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📅 Wed, 6pm CT 8/20/25
📍 Live on @SaltyAbandon (FB, IG, X) + @SVSaltyAbandon (YouTube)
▶️ Playlist & past episodes: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyPodcastPlaylist

Dive into the fascinating world of luxury yachting with Hugo Ortega, a 500-ton Superyacht captain, mentor, and the new bosun on Below Deck Season 12. In this candid conversation, Hugo reveals his unlikely journey from dissatisfied engineer to commanding multi-million dollar vessels, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain of an industry that caters to the world's ultra-wealthy.

Hugo shares the pivotal moment when, feeling trapped in his corporate engineering job, a chance encounter with a yacht crew member in Thailand completely transformed his career trajectory. This meeting sparked what would become a remarkable maritime journey, eventually leading to his founding of Superyacht Sunday School – a platform dedicated to helping others break into the yachting industry without making costly mistakes.

The economics of luxury yachting are nothing short of staggering. With weekly charter rates starting around $200,000 for a 180-foot yacht (before fuel, food, and extras), clients willing to spend upwards of $300,000 for a single week's vacation expect nothing less than perfection. Hugo details how crew members benefit from this lavish industry, potentially earning thousands in tips alongside their base salaries, while navigating the unique challenges of living in close quarters and catering to extraordinary requests – from flying in $25,000 meat orders to arranging impromptu carnivals complete with fire breathers.

For sailing enthusiasts, Hugo offers valuable insights on how skills from the superyacht industry transfer to private sailing ventures and charter businesses. His engineering background proved unexpectedly valuable in his maritime career, highlighting how diverse experiences can strengthen one's sailing journey. Whether you're dreaming of working on luxury vessels, starting your own charter business, or simply enhancing your sailing skills, Hugo's practical wisdom and entertaining stories provide both inspiration and actionable guidance.

Ready to explore if the yachting lifestyle might be right for you? Or curious about the real differences between Below Deck and actual superyacht operations? This episode delivers honest, expert perspective on an industry few truly understand. Subscribe now and join our community of passionate sailors and maritime enthusiasts charting their own unique courses.

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SALTY ABANDON: Cap'n Tinsley, Orange Beach, AL:
Oct 2020 to Present - 1998 Island Packet 320;
Nov 2015-Oct 2020; 1988 Island Packet 27
Feb-Oct 2015 - 1982 Catalina 25

SALTY PODCAST is LIVE every Wed at 6pm Central and is all about the love of sailing!
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