From C-Suite to the Sea

How did the idea of Chartering a boat in Charleston “come about”?

As I was approaching 55 and almost 30 years in healthcare administration under my belt, I began thinking about what was next. I always thought 65 was a good traditional retirement age but what if I could find another career earlier- one that shared my passion for the water. We had a Leopard catamaran at the time that we literally ran to as soon as we had time away from work. So the thinking continued.

We became friends with an owner of a charter sailboat next to us in the marina and he commented to my wife Kathy and I that we must love sailing as we were out most weekends unlike many boats that just sit at the marina. He encouraged me to get my captains license as he had the occasional need for a 2nd boat when he had larger parties. We did a few charters with him and liked it – so much so that we decided to make plans to hang up our suits, ties and stethoscopes (Kathy is an RN), and start going barefoot on a boat! I went from the C-Suite of running hospitals to the big blue sea and we set out to our 2nd career. We were going to start an exclusive sailing experience that wasn't available in Charleston.

Do you miss your "first" career?

Hospital work was all I ever wanted to do. I grew up around it. I actually liked the distinctive smell of hospitals from the time my dad, a surgeon, took me on rounds to see his patients. I even got to view one of his surgeries. I danced with med school but settled over at the business school, pursuing degrees in Managment, MBA and a Master in Health Administration. I really loved learning and pursuing improvements within the 4 hospitals I helped run or ran as CEO over 32 years. But, isn't 32 years of doing something enough? Shouldn't we pursue alternate careers as some point, particularly when you have reached your career goal? That's where I was at anyway.

When did your sailing journey start?

I grew up in Bradenton Florida and was always around the water- swimming, surfing, boating and fishing. I jumped on my first sailboat when I was 12. It was a 8ft Pram sailboat made for 1.5 people or 2 kids-think floating bathtub with a single sail and rudder (and a cup for bailing water when needed). My parents bought it because it was cheap and safe as it had no moving propellers! I was excited, cautious and exhilarated all at the same time for my first sail. I immediately loved the natural power of the push of the wind and figuring out how not to stall, not tip over and how to go faster. My sisters rarely went with me as I was self taught at the time. That was 45 years ago and while I enjoyed and owned power boats as well over the years, I always loved the natural, raw push of the wind over sail. After college and a 32 year career in healthcare administration, it wasn’t time to retire but rather “re-wire” and see if I could combine my love of sailing into a business. Enter Everything Zen Sailing Charters, a sailing company that would offer comfortable, stable, owner captained/crewed and exciting afternoon and sunset sails in and around Charleston Harbor. Time for a boat upgrade.

What kind of boat is “Everything Zen”

She is our second home (or floating condo as we call it) as we live onboard when we travel. She is a Leopard 40 sailing catamaran (40 ft long and 22 ft wide) , made in South Africa in 2017. Leopard is the #1selling brand of catamaran in the US and is known for its sturdy construction, innovative open design layout and ease of sailing for its size. Practically 50% of Leopards get bought by charter companies all over the globe but mainly in the windy Caribbean. Charter guests are on and off these boats constantly, some serving as their own captain, so you know they can take it. Leopard was the first to introduce the “front door” to the bow area. This is a game changer for airflow and walking through the cabin. I liken it to the open kitchen great room concepts in houses over the last 25 years-it brings people together on a boat like never before and is much safer than having to walk down the side of the boat to get from the back of the boat to the bow/front. Most experienced sailors can sail this boat single handed as all of the lines and controls are right at the helm station which means I don’t have to leave the wheel to adjust the sails or call on added help. Many much smaller boats require at least one crew member in addition to the captain in order to sail.

Have you traveled on Everything Zen outside of Charleston?

