keep your boat comfortably off-grid for longer periods, reducing the need for generator use. When we departed from Ventura, California, Agápe had 520W of solar power charging 630Ah of AGM batteries.

We made every effort to keep our batteries above 60% charge and rarely let them drop below 50%, but it meant running the generator every fourth or fifth day for a few hours. Soon after, we realised our power consumption was higher than expected. To live off-grid comfortably and make cruising sustainable for Rachel and me, we needed more power. Now, Agápe boasts 875W of solar power and 500Ah of lithium batteries.

Preventative maintenance – perhaps an hour a day – helps keep the boat fully functional. Photo: Joshua and Rachel Shankle

Maintenance

Practise preventive maintenance for more free time. It takes about an hour each day to keep the boat fully functional, in good working order, and aesthetically pleasing. If you skip a few days, you might not notice the difference, but you’ll eventually fall behind.

Every morning, before the heat of the day, one of us walks around the deck from the starboard side of the cockpit to the bow and then down the port side. Whenever we spot something that needs attention, we stop and make it our task for the day. Sometimes, we complete the entire loop and find everything working perfectly, with all the oil changes done and tarnished areas sparkling. At that point, grab your mask, fins, and scrubbing brush, and give the waterline a quick wipe. Now you’re ready to enjoy the day.

Slow down to really appreciate the beautiful places you’ll visit, and don’t always be in too much of a hurry to move on. Photo: Joshua and Rachel Shankle

Take your time

Slow down. In our first three years, we felt the need to constantly keep moving. There were so many beaches to sit on and reefs to dive that we felt compelled to maintain a fast pace to try and see them all. However, relocating our entire home every three days proved to be exhausting.

Once we embraced a slower pace, we not only began to appreciate the magnificent places and experiences we were encountering more, but also found joy in the act of cruising itself. Slowing down has proven to be the most important factor in sustaining our cruising lifestyle.

Over the years we’ve witnessed many cruisers burn out after just a year or two, even though they had several more years of cruising ahead of them. Some people attempt to cram too much into a short itinerary, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and drained, which prevents them from truly enjoying their experiences and inevitably makes them yearn for the comforts and routines of life on land.

If you enjoyed this….

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Catamaran Blue Pepper

• Availability & Rates

7-Night Charter Rates

Catamaran Blue Pepper Overview

2019 USVI Charter Yacht Show - Best in Show (56’ to 65’) 2019 USVI Charter Yacht Show - 2nd place dessert winner in culinary competition 2019 USVI Charter Yacht Show - Best Themed Yacht Hop 2018 USVI Charter Yacht Show - 1st place in Save the Blue Water Competition BLUE PEPPER offers five guest cabins, each with a queen size berth, en-suite bath with stall shower, electric fresh water flush toilet and vanity. Each guest cabin has an individual control for the A/C to ensure your comfort. There is a very spacious salon, large aft deck for lounging and alfresco dining, and a lovely top fly-bridge offering a 360 degree view of paradise and is fully covered with shade awning for clients comfort.

Green Initiative

Eco-friendly cleaning products, limited paper products, chef purchases locally grown and organic produce when available. Reef clean-ups. Fishing is catch and release only.

Meet the Crew

Captain Brendan Ronan

Brendan fell in love with sailing watching the 1983 America’s Cup in Newport (still jokes that he is upset that we lost that one) and fantasized of a life aboard a boat ever since. Growing up in New Hampshire, he spent as much time as possible either in or on the frigid water at his families summers house in Maine, learning and enjoying every moment away from dry land. Then he went off to college in Florida, chasing the warm weather and adventure he always dreamed of. He has always had a love for travel and scoured the travel magazines looking at the exotic lands and places he wanted to see and experience. As they say, life gets in the way sometimes and until a few years ago he would say my international travel experience was pretty much limited to EPCOT!” Ha Ha. After a career in NYC mixing sound for Television and Film and then reconnecting with with his High School dream girl Karen (she was the super hot athletic girl, he was the dorkish A/V squad type) he decided there was no time like the present to make the most of life and make the move to Florida and then into the yachting world so he could show people the natural beauty and experiences of the Virgin Islands! Brendan loves meeting and entertaining new friends each charter and his Captain's drinks of the day are something to look forward to! He loves making drinks for his guests as it is a great time of the day to relax and enjoy friends and family while watching the sunset! Whether sailing or motoring to the next adventure, you will always find Brendan incredibly happy with a smile on his face. Brendan enjoys every minute of every day, living the life he dreamed of for so long, and truly appreciates even the smallest things that life has to offer. There is no doubt you will enjoy spending time with Brendan as he is so incredibly helpful and fun and makes people around him feel happy and special too. ..read more

