What a fun story to share.  A fellow Realtor how owned a ReMAX franchise in Moncton, New Brunswick,  had a dream of someday to retiring from real estate and set sail for ports unknown.  After 30+ years of a successful career in residential real estate, Leo and Ginette are living that dream everyday as the crew of s/y Bleu Tourquoise – a Beneteau 50 – a six-pack,  based at Village Cay Marina.  I was speaking with Janet Oliver this morning – director of the Charter Yacht Society, and asked her if about this couple I had heard about from Canada.  She suggested I speak with them myself and discover their story.

I stopped by their yacht today to find out what would cause a successful real estate family sell everything and jump aboard their Jeanneua 40 and head south.  One of the conclusions I made was they wanted to reset their life course and create a balance they had not discovered in many years of owning their business.  What I discovered is that the experience they have had the last five years has far exceeded anything they could have imagined.  When they decided to sail south from New Brunswick they never imagined that they would visit 51 islands, 17 countries and end up in Tobago in just one year.  Leopold we most concerned that his dream of the sailing life may not be fully embraced by Ginette.  He had no worries.  She has embraced it even more than him.  Selling everything, being disconnected from “things”, never watching television, and enjoying the most beautiful sunsets imaginable each evening has changed both of their lives.  Ginette told me that it took about six months to have all of the “stress” of their previous life finally melt away.  Now every relationship and every moment in nature has taken on new importance.

They definitely have brought a French flair to s/y Bleu Tourquoise – from the cuisine to the wines.  They will even assist you with learning French during your charter with them.  The yacht they represent is owned and managed by Vacances Sous Voiles, a charter yacht management company that owns five charter boats in the Caribbean.  The company is owned and managed by the very capable Michel Guerra and Michèle Riva.  During the off-season Leopold and Ginette travel back to Moncton, New Brunswick to spend time with their children and grandchildren.  And, they need to be back in Canada a certain amount of months a year to stay qualified for their health insurance – a concern for all of us that spend time exploring the world.

I have to admit, that I have had similar dreams asLeo and Ginette to jump off the world of owning a very large real estate practice, downsize everything, and set sail for places unknown to me.  My wife and I may consider an alternative to the cruising life, by finding a place in the South France to add to our San Francisco home, and one in the Caribbean.  It wouldn’t be too bad a life to travel between three of our favorites spots in the world.  Stay tuned…more to come as the Boat Show continues on for another three days. Enjoy the stories and the experiences shared from the charter yacht community.