Gone Again

We have been married for 39 years, raised two daughters, and began sailing together in 2007. What started as taking our family day sailing and bareboating has progressed to us teaching classes, running charters, and providing yacht delivery services. Our goals for each sail are to have a well-cared-for crew and vessel, and to ensure that our students come away equipped with the knowledge needed to sail and manage their own boat. We have learned to sail as a team and look forward to teaching others to do the same aboard “Gone Again,” our 2019 Lagoon 42 catamaran!

Captain Jim is a retired United Airlines pilot who loves teaching. He holds a USCG Merchant Mariner OUPV and 25 Ton Masters credential, as well as ASA instructor certifications for teaching ASA 101 (Sailing Basics), 103 (Coastal Cruising), 104 (Bareboat Cruising), 105 (Coastal Navigation), 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising), and 114 (Cruising Catamaran Sailing).

Captain Bonnie had a career that began in the airline industry. While raising children, that career moved to office management and she eventually retired as an accountant. She holds a USCG Merchant Mariner OUPV and has completed her ASA 101, 103, and 104 courses. Her lifelong goal of owning a Bed & Breakfast along with her love for being on the water have combined to make her dreams come true!

We began our sailing education aboard a Beneteau 43 in the BVI with our two daughters. During that charter, our family not only learned to sail but learned to function as a crew. While Jim earned his ASA 101, 103, and 104 ratings at that time, we all enjoyed the beauty and excitement of the Virgin Islands and were bitten by the sailing bug. Upon returning home, we joined SailTime Chicago where we continued to gain sailing experience on Lake Michigan. After moving to Florida in 2014, we purchased our Jeanneau 379 (s/v Anchored in Hope) and sailed her around Florida for over six years until she was sold in January of 2022.

It was as a result of Covid that we decided to leave our previous careers in 2020. We then began working together as boat captains and now own and sail our Lagoon 42. As of January 2024 , we have moved aboard and are cruising the Bahamas and Caribbean Islands. We couldn’t have made a better decision. We truly enjoy this way of life and look forward to sharing it with others.

Sailing