Chef Karen Rogers

Karen grew up in New Hampshire and moved to Florida for college, following her love of athletics but mainly following her love of the warm weather. Her true passion for traveling blossomed in graduate school when her fellow students (who were from Europe) invited her over, and off she went living the backpack life! Eventually, her new career as a commercial real estate broker finally pulled her back home but it didn’t take her long to figure out that she could work and travel too! Whatever rainbow or fun adventure she was chasing, she always went back to Florida to work a little and spend time with her wonderful family. For years she lived and loved her extensive travels all over the world, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures and foods, so when the opportunity to work on a yacht came up in a conversation on a plane to Hungary, she was all in! She then found another perfect blend of what she loved in life…travel, food, adventures, and people! So, Karen started her career in yachting in Croatia where she began cooking for guests on their magical vacations. She creates delicious meals, snacks, and treats for her guests that make their spirits and their tummies happy! She has been honing her skills in the Virgin Islands for the past few years where she loves preparing delicious food for her guests and making sure they eat to their heart's content! After all of her travels around this amazing world, it is incredible that she reconnected with her high school friend, Brendan (who was almost literally the boy next door) and they started the next chapter of their lives together! You may never find another person like Karen in this amazing world, the combination of her magnetic smile and infectious laugh, incredible personality and love for people, animals, and nature will put a smile on your face for a long long time, even after you return from your vacation in paradise.

Availability calendar for Blue Pepper:

Listed below are any confirmed reservations or unavailability, as well as current holds / options. Note: this calendar is not always 100% current. Please contact us for more information about available dates aboard this yacht.

Hours required between charters: 48

7-night Charter Rates by Group Size

Contact us for rates and current availability or to book a charter aboard Blue Pepper!

Full Specifications for Blue Pepper

Specifications

Accommodation, water sports, entertainment,    sample menu.

Sample Menu - Chef Karen Rogers

Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese and Capers Avocado Toast Fried Queso Blanco Egg and Zucchini Frittata Caribbean Pancakes with Fresh Fruit Maple Pecan Quinoa with Fruit Cinnamon Raisin French Toast Omelettes or Eggs to Order with Assorted Breads, Bacon, and Sausages Daily  Fun-Filled Crepes Belgian Waffles with fruit

BBQ Chicken Sliders Fish Tacos and Exotic Bean Salad Gilligan’s Chicken Salad Sausage Lettuce Wraps Chicken and Cabbage Salad ala Karen Island Shrimp Rolls Grouper Sliders Greek Salad

HORS D'OEUVRES

Zesty Cucumber Bites Caprese Salad Crab Parmesan Dip Coconut Shrimp Bites Zesty Bacon Cheesy Bread Meat and Cheese Charcuterie

Tuscan Pasta Chicken Piccata Coconut Crusted Mahi Mahi with Coconut Rice and Mango Salsa Grilled Steak with Parmesan Garlic Mashed and Wedge Salad Pan Fried Salmon with Brown Rice over Spinach and Snap Peas Peppy Shrimp Pasta Parmesan Crusted Chicken over Fresh Seasoned Rice Baked Chicken with Artichoke and Saffron Rice

Oreo Cheesecake Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes Bananas Foster with Ice Cream Banana Cream Cheesecake Karen’s Peanut Butter Delights Key Lime Pie Creme Brulee Texas Sheet Cake Strawberry Shortcake 

