KaYachtic

---CAPTAIN XANDER - 2025/2026 Season ---

Your skipper, Captain Xander, grew up near St. Louis before moving to Arizona to study finance at Arizona State. He spent his initial years out of college behind a desk working for a large wealth management firm. During a trip to Croatia, he fell in love with sailing and quickly realized that office life wasn’t going to be in his future forever.

In 2016 Xander moved to Chicago, purchased an old sailboat, and spent summer evenings and weekends on the water, sailing around Lake Michigan. After a couple of seasons, he decided that the short Chicago summers and splitting time between the office and the lake weren’t enough so he left the finance world to pursue a career in sailing.

Xander has spent most of his time sailing in the Caribbean, Adriatic, and Great Lakes. His favorite part of the day is when the engines are off and you’re truly sailing. Xander is always happy to show guests the ropes and teach a thing or two about sailing. His goal on every charter is to deliver an unforgettable experience and leave guests with a passion for sailing.

---FIRST MATE TAYLOR  - 2025/2026 Season ---

Your chef/first mate, Taylor, was born in Sydney, Australia but grew up in Los Angeles, California. While pursuing a degree in Art History at TCU, she spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy studying Italian Gastronomy and Culture. It was during this time that Taylor realized her passion for food which allowed her to refine her culinary skills.

After graduating Taylor began working for a family in the US, preparing meals and helping care for their child. She was fortunate to accompany the family on extended trips around Europe and Africa, exposing her to more unique cuisines and cooking methods.

Having visited 50+ countries, Taylor loves drawing on her experiences traveling to create inventive dishes in a wide array of culinary styles focusing on simple, local ingredients. In 2018 Taylor decided to go from kitchen to galley and started working as a chef on boats. She has worked on sailboats in the Adriatic and Caribbean. Her goal on every charter is to ensure some of your favorite memories are the beautiful sunsets and the amazing food accompanying them.

Xander and Taylor first met while working on charters in Croatia before moving to the Caribbean. Both are extremely passionate about yachting and love delivering the best possible charter for all guests. With 3+ seasons and over 60 Caribbean charters together, Xander and Taylor will ensure your itinerary fits perfectly for your ideal vacation. The Virgin Islands have so much to offer and they can’t wait to show you some of their favorite spots!

**Captain Xander and Chef Taylor are both fully vaccinated**

Xander and Taylor look forward to welcoming you aboard KaYachtic!

---- 2026/2027 SEASON CREW ----

Captain Solomon Wood and First Mate/Chef Cian Browne join KaYachtic after a successful season together aboard Island Standard Time, a BVI based Bali 4.8. Their wealth of knowledge of the cruising grounds, the yacht, hospitality experience makes them the perfect crew for your charter vacation.

— CAPTAIN SOLOMON - 2026/2027 SEASON — 

Solomon first learned to sail in the rugged waters of Scotland, where the mix of wild seas and sweeping coastlines sparked a passion for sailing that has only grown stronger over the years. What began as a pastime soon developed into a lifelong passion for the sea.

With years of experience captaining yachts and guiding guests through some of the most beautiful sailing waters in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Solomon takes great pride in creating unforgettable experiences to ensure every guest has the best week of their lives onboard.

Holding an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification with both STCW and Commercial Endorsement, Solomon brings both professionalism and passion to every charter. Beyond the technical skills, what sets Solomon apart is a deep love for introducing people to sailing and sharing the joy of life at sea.
Whether it’s navigating turquoise bays, teaching guests how to sail, or simply creating moments of calm on deck, Solomon embodies both adventure and hospitality.

CERTIFICATES


• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore – Commercially Endorsed

• STCW Basic Safety Training

• VHF SRC Radio Licence

• First Aid Certification (STCW)
• AEC 1 and 2

— FIRST MATE CIAN - 2026/2027 SEASON — 
Cian trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland, graduating with first-class honours. The farm-to-fork ethos there gave him a deep respect for ingredients,
seasonality, and the power of simple food cooked with care. During his time, he also worked service at Ballymaloe House, plating five-course dinners for over 80 covers a night—an experience that sharpened both his technical skills and his ability to
thrive under pressure. He went on to do stages at Margaret’s and Quay in Sydney, both 2- and 3-hatted restaurants, where he gained invaluable insight into fine dining kitchens at the highest level.

Since then, Cian has cooked across a wide range of kitchens and settings. He has worked as a private chef, and spent a winter season in the French Alps, preparing multi-course meals for new groups of guests each week. That role taught him how
to adapt quickly, balance precision with warmth, and bring a restaurant-level standard to a homely setting.

Cian returns to the BVI for another Caribbean season working alongside Solomon. Life at sea demands flexibility, creativity, and the ability to design menus that suit diverse tastes and dietary needs—all in the tightest of kitchens. It is as much about creating an experience as it is about the food, which is exactly what he loves about this career.