WELL DONE……you found us....Or I have found U …..Help us escape from the Australian winter.
G’day sailors and dream catchers
Help us escape from the Australian winter.
We are looking for more and more experience and miles on the waters, or around water.
Also, looking for a memorable time and new friends of course.....
But genuinely looking for as much experience as possible before we dive into the world of expensive catamarans
We recently owned a sailing 29 foot Spencer monohull, which we have worked out the simple aspects of sailing around our local area.
We have also hired 50 ft catamarans from The Whitsundays (Australian great barrier Reef ) a couple of times .....self skippered.
I have also had experience with night watches .... I have done some passages...
Melbourne to Jervis Bay......... Tahiti and surrounding atolls......... Vanuatu to Brisbane.
I have recently completed my Australian Coxwains certificate, (Commercial licence up to 40 ft) but let's just say I have all the tickets but not all the experience.....I still consider myself a Deckhand.
I also have completed RYA Day skipper and marine radio licence, But don't tell anyone:)
We live in little coastal town in Australia NSW (Batemans Bay) and all types of boating/water activities has always been a huge part of our lives.
We are very flexible with dates as we are self-employed in Australia.
We are more than happy to pay for our self’s to get to you.
Catherine ( Cat) my wife
She is very vibrant as you will see....... I take her everywhere with me to entertain everybody, so as I can do the disappearing ninja after my 2 drinks......
But seriously ..... Cat is very very social, energetic health conscious and down to earth, …….blends in anywhere.
As for me, I can be social when need be, but happy to sit and stare at the ocean.
I'm always (always) willing to help and inquisitive.....I dont need entertaining….. I can always find something to do to make the next day a bit easier for everyone , on or off the boat….. maybe not after 15 days at sea on a ocean crossing.,…. Time will tell?
We both like cooking and a vino/s .....no problem
And both come from a hospitality background before we were self-employed.
We both owned and operated a local water sports business teaching water-skiing wakeboarding and tube rides about 10 years ago and working with local tourism.
In our younger years we have had a lot of experience in the hospitality industry.
We have been married/together 27 years with two children, 19 old boy and 23 old girl that are now capable of looking after themselves ……so now we can look forward to the next chapter...... Hopefully one-day sailing around Australia then French Polynesia/Indonesia..... That's this week's dream anyway .....depends on the winds of course.
I am 49 years young (Most Days), my wife is 43.....financially independent and pay our own way.
I weigh 97kg and my wife is 70 kg...... Catherine is very fit ..... I'm more like a tractor on one piston…..I get the job done :)
We are very Tidy.....Im bit of a clean freek.... I will clean your boat good, no problem.
No problem for me to tell you the rest of our story on the phone and you can tell me yours.
Possibly Chat soon.
Good fortune to you all.
Jacob & Catherine Castagna
0416 330 796 Australia
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Top-tier crew and future Skipper – Highly Recommended
Jake joined us for two major legs of our Pacific crossing in late 2023: first from the Marquesas to Tahiti via the Tuamotus, and later for the long passage from New Caledonia to Brisbane. For someone who humbly claims to "still be a deckhand," he carries himself with the competence and proactive nature of a seasoned sailor. He is incredibly independent, mechanically inclined, and skilled at every task thrown his way. Jake mentioned in his profile that he’s a bit of a "clean freak"—and he wasn't joking! He was always looking for ways to "make the next day easier for everyone" on or off the boat, and his attention to detail kept things running smoothly throughout our time together. What truly sets Jake apart, however, is his unwavering positive attitude. Regardless of the conditions or the length of the passage, he is always in a good mood and a total pleasure to have in the cockpit. He is a natural "mood-setter" for a crew and handles night watches with total reliability and a calm head. He has a very clear path toward becoming a great Skipper himself one day (ideally on that catamaran he’s dreaming of!). We have no doubt he’ll be a top-tier captain. If you have the chance to have Jake on your manifest, take it—any boat would be lucky to have him. Cheers for the miles, Jake!
30th Mar 2026