SHIP’S BAR

Vodka: Tito's Rum: Cruzan (3-4 Flavors, a Dark, and a Light) Bourbon: Bulleit Gin: Bombay Sapphire Tequila: Milagro Champagne: La Marca Prosecco Red/White Wine  ($12-$15 bottles typically): Josh, 19 Crimes, Apothic, Matua, Dark Horse, Oyster Bay Cordials: Grand Marnier, Espresso Vodka, Amaretto. Frangelica  Beers: ST. John Brewer's, Leatherback Brewery, Corona

Reviews for Blue Pepper with previous crew:

We are among one of the five couples that were recently in the BVIs on a sailing adventure aboard the Blue Pepper. You must know that The Blue Pepper experience, in EVERY way, was impeccable! The crew of Taylor, Denise and Liz were top notch. Together, they created a magical experience for us all. They worked tirelessly to make our sailing adventure relaxing and no detail was overlooked.

The boat was immaculately clean and beautiful! Denise’s absolute gift for preparing and serving delicious food was truly spectacular. We were blown away by her creativity and culinary skill. The crew were engaging, caring and their respect for the boat and their craft was most commendable.

I will most certainly recommend the Blue Pepper to our friends who are looking for an outstanding sailing adventure.

I just wanted to let you know how very impressed we were with Captain Taylor, Chef Denise and Liz. They absolutely MADE the trip for us.

The boat was immaculate and the attention to detail throughout the trip was amazing.

Denise's meals were spectacular - they were fresh, healthy and delicious - and the presentation was beautiful.

We felt like every meal came from a top tier restaurant - which was not something we expected.

Captain Taylor's easy-going Texas style made it seem like nothing was a problem - he put us at ease the entire trip - while we know he was in constant motion making sure that everything was perfect. And we LOVED Denise - so fun and personable! Liz was always there to make sure everything was presented just so.

The crew was fun - but also extremely professional and thorough. The Blue Pepper hosted 10 of us for a week - and it always looked like we had just stepped on board. I don't know how they did it. They set the bar for hospitality and service for any future vacations for us.

Larry N, aboard Catamaran Blue Pepper January 2020  sailing the Virgin Islands

We could not have asked for a better crew! They really surpassed our expectations. They were friendly, always in a good mood, very attentive to our needs. You can really tell Denis and Taylor are good, genuine people that love to take care of others and do so in the best possible way.

Blue Pepper was very comfortable! It had everything we needed. At first, we thought we were going to get on each other’s nerves because of proximity on the boat and being a family of 9 (6 adults and 3 kids). But the way it's built, with the different chilling areas, we did not feel that at all!

Taylor really made sure the boat was clean at ALL times, which is pretty impressive with the 3 kids running around and misplacing stuff the whole day (the adults too haha!). The boat was well ventilated, we had no issues with humidity at all. Favorite aspects of the yacht: the different areas for different occasions and weather (front of the boat while sailing, back when cooler / eating meals, roof in the morning when it's calm, having a coffee), the quality of materials (couches, wooding, appliances, etc.) and the spaciness of it all!

The food was amazing. Denise really put her heart into her cooking and you can taste it. For the most part, every food was prepared from scratch - something we did not think possible on a boat! The presentation was always impeccable, oftentimes adding a quirky touch for the kids, which they enjoyed. As for customization of the menu, Denise really did a good job at sensing what we liked to eat, in addition to dealing with multiple intolerances and special needs in our group (one has an allergy to yeast and black pepper, one is pescatarian, preference for healthy dishes, etc.). We cannot thank her enough for that!

The itinerary we did was perfect, in accordance with our preferences. We told the crew at the beginning of the trip what we liked to do (snorkeling, beach chilling, swimming, sailing) and they figured out what best itinerary to do. They chose well!

Booking with Sailing Directions was done simply and in a timely manner. It was booked last minute on our part and we appreciate all the arrangements that were made for our trip to go seamlessly.

Claire S, aboard Catamaran Blue Pepper April 2019  sailing the British Virgin Islands

The crew, Taylor and Denise were friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and accommodating during the trip.

Yacht Blue Pepper was very comfortable, clean and well ventilated, I really liked layout of the cabins and their comfort.

Food was great! The chef customized the menu to our preferences 100%!

Everybody loved the itinerary of the area that we sailed.

Hope to be back next year and sail with the same great CREW aboard Blue Pepper.

