Author: PaulJ

In 2021 I volunteered as a crew member to deliver a Leopard 45 from Ft. Lauderdale to Bocas del Toro Panama, via Mexico and the Cayman Islands. I had raced out of Annapolis MD for 20+ years, and was looking to buy my own boat, so figured volunteering as crew on a delivery was a great way to learn the ropes of cruising. I was fortunate that Captain Rich was the hired captain for the voyage. Before the trip began we spent two weeks adding Starlink, improving the anchor system, provisioning, and performing several other prepatory tasks. Captain Rich with was an incredible 'handy man' for various projects, but was invaluable when we found that holes had eaten thru the mainsail and needed to patch them prior to departing. Captain Rich was also incredibly knowledgable, and detailed, in his planning to ensure a safe passage, but was also constantly monitoring things. While underway he saw a storm with forecasted 50+ knot winds coming thru the Gulf of Mexico and West of Cuba, so Captain Rich came up with a safe haven to hide out in Mexico, and stayed up all night with engine running on watch, just in case we pulled the anchor. When I get a bigger boat, and feel the need to have a more experienced captain, I would definitely hire Captain Rich for the job. Not only does he know how to captain, he also makes amazing bread and delicious blueberry muffins.