Episode Summary: Welcome to another episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States! In this episode, host Bela Musits sits down with Charlie Kirchofer.  This is Charlie’s second time on the podcast.  In EP-133 we discussed his recent purchase of a 2022 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1.  In this episode we discuss hiring a captain to help Charlie and his partner move the boat from Annapolis to Boston.  Charlie has no offshore experience and we are reluctant to do such a long trip without experienced assistance onboard.

We took a deep dive on hiring a captain and here are some tips:

Ask Around: Word of mouth or referrals from local marinas or sailing friends can be your best source.

Have a Conversation: Get on the phone with the captain beforehand to make sure your sailing styles and goals align.

Set Expectations: Clarify responsibilities—will you be hands-on or just observing? Are you looking to learn or just get the boat moved?

Be Prepared: Make sure your boat is ready—fuel, systems checked, provisions in place. The captain isn’t there to do maintenance.

Watch and Learn: Use the opportunity to soak up knowledge. Experienced captains can show you how to manage conditions and make better decisions on the water.

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Happy Sailing!

Bela and Mike