Yacht for Charter
SAIL AWAY

Summer Season crew aboard SAIL AWAY

now through October, 2021 and Spring Summer 2022

Captain Sheldon Lindsay

Sheldon is a qualified RYA Ocean Yacht Master Commercial endorsed with over 400,000 nautical miles under his belt. He has sailed in all the oceans of the world. Started sailing at the age of 8 on dinghy competing at various regatta's. In his late teens, Sheldon began sailing at Royal Cape Yacht club for many years racing on various keel boats. He is a qualified diesel mechanic. He also judged World Cup wind surfing for a couple of years and is good all-around water sportsman. Sheldon is a good teacher and will get you up on the wake board or ski's with his coaching. He has lots of stories to tell of his many ocean crossings of the world including scrapes with pirates and Cape Horne. Anything on the water comes naturally to him having grown up in Cape Town, South Africa were surfing and sailing is a year round experience. Being involved with the ocean, diving, surfing and sailing is his life.

Chef Vanessa Bush

Nessie, as everyone calls her, started chartering in the Caribbean in the 1980's and then went on to circumnavigate the world on a 40 foot steel boat. She is a chef with years of experience in boat catering and in villas in Europe specializing in Italian/French and Caribbean cuisine. She has over 100,000 nautical miles under her belt, ran the galley at the well known Atlantic Boat Club in Cape Town. Also spent her time raising children, running the local pony club and eventing on her horse whenever she had the time while running her late husband’s fishing business. After that started chartering in various parts of the world with Sheldon experiencing different cultures and cooking experiences.

Both Sheldon and Vanessa have open water dive and advanced first aid certificates. They enjoy entertaining and meeting new people from all parts of the world, having chartered in the Caribbean the Med and Thailand and sailed the Pacific.

Warm and friendly, Captain Mike and Chef Lesley Blamey will spoil you with true South African hospitality. From the moment you step aboard, you will feel at home in the comfortable and beautifully appointed Sail Away. They grew up together, in the Sub Tropical coast of KwaZulu Natal, and the ocean and watersports have always been a big part of their life. They traveled extensively meeting new people and making friends around the world, and enjoying the cultures and cuisines of the world, and decided that once they sold their National Transport Company, and the children had graduated and left home they would pursue a more relaxed lifestyle sharing their love of the ocean, water sports, traveling, meeting new people, enjoying their cultures and cuisines and making new friends.

Mike is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster with over 50,000 sea miles under his belt. Together they have sailed and explored the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It gives him great pleasure to assist a total novice in getting up and sailing with a little guidance and encouragement. He is also a qualified Padi Dive Master, and will happily assist certified divers on planning their dives and accompany them as their guide. As an accomplished water-skier, and surfer he will soon have you up and riding on your water sports of choice. He is very competent in maintaining and running all aspects of his yacht. His warm and giving personality, love of life, sense of humor and honesty make him a great captain to sail with. His "generous" barman's skills and great tales will have guests laughing into the night. He's also a great DJ.

Lesley is a certified diver, and with 45000 sea miles logged is also proficient at the helm and in all crew aspects.

A great cook - who's skills in the galley will delight you. Her wonderful cuisine, reflects favored dishes from around world, varied and beautifully presented. A true Piscies, you'll find her in the water as as much as on it. She will happily take you on guided snorkeling safaris, pointing out all the varied corals and fish found in the beautiful Caribbean waters. She is a natural earth mother, who enjoys children, is fun, easy going, helpful and resourceful. She will happily play surrogate "granny" to the kids, keeping them entertained and happy while you enjoy a scuba dive or a visit to one of the fabulous beach bars or restaurants on the islands. From the moment you board Sail Away she will make you feel relaxed and at home, while making sure your every need is attended to. Mike and Lesley have been happily married for 40 years. Their friendship, respect and happiness together makes them a great team, and they look forward to giving you a holiday of a lifetime.

