Are you considering buying a boat, or have you just purchased your dream yacht?
Where do you go to get suggestions about which boat to buy? Who do you call to ask questions about the survey? Do you want an independent and unbiased opinion on the boat’s condition? How do you get your boat from where you bought it to your home port? Who will train you on the operation and maintenance of your boat? When you are just starting, how do you learn about Cruising essentials?
The answer to all of these questions is “Ask Captain Chris!”
Captain Chris Yacht Services
Chris and Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services have been educating and serving the Cruising and Looping community since 2006. They provide a wide range of services specifically geared toward the boating community.
Chris and Alyse, known as “Ask Captain Chris,” are your trusted guides for all things boating. They provide services ranging from beginner education to purchase assistance and hands-on training on your boat.
Background and Qualifications
Both Chris and Alyse are USCG-licensed 100-ton Masters with years of experience serving off-shore oil rigs in the Gulf, as Water Taxi Captains in busy Baltimore Harbor, and as Yacht Delivery Captains for some of the major cruising boat manufacturers. They are experienced Liveaboard boaters, having lived aboard their Gulfstar 44 for over 20 years.
They hold many certifications, including towing, personal survival techniques, DAN, Oxygen First Aid for SCUBA Injuries, Fire Fighting, and Basic Medical Emergency training.
They have provided hands-on training to hundreds of boaters in the basics of cruising, navigation, safe boat operation, anchoring, vessel maintenance, locking, and many other cruising essentials.
Through their frequent courses, seminars, and videos, they have reached thousands of boaters. They hold frequent seminars at their Vero Beach, Florida, location and are regular speakers and seminar instructors at AGLCA conferences and major boat shows such as FLIBS, Trawlerfest, and the Palm Beach International Boat Show, to name but a few. They are also regular contributors to Passage Maker and Southern Boating magazine.
Consulting Services
With his extensive experience in almost every type and brand of cruising vessel, Chris can be your go-to person when you are considering purchasing a vessel. From selection to evaluation, Chris provides an independent, unbiased view of the vessel BEFORE you make the purchase. Boaters from around the country considering a boat purchase in Florida will frequently engage Chris to take an initial look at a vessel to ensure that it’s worth the time and expense of visiting in person.
Once a boat is selected, Chris can interpret the Marine Survey and provide valuable insight into its condition and ongoing maintenance costs. With his extensive mechanical background, Chris assists boaters through their boating adventures by troubleshooting issues or advising on major repairs. Even when underway, we’ve picked up the phone and “Asked Captain Chris!”
Delivery and On-Board Training
Learning to safely operate and maintain your boat is essential to keeping the Pleasure in “Pleasure Cruising”. There is no better way to learn than hands-on with your own boat. Chris and Alyse will join you onboard your boat to train you in the safe operation, navigation, anchoring, and docking of your vessel.
They will also cover maintenance and emergency situations and share tips and tricks on everything from storage and galley tips to pets on board, drawing on their many years of experience as liveaboards.
If you just need to get your boat from point A to B, you can also count on them to deliver your vessel safely.
Classes, Seminars, and Videos
Captian Chris is an industry leader in Boater Education with 1,000s of satisfied students.
Hands-On Classes
Captain Chris holds regular classes at his beautiful Vero Beach, Florida location. These in-depth, hands on two day courses provide new boaters with the knowledge they need to feel confident in starting their boating adventure.
- Cruising 101 FUNdamentals – A great introduction to cruising for the new boater. This course taught by both Chris and Alyse, covers everything to boat selection, navigation, anchoring techniques, docking, crew communication, vessel communication, line handling, galley tips, safety aboard, weather, and trip planning. This is an excellent jump-start for anyone planning on cruising America’s Great Loop!
- Intro To Boat Systems – Properly maintaining your boat and dealing with the inevitable breakdowns that arise will make your cruising adventures safer and more enjoyable. Whether you do it yourself or hire a mechanic, understanding the basics of how your engine and boat systems work is key. In this hands-on course, Chris covers Electrical systems (both AC and DC), fuel filters, cooling systems, pumps & impellers, shaft seals, propellers & running gear, bilge pumps, plumbing & black water systems, and air conditioners. You can even add on an optional boat yard tour where Chris will point out the differences between the many types and styles of boats at a working boat repair yard.
Check their website for current course schedules and to register!
Book early! Class size is limited, and classes fill up quickly!
These two classes are usually offered on subsequent dates so that you can take both with a single trip to Vero Beach. When Brenda and I first started boating, we attended both classes and contracted with Captain Chris for onboard training when we brought our boat home. Moving from a 26-foot day boat to a 42-foot trawler, Chris’ classes and training were the most valuable experience in our boating career, giving us the knowledge and confidence we needed. (Note: By showing that we had received hands-on training, we were able to get a discount on our marine insurance!)
Seminars
Captain Chris Yacht Services has been a long-time sponsor and guest speaker at the AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association) rendezvous. He and Alyse also exhibit, teach seminars, and are guest speakers at Trawlerfest and other major boat shows on the East Coast. They provide seminars on Cruising the Great Loop, Cruising the ICW, Maintenance, Anchoring, Galley Tips, Marine Surveys, and more!
Watch for their upcoming seminars on their website.
Video Series
If you can’t attend a class or seminar, Captain Chris has a video series teaching many aspects of cruising. These enjoyable videos teach valuable skills through discussion and videos of actual onboard training. They are available for Rent/Buy on Demand Streaming and as DVDs.
Topics include:
- Finding The Perfect Boat
- Anchoring with Confidence
- Bridges with Confidence
- Docking with Confidence
- Locking with Confidence
- Navigation Made Easy
- RACOR Diesel Fuel Filters
- Galley Tips
- A series on cruising the inland waterways from Clifton to Chattanooga, TN.
- And several vessel-specific videos covering Cruisers, Trawlers, and Power Catamarans.
Check out the complete list of available videos on the Captain Chris Website.
A True Cruising Advocate!
In addition to Brenda and I, we know many couples who have begun their cruising adventure with Captain Chris and Alyse. They are true advocates of the Cruising Lifestyle and have assisted many boaters in having safe and enjoyable adventures on the water. They are a regular, down-to-earth couple that we would be happy to host on our boat any time. We highly recommend Captain Chris Yacht Services.
Captain Chris will be a contributing writer to The Clever Boater, watch for his articles!
Contact Information
Captain Chris Yacht Services, LLC
Website: CaptainChrisYachtServices.com
Phone: 772-205-1859
Email: ch***@***********************es.com
YouTube: @AskCaptainChris
Facebook: TrawlerTraining
Articles by Captain Chris
- Plan Your Dream
Boat-buying tips at a boat show - Engine Temp Scan
- Wash and Go
A Clean Bottom Improves Speed and Efficiency. - Check Your Cutlass Bearing
Maintenance is essential to keep the propeller running smoothly. - Anchoring in the Bahamas
Tips to safely anchor without disrupting your surroundings