Yes, we have made several longer trips on our boat- travelling from Cancun to Charleston when we bought her in 2021. On that first trip, we sailed 1,450 nautical miles to the Dry Tortugas, then Key West, a detour to see family in Tampa, then back to the Florida Keys, Miami and into the Gulf Stream conveyor belt back to Charleston. What a way to break her in. We have also sailed to and from the Bahamas. We once got to the Abacos Bahamas from Charleston in 60 hours and only used 15 gallons of diesel. Another benefit of sailing! The sailing was great, even though some of our crew had some early seasickness. We we were able to catch some fish along the way. Still, that swim in the Bahama waters as soon as we got there was way better than the journey. To me, keeping our crossings to 2-3 days is plenty as I’m not sure we can keep our crew (ie. Family and friends) motivated much longer than that. We don’t want a mutiny at sea nor do I trust the weather forecast for more than 3 days out. We have learned you can’t travel on a schedule when sailing across oceans. We have delayed or accelerated our sailing dates, sometimes at the last minute, very often based on weather forecasts. Got to pick your window!

What’s it like 250 miles offshore as you are travelling under sail in the ocean? Have you faced any scary situations offshore?

There’s no where to anchor in 500 plus feet of water so you have to keep going. But, besides a Canadian battleship that showed up on radar once (I was surprised too) and some pretty bad rain storms (we call them squalls when they are over the ocean), not too much out of the ordinary. We have seen some short 10-15 minute busts of 55 mph winds and lightening during some of those storms. We can see them coming and lower the sails and motor into the wind and waves until they pass. Hard to time them and out run them in our experience. We consistently get small finch like birds land on our boat during crossings. They will come land on your finger or shoulder and seem to be tired and looking for a free ride but sometimes they don’t make it. Offshore is generally a lot of lounging and not much of anything, rarely seeing another ship. Occasional fish bite, or wind kick up or dolphin pod on our bow is a welcome sight, but nothing compares to Kathy’s meal at sea-always a high point. We do 4 hour shifts at the helm controls at night and will usually have at least 4 people on board for any crossing greater than 36 hours, but usually have 6 on board. Safety equipment onboard is a must-we have radar, with alarm capability, as well as a satellite phone, Automatic Identification System (ship transponder and identification), texting transponder, emergency sos locator (epirb), and emergency life raft.

Catamaran or Monohull Sailboats…..which is better?

What a fun debate this is for sailors. I personally haven’t met a floating sailboat I didn’t love! But, the beach Hobie Cats I’ve owned made me fall in love with the catamaran platform. I love the leverage and stability that the 2 hulls produce. They are generally lighter and faster than monohulls and larger cats certainly don’t heel (tippy tippy) as much. At 22ft wide, our 40ft boat is about twice the square footage of a similar sized traditional monohull and you don’t have to go “down below” to get to the salon/as its on the same level.

What are those aha moments you have had with this new venture?

Wow, so many. I always wanted to be in healthcare for as long as I can remember. With my dad being a physician and my mom a nurse I was naturally drawn to the hospital. I worked in hospitals from the time I was 16, but I had this opportunity and didn’t look back.

3 big revelations since we have started Everything Zen Sailing: 1) The Sea: Everyone is happier on a boat-5 star reviews are the norm. Even if the hospital caregivers and processes and technology literally saved a patient’s life, a 5 star review was not a guarantee. A patient is not there by choice and recovery can be trying at best. Turning the boat from Fort Sumter to the Battery into the setting sun, with the wind blowing onto our port side sails……8 knots of boat speed….aha moment every time. Just magic. 2) Relationships: Meeting travelers and locals that have a love of the water like we do is awesome. Some have not been on a boat our size and many have not sailed without motors so to show them that sailing is not witch craft or “hard” is the bomb. Sharing the lore of Charleston Harbor is an extra bonus. We love our city and feel privileged to call it home. Collaborating with the local sailing and tourism community has been very supportive for us as well. 3) Time: Setting our own schedule and wearing logo t-shirts and shorts to work makes us feel lucky. I have an adult autistic son that lives with us and it helps to have more flexibility in our schedule.

Check us out at https://everythingzensailingcharters.com