You’ve probably seen her entertaining and informative videos on social media but how much do you really know about her? We recently caught up with Captain Boomies to chat about her boating background and career in the marine industry. She’s ‘professionally salty’ and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Can you tell us about your boating background?
I was basically born on the water. My dad had me out there before I could crawl. At two I was taking swimming lessons and happily sinking to the bottom every time because I just loved the water and couldn’t be stopped. By 16 I was already a zinc-smeared, wind-blown, salty little brat teaching sailing and navigation to younger kids on progressively bigger boats every summer. So yeah, I grew up boating. I own a Bayliner Bowrider 185 that I gave a sparkle paint job to. She’s my baby.
What made you decide to get your captain’s license?
I was already operating many boats without a license doing deliveries and as an instructor. On private yachts you technically don’t need a full master license, but it lends a lot of credibility and insurance companies like to see it. Plus, it’s nice when someone asks, “are you really a captain?” and I can pull out the paper that says, ‘yup, Master of vessels.’
How did your boating career evolve?
I started at age 16 teaching sailing, and in my last year of college I got ‘tricked’ into running away to sea on a 103-foot yacht and never really looked back. I spent the next 15 years on private superyachts as crew, then captain, up to 150 feet, all over the world. I lived aboard, on the owner’s schedule. I did a couple of seasons of charter yachts; yes, just like the TV show, but with significantly less time between charters to goof off. It’s all the same emotions, but you just don’t have the time to express them. It’s a three hour turn around between charters, not three days. I missed a lot of holidays, birthdays, weddings. Eventually I decided I wanted to be home more, so I ‘retired’ from the full-time yacht life.
Now, I own, with my sister, a hair salon called, DryLand Salon in Baltimore, and we started a curly hair product called Windward Curl (are you sensing a theme?). I’m still a delivery skipper (often the very first captain to take brand-new yachts off the cargo ship in Baltimore and deliver them to Chesapeake owners). I do boat instruction, I create videos, host the Funny Boat Podcast, test boats for BoatTEST, I have a TV show called “The Yacht Life” on the Design Network, and present at boat shows. Basically, I turned “professionally salty” into a social media career where I still get to be on the water but also sleep in my own bed.
What is your favorite thing about working in the marine industry?
The people who are just as obsessed as I am with boats. But also the variety; one day I’m delivering a new yacht through the Bay in chop, the next I’m at a boat show geeking out over some wild new design or boat tech.
Favorite thing about the Chesapeake Bay?
“If the water was blue, nobody would want to boat anywhere else…” I don’t think I’m the first to say it, but it’s so true. There’s so much to do and see along the rivers and tributaries. It’s just protected enough to make a wide variety of boating possible, but you can still fly in a foiling catamaran in steady September breezes.
What advice would you give someone who is hoping to start a career in the marine industry?
Go work for a sailing school or ferry. It gets you the most exposure to the people who can teach you the ropes (haha).
Do you have a favorite powerboat you saw/tested in the last year?
I’m currently pretty obsessed with the Volare electric boat with foil assist. She’s got range because she gets out of the water and the added benefit of hitting wakes at speed without spilling your drink. Perfection! Oh, and I’m always a sucker for a Palm Beach. The quality and customizations are killer.
What is one thing about yourself that might surprise people?
Did you hear the part where I own a hair salon and have a curly hair product? I’m a real ingredient nut when it comes to products, so I tormented three different labs over five years to get it just right. We even brought it to the Annapolis Boat Show last year and had a booth where we were shampooing and styling all the curly hair we could! It was so wonderful to combine my love of boats and great hair!
Find her on social media @captainboomies and at captainboomies.com.