About Us

Our Vision

To provide you, your group, your clients or your family the best retreat or vacation ever!

Meet the Crew

We have put together an excellent crew, both boat crew and instructors,  who have the expertise to help your Retreat to be a success!

Lead Skipper Ross Lysinger

Ross was born in Newport, Rhode Island with salt air in his lungs since birth. He began sailing in Annapolis, Maryland when he was 6 years old and was winning at single hand racing by the age of 10. Throughout high school and college, he raced and cruised a wide variety of boats both as skipper and crew including his first week in the British Virgin Islands at 16.

While obtaining a B.S. in Marine Biology and a M.S. in Marine Science, he spent many days on board research vessels and hours underwater as a research diver.

With a 100 ton USCG masters license, he both skippered full time and delivered yachts throughout the western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Eastern Pacific. This included 6 years based in St, Thomas on a 72 ft ketch. As owner’s representative (Thomas J.Watson JR – owner) and Captain of Palawan (Little Harbor 75 ft custom sloop), he oversaw the construction and then sailed this yacht for 5 years with many high profile guests. He has also skippered motor yachts and commercial vessels to 150 ft. He enjoys taking guests to “secret spots,” helping them with understanding the marine environment and teaching as much sailing and navigation as his guests would like to learn. For the last 7 years, Ross has been operating his own charter businesses –  Active Cruising and Yacht Retreats –  specializing in niche yacht retreats and repeat private groups in The BVI, Cuba the Bahamas and other fantastic sailing locations around the world.

Lead Chef/Mate – Lauren “Ren” Bourgault

Ren will prepare you and your group delicious meals incorporating both her diverse Chef experiences and locally available provisions. She has served as Chef on both motor and sailing yachts up to 120 ft from the Caribbean to East Coast to California. In addition, she has been a chef in personal residences in Nantucket and worked as a Chef in Charleston, SC restaurants.

Her sailing and yachting experience includes over 50,000 sea miles from Alaska to Mexico, Maine to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

A sample of her Caribbean menu is here – Ren’s Menu

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