Member Musings: Marinalife Magazine

Department: Member Musings Published: January 2010 in Marinalife Magazine, Winter Issue.

Member Musings: Rick Topel
Living the Dream Life While Captaining
Marinalife Member Since: 2007

What about boating and captaining keeps you coming back for more?
“While I was always interested in boating and the water it was not until I moved to St. Croix for a sales job for a hotel (that subsequently was destroyed by Hurricane Lenny), that I found myself as crew on a catamaran. Seeing the mega yachts made me consider the profession and I moved back to the states to pursue it. I am definitely in my dream job and there is little I would change; the travel, the freedom not being locked in an office environment, my wife is with me as my mate, and the simple joy of cruising the ocean is ideal for me.”

What is your favorite type of cruising?
“Motor yachts are my preference, they have every luxury one could imagine, however my wife Catherine and I have been known to bareboat on catamarans in the British Virgin Island’s for vacation. “

What is your favorite cruising area?
“I have been blessed to work on yachts that move, a lot. Having traveled over 25 thousand nautical miles I have seen many places. I would say that the Exumas in the Bahamas is my favorite cruising ground. Personally I feel there is no more beautiful island exploring than in the lower part of the Exumas chain. However the most adventurous cruising has to be transiting most of the locks in the Erie Canal and the Welland Canal. Wow - I highly recommend that experience!”

Do you have a favorite “boat drink” and if so what's in it?
“Well I am a beer drinker but my wife Catherine has a concoction that is great even with or without liquor. While in Charleston at the Charleston Hotel she learned to make what they call a ‘cool breeze’ but she calls it a ‘stiff breeze’ when it is made with liquor and a cool breeze when not. Muddle fresh ginger and cucumber then add lemon juice, simple syrup and gin. Shake and serve over ice...”

What is the craziest boating experience you've ever had?
“My wife and I took an 82 foot yacht into the North Channel and Georgian Bay in Canada. When we explored in the tender we found large boats moored between boulders with fenders protecting the hull and whole camps set up on the rocks. It was bizarre to see such big boats in such tiny dangerous spaces.” ml Catherine and Rick Topel