Crazy’s Adventures

Season Is Almost Over

Just thought I’d give a little update, to stay somewhat active here until I find my beach bar. Owners came back onboard Mid January. We hung out in Naples for a while, then took a trip to the Key’s. Then to Bahamas, and we are now in W Palm Beach. We’ll head up the East Coast ending in Washington DC.

California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida

For my 4th cross country trip, we took the high route to see some new places. Left San Diego Monday morning. Stayed a night in Vegas at the Stadium Swim Circa Hotel. Great place!! Loved watching Football in the pool on a huge screen.

Trip Home To Get Jeep

My class reunion is coming up, so I schedule time off for that. Our Chef loves Paso Robles wine and says she wants to come too. After we booked this trip, the owners decided to come back to Naples for doctor appointments. They would arrive 6 days after we depart. So Joy and I were preparing the boat for their arrival. The night before we are to leave, the wife owner shows up unannounced! And here come the changes we were warned about last month. She takes us to dinner, we have a nice chat, but she doesn’t tell us what changes will be happening. I jokingly say…”Ummm, should I not be bringing my jeep all the way back?” She laughed and said, “No, you and Joy are good. We love you guys”.

Changes Could Be Happening

No job is perfect, there will always be something for someone to complain about. On this boat, the crew’s complaint is Owner’s Use. I came in at the tail end of their season, so I haven’t experienced how long it can feel. To me, working hard for 4 months and then having 8 months of light work, is nice. But I guess, it’s hard to find crew who are willing to live aboard on a boat that doesn’t get used for 8 months, and then having live aboard owners for 4. I guess the ideal situation is, owners that never live aboard, they only are on the boat when they are using it. Their use should be throughout the year for a few weeks at a time.

Down Time Can be Hard

It’s a Holiday weekend. All crew is off on Vacation, or Family Fun. I am here, alone, which is normal for me on a yacht. But when I was the only crew member, I ran the show, and had my list of things I wanted to accomplish, so I was busy. With 3 other crew members on this boat, that never gets used…It’s hard to stay busy.

Research Complete On Harbor Island

Rode Horses on the Beach, met a guy who looks like French Montana, hung out with he and his friends several times. Enjoyed the Princess Yacht Events which included a dock party with drinks and appetizers, a parade in which the yacht owners decorated their golf carts (primary mode of transportation here) and did a rehearsed skit for judges and spectators to see. Followed by a pool party with more food and drink. Then the most elaborate beach party I’ve ever seen. I’m tellin ya. If you are ever in the market for a yacht, princess takes care of their clients.

Beach party

They had live music, all kinds of food all day from breakfast til dinner. Any drink you wanted, Sea Bob reps were there with Sea Bobs we could use. Almost every kind of outdoor game available was there. Beach chairs, umbrellas, towels. Egg toss, horseback riding. I also understand that if your boat has any issues, let them know ahead of time, and they will fix it while you attend the event…for free (labor). We had a Kentucky Derby Party and finished with a Junkanoo.

When I would share my story of wanting to own a Beach Bar, almost everyone, including my owners mentioned the old Bar called Sip Sip, that sold a few years ago and has never reopened. I went and looked at it. It’s further off the white sandy beach, than I want, but it is the right size and has a residence upstairs. Further inquiry revealed that when the property sold, the seller had a clause in the contract that would not allow any commercial use of the property. That is why it has not been reopened. But I left contact information just in case that should change. I also met a yacht Manager who is in the business of connecting people and places. He said the Grenadine Islands have a great need for what I want to provide. He will keep his eyes open, I will research that, and we will see. Very productive first trip on this vessel.

Back in Florida, owners are gone until January. My work week consists of 3-4 hours a day M-Th. Can’t beat that! When I get my jeep here, I’ll be able to enjoy the whole West Coast of Florida!

Arrived In The Bahamas

We left Naples Thursday about 8:30pm. We brought an experienced Captain with us, as our current Captain has not navigated these waters on his own yet. Between the 2 Captains, the first mate and I, we rotated shifts driving. Took us 36 hours to get to Harbor Island. I was mentally exhausted upon arrival, then was physically exhausted after rinsing the yacht and washing the tender.

And…Owners Are Off

The owners left this morning for their home in Kentucky. All crew on deck to wish them safe travels. When the husband came up, we were all in the galley. He laughed and said “why does everyone look so happy? I guess…Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” We all laughed. Then wife came in and said about the same thing. They actually are going to stay in Kentucky long enough to give us some time to enjoy the Bahamas for a few days without them on board. I mean, what kind of owners do that? Plan their vacation around their crew. Amazing.

Can This Yacht Job Be Real?

I remember one of my arguments with GiGi owner. He said, you just need to get on a big yacht, with a crew, and see how well you have it. Well…

On GiGi, my day began at 6:45am and didn’t stop until my boss’ fun was complete. Sometimes that meant a 7 hour day sometimes it meant 14-15 hour days. Being the only crew member, I was responsible for everything. And, he considered a “day off” after completing my morning chores of 6 hours. Now I am #3 of the deck team on a boat twice the size. My day begins at 9am on deck. At 12:30 I get a one hour lunch break, then, I’m on deck for 1 more hour.

The Next Adventure

It turns out, the amount of hours I have to go to captains school is sufficient, however I counted all days on the vessels. I can only count days under way, so….back to deckhanding I go! I’m in Naples Florida on this beautiful beast. My first day of work I had to wash the whole thing down, by myself! Gigi took me about 4.5 hours, this took 9 and the Captain did the hull. In addition to this boat they have a 37ft tender, that needs washing as well.

That is the first mate of our crew and the Captain, they like to fish, so we tow that behind us when we travel. This seems to be an easy program, we have a start and a finish to our day. We have an hour lunch break and 2 breaks throughout the day. Our day of hard labor ends at 4pm, where we relax for 30, then I feed the doggies and take them for a walk. Come back, change into our blacks for dinner. Simply just be available if needed. We eat at 6:15 then I help the Chef clean up. The evening is mine until 10pm. I shut off certain lights and cover the outdoor furniture. Then, the next day, my day does not start until 9am! So weird and different from Gigi. The owners leave the boat for the summer in April, then it’s just the crew maintaining it until January when they return.

They like to go to the Bahamas and the Florida Keys and are considering a summer trip to Savannah Georgia…Ha Ha, it will be funny to run into Gigi there!

Cheers!