Jack C, aboard Catamaran Blue Pepper February 2019  sailing the British Virgin Islands

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Interested in Blue Pepper? Get in touch to learn more or book your vacation!

What yachting industry insiders have to say about Jeff Bezos' superyacht

• Jeff Bezos' yacht , which reportedly cost $500 million to build, completed its first year at sea.
• The superyacht, Koru, was a frequent topic of conversation at the Palm Beach boat show.
• Here's what industry insiders think about the vessel.

It's been just about a year since Koru, Jeff Bezos ' $500 million megayacht, set sail from the Oceanco shipyard in the Netherlands, capturing the attention of yachting insiders and land dwellers alike.

Even after her first season at sea, the 127-meter ship is still one of the most talked about vessels among those in the know — and not just for the busty figurehead on its prow, which many have wrongly speculated is based on Bezos's fiancée . Koru was a hot topic at the annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, where the yachts of other billionaires were on display for sale or charter.

The overwhelming response from those Business Insider spoke to was awe, with many praising her unique design, commenting on her immense size, or remarking that they'd been lucky enough to see her up close.

"It's absolutely beautiful," said Federico Rossi, the COO of luxury yachtbuilder Rossinavi.

Still, due to the small size of the industry — and the fact that privacy is paramount in the yachting community — even those who complimented Koru mostly did not want to go on record in order to protect professional relationships.

"That thing's amazing," one such superyacht expert told BI. "It's very well done in terms of craftsmanship."

Unlike many other megayachts, Koru, which media billionaire Barry Diller's Eos inspired, is designed as a sailing yacht. That bucks the current trend of more severe-looking explorer boats — though Koru's 75-meter support vessel Abeona is of a more typical style,

"I heard back in 2018 or something that somebody had ordered a classic sailing yacht," the superyacht expert also told BI. "You order 125 meters, that's not really going to be classic. But it is. I think it's pretty cool."

Like most other megayachts, Koru is powered by her engines, which are reportedly innovative in their use of a kinetic energy recovery system. Industry experts, therefore, pointed out that her sails are more for looks than anything else — but that still works in her favor, with many praising her overall aesthetic appeal.

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"It's stunning," added a captain who has worked on several megayachts. He said he'd seen Koru in St. Barts, a favorite spot of Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez , over the holidays.

"There are definitely uglier boats out there," one yacht architect said. "It's not like it's shaped like his rocket," he jokily added, referring to the phallic design of Blue Origin's New Shephard .

Some, though, think the yacht is a bit excessive — which is saying something in a world where bigger is better and $250 million is a normal amount to spend.

"That's over the top. That's an insanely ridiculous boat," a longtime broker who favors discretion said. It's a "whole big show."

And the expert who praised the yacht's craftsmanship balanced his admiring comments by saying Koru's liberal use of teak — a wood traditionally used for yacht decks — was "bizarre."

The material has gained a bad reputation in the industry in recent years, as it typically comes from Myanmar, a country with a checkered human rights record. Plus, it takes a long time to grow, leading to deforestation.

Many shipyards have now turned to alternatives, like bamboo or plantation-grown teak, in their pushes toward sustainability. Bezos' team did not respond to BI's question about the origin of the deck's wood.

Teak or not, the yachting industry isn't generally known for being all that environmentally friendly — or indeed lowkey, so many who BI talked to didn't buy into the idea that Koru is "too much."

"If this is genuinely Jeff's dream come true, then great," Anders Kurtén, the CEO of brokerage Fraser Yachts, said. "I'm genuinely happy for him, and I'm happy for the people who got the opportunity to have employment to work on that."

And Bezos, of course, isn't the only billionaire with a stunning yacht . Billionaires like Jerry Jones and Bernard Arnault have also, at times, turned heads with their boats.

Most recently, insiders have tied Mark Zuckerberg to a 118-meter ship named Launchpad . It's the latest superyacht to capture the yachting world's attention.

So, as she sets sail for her debut summer season, Launchpad may take Koru's place as the main yacht on everyone's radar this year.

Watch: Walmart heiress' superyacht vandalized by activists in Ibiza

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