crewed@visailing.com | (800)382-9666 | (941)966-9387
MAKIN MEMORIES - CREW BIO
Capt. Jim Travis
Jim grew up on the beaches of Delaware, spending much of his free time boating and playing on the local waters, fishing and surfing year-round. Local fishing, crabbing and clamming were a way of life growing up on the Delaware shores. Seafood feasts were a central part of his family’s customs and celebrations – and the beginning of Jim’s love for exploring the endless spicing and cooking combinations with seafood.
Jim spent his early adult years as a navigator on a minesweeper in the navy during the Gulf War, which, despite the obvious dangers this involved, reaffirmed his love for life on the water and ignited the beginnings of the dream to eventually transition to a full-time career on the water. However, following his career in the navy, Jim’s passion for food and cooking steered him in another direction and he spent the following 10+ years on the west coast in the Monterey Bay area developing and honing his skills in all aspects of the food industry food prepping, serving, and bartending in a variety of environments from eclectic coffee shops to fine dining establishments to large banquet catering events.
Jim is looking forward to sharing his love of the water and all the different ways you can explore the water from Makin’ Memories…from our paddleboards, to kayaks, to underwater SubLues, to snorkeling gear, to relaxing on our 360 floating dock, with your feet in the blue Caribbean water and one of Jim’s specialty cocktails in hand, letting all your worries float away!
Chef Courtney Travis
Courtney grew up in Maryland, boating along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, and spending many summers on Cape Cod, MA. She loved exploring Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Woods Hole, and the many islands and hidden beaches around Buzzards Bay. Whether boating, waterskiing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or sailing, playing in or on the water has always been Courtney’s happy place!
Her passion for food and cooking began early, leading her to work in various roles within the food service industry, including as a short-order cook, caterer, bartender, and server at 5-star restaurants. In 2009, Courtney deepened her exploration of the connection between food and nutrition, dedicating years to studying culinary and functional nutrition. In 2015, she became a Certified Culinary Nutrition Expert through the Academy of Culinary Nutrition in Ontario, Canada.
Courtney’s culinary expertise focuses on creating nutritious dishes crafted with the freshest local, organic ingredients. She takes pride in preparing meals that nourish the body with healthy, balanced foods while delivering unforgettable flavors that make your taste buds dance!
In addition to her culinary talents, Courtney has received minister credentials from the Universal Life Church, a non-denominational, non-profit religious organization. This allows her to officially perform the sacrament of marriage, helping couples celebrate their special day by officiating their weddings with warmth and joy.
Courtney and Jim
We met in our early 20’s and became roommates and best friends, bartending together at a local bar in Santa Cruz, CA. Our friendship was instant as we were both very young and a long way from home, but excited for the year-round warmth and endless opportunities to play outside, especially boating, sailing or surfing on the water. We loved working together bartending and providing exceptional service and memorable nights for our customers and friends at the bar. However, as with all things, life moved on and we lost touch over the years. It was over 20 years later when we finally reconnected. Once again, the connection was instant, and we were married 8 months later!
Our shared love for food, warmth, sunshine, boats, entertaining and any and all things water-related was an easy and natural pathway to a shared dream, which is now our reality, buying the boat of our dreams and living full-time in the gorgeous Caribbean waters, hosting memorable vacations and sharing all of our favorite passions in life with others!
We are excited to share this dream with you and your guests, to spoil your taste buds with our years of culinary experience, and to create memorable adventures sailing, swimming, snorkeling . . . and just allowing you to become fully immersed in the natural beauty and island-style pace of life!
We look forward to meeting and serving you….and Makin’ Memories that will last a lifetime!
crewed@visailing.com | (800)382-9666 | (941)966-9387