CARIBBEAN SAILING VACATIONS
. . . With Cap'n Tom Kruse
Meet Cap’n Tom
I grew up in Southern California where my family had a sloop that we sailed every weekend. During the summers I worked in the boatyards and later crewed on the larger racing boats in the San Diego area and down the Baja Peninsula.
Around 1990 I began chartering in the Caribbean. For over 20 years I have captained charter boats for friends and clients in such places as St. Martin, St. Barts,
St. Eustatius, Saba, British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and
the Grenadines, as well as Florida and the Chesapeake Bay. I currently reside in Richmond, Virginia. 
“Sailing for me is much more than simply raising the sails and pulling on ropes. It's a way of communing with nature, being in harmony with the wind and water. When the breeze fills the sails, the sailboat dances across the water in an elaborate ballet. At the helm I feel like the conductor of an orchestra, directing a performance of nature’s artistry. Sailing feeds the soul.”
“Combine the joy of sailing with the beauty and diversity of the Virgin Islands, and first-time guests often experience sensory overload. It’s not unusual for them to have difficulty finding the right words to adequately describe their experience. It’s like your mind turns to mush…but what it means is…you had a really great vacation.”
"Learning the techniques of sailing is important, but of more significance is an understanding of the forces of wind and water. My education has come from many hours on different sailboats and reading the literature of those who have actually sailed the oceans. I taught myself celestial navigation using a sextant, and coastal navigation using a compass and paper charts, as well as using GPS technology. From my experiences, I have acquired a deep respect for the sea."
Personal Data
- Environmentalist concerned about the future of our oceans
- Author of several magazine articles about sailing and chartering in the Caribbean
- Married, and raised 7 teenagers without killing a single one
- Aficionado of good food and wine, and a pretty damn good chef
- Favorite daytime music: Jimmy Buffett
- Favorite nighttime music: Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Diana Kral
- I practice "safety first, fun second" sailing
- Non smoker
ENDORSEMENTS
"My family thoroughly enjoyed the week in the Virgin Islands. The way you took care of all the little details made everything go smoothly. I would certainly recommend your service to anyone. " . . . Mr. C. Dimino, New Jersey
"My husband and I were both impressed with your knowledge of sailing and your attention to safety. My kids can't wait to go again. And I would hire you just as a chef!" . . . Mrs. P. Demmert, Virginia
"The cruise was a surprise anniversary gift to my husband Brian. All I had to do was buy our tickets and get Brian on the plane. Captain Tom took care of all the rest, down to such details as how the eggs were cooked for breakfast. What a fantastic week of thrilling sailing and peaceful anchorages. It's hard to describe until you've experienced it yourself." . . . Brenda E., Ontario