Originally from Queensland, Australia, chef Lisa Mead has spent the past 25 years cooking between Australia, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. She has created epicurean delights for all walks of life including royalty, heads of state and celebrities on board luxury yachts, in 5 star villas and restaurants. In addition to her time spent living in South East Asia, where she gained valuable experience with the local cuisine, if asked Lisa would describe her cooking as global, pulling from different cultures, using only the freshest of ingredients.

Currently Lisa is being filmed in her own cooking show as chef and host of a series titled: "Galley Gourmet With Chef Lisa".

Marie was born in the Dominican Republic. In her teenage years she moved to Italy where she studied languages. She worked as interpreter/translator along with Web Marketing. Marie also loved cooking part time in restaurants, where she found herself in tune with her soul and real nature.

In 2010 she totally revolutionized her life by changing profession and started cooking on yachts in the US and British Virgin Islands. Now she is a professional Chef, graduated with Merit from the Ashburton Chefs Academy in Devon, England.

Marie is a superstar in the galley specializing in tasty Italian, European, North America, and Spanish Caribbean cuisine with a flair for unique presentation and gracious service. She gives her best when inspiration launches her at new “Marie’s Creations”, which are very original, tasty dishes, result of a passionate research into new ways to satisfy the most refine palates.

Marie has a passion for client service detail and loves to deliver those special touches that bring smiles to all her guests. You will be asking for her amazing recipes when you reluctantly leave Marie's kitchen. She speaks English, Italian, Spanish and French but is best versed in the language of excellent service and tasty fun.

Fan Mail from guests aboard catamaran SAIL AWAY in late January, 2022 -

Early December, 2021 SAIL AWAY guests in the BVI wrote:

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Captain Speedy, Ms. Speedy and Chef Kim! What a spectacular week we have had. I can honestly say we have never been so cared for and catered to!
We have LOVED our time with you – You are special people and now lifetime friends!
Love Alison and Martha

Mike, Lesley and Kim,
Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough to express my gratitude for all you did to make this week so special. Muffy is the most loving hostess that took such great care of us. Kim, master chef, meal after meal. Simply incredible!! Mike, Mike, Michael, Big Mac. For a guy you have very sweet energy, ha ha! We all appreciated your thoughtfulness in getting us to just the right spots. But remember to slow down 😊 I don’t think your dancing improved over the week! Kim, I can still make room in my bag for you! ❤️
Thank you again, you all truly are extraordinary in so many ways. I think I’m in love with you all. Happiest of holidays.
Sharon and Nickel

Thank you Mike, Lesley and Kim for making our dream trip come true in every way. Your kindness, enthusiasm, and humor made this trip a very personal experience. Also you each have exceptional knowledge and skills that made us very safe and cared for.
Every day was special for us. Thank you for taking us to all those special spots so we could immerse ourselves in the beaty of the BVI.
Kim, your meals were incredible.
Lesley, you cared for us as though we were your family.
Speedy Mike, you are captain extraordinaire!
Than you thank you thank you. A special thanks for Carolyn’s birthday party. We hope to see you again.
With love and gratitude,
Fabia and Carolyn

Guests aboard SAIL AWAY in the BVI in early March, 2021, wrote:

We recently spent 10 days aboard Sail Away with Colleen and Peter Lauber. The experience from beginning to end was seamless and transporting. First, our charter broker arranged the charter and facilitated travel plans and navigating the BVI Covid restrictions/requirements. That was a great help! The BVI are VERY Covid safe by the way. Once you do the required paperwork and testing it is fabulous to be here. So don’t let that stop you from coming!!

We met Colleen and Peter at the Cay, a short ride from the airport, and off we went. We had 4 days of on-boat quarantine and, really, who could complain about beautiful bays, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking etc?! After a day 4 test and subsequent test result we hit land for our first on shore activities.

Colleen and Peter, our hosts on Sail Away, were EXCELLENT in every way. They are both highly experienced sailors and know every corner of (and almost everyone in) the BVI. They took incredible care of us from charting our trip, arranging activities, and preparing delicious meals. Colleen clearly did a ton of preparation to be able to prepare gourmet dishes with ease for a group that also included gluten free vegans. And they were funny, fun, and overall great to get to know.

Oh and Sail Away is gorgeous. No need for me to say more - JUST GET HERE.

Carla - New York, USA

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The Dunnings, a mid-March charter aboard catamaran SAIL AWAY, wrote:

Mike and Lizzy, Thank you for a perfect week! You are both so much fun. We loved getting to know you. We hope to see you again X Angela

Mike and Lizzy, Thank you for the most wonderful trip we could imagine. Your hospitality and friendly attitude were most appreciated. We feel we have made friends for a lifetime. Mark

Mike, Lizzy & Lisa – Thank you for such a fun week in paradise! I truly enjoyed your company and you delicious food. I don’t think this trip can be topped! Sally

Mike, Lizzy & Lisa, What a way to spend my last ever Spring Break! I couldn’t have imagined a better week. You guys made everything perfect! I’m so happy to have met ya’ll. I wish you guys all the best! Syd

Mike, Lizzy & Lisa, This trip was truly the most wonderful time I have ever had! The food was spectacular and the company of ya’ll being here even better! I do hope I get to see you all again one day and I wish you all the best! Dooley

Mike & Lizzy, Thank you for an amazing week full of fun and wonderful memories. You were both so sweet! Nicole

Mike & Lizzy, Fun with the state the world is in, you guys made sure that paradise stayed as is. I can't put into words how much I’ve enjoyed myself so I will just leave you guys with a thanks and a 😊 Ward

Mike, Lizzy and Lisa, We can’t thank you enough for your hospitality and willingness to go along with all the family pranks! Thank you for not just doing your job but making us feel so welcomed. Remember to always live the life you love and love the life you live! 

Hugs and kisses

Steve and Monica

THANK YOU! Heaven on earth, treated as royalty, fed like a queen & king, most delicious food and crew who made us experience honestly the trip of a lifetime. 

Lisa and Bill

You know you’re an exceptional captain, first mate and chef when your passengers feel like you were part of their family…and I feel like I’ve known you for a long time! You guys are the BOMB! I’ve never felt so pampered. Miss you already! 

Cheers. Jan

Like Jerry said – one of the best out of 15 or 20 trips. Thanks. - Karl

Fabulous week! I believe in salt water soaks and sunshine! Thank you for the beautiful memories. - Dan & Sharon

There’s no words to describe how very wonderful this trip was – as the Captain said “Randy grew younger this week!” We are family now! - Melissa & Randy

Great time! So beautiful! Thanks for the great party – best party ever! Don’t want to go home! - Val & Jerry

I had a blast! Thanks for everything. - Frank

Awesome time! Don’t want to leave. - Brandon

Incredible experience. Crew was exceptional!  - Tomas

Best trip ever – you all are wonderful. - Elizabeth

So much fun! Love you guys. Thank you for the great memories. - Janice

Dear Sail Away and Crew, 

Thank you for a remarkable and amazing experience! 

Lots of love - Jenny

Thank you so much for the wonderful vacation! - Luisi

Thank you so much for all the attention and amazing places you took us. Best vacation! Love - Gigi

I didn’t realise the impact this experience had on me until departure where the emotions were overwhelming. Trip of a lifetime! - Renee

Late June, 2019, guests aboard SAIL AWAY wrote:

Message for the broker : I have no words (which everyone will tell youis unusual for me J)!  The guests had a fabulous time on SAIL AWAY.  The comments keep coming. 

“The crew was amazing and Christine was just incredible.  We ate likekings all week.  Claire and Xavier were so nice and wonderful.  Thevacation was amazing!  We loved every minute of it....the best vacation ever”.

 “It was incredible!  I’m readyto look for next year.  Call me!”