More Specifications
Flag:
USA
Homeport:
St. Thomas, USVI
Yacht Permit:
1
Yacht License:
1
Yacht Mca:
1
Yacht Insurance:
MHG Insurance Brokers
Water Sports
Dinghy Size:
14ft Center Console
Kayaks 1 Pax:
Yes
Kayaks 2 Pax:
No
Dinghy Hp:
30hp
Floating Mats:
Yes
Dinghy Pax:
10
Swim Platform:
No
Water Skis Adult:
No
Boarding Ladder:
Yes - port transom
Water Skis Kids:
No
Jet Skis:
No
Beach Games:
No
Wave Runners:
No
Kneeboard:
No
Windsurfer:
No
Snorkel Gear:
Yes
Underwater Camera:
No
Scurfer:
No
Underwater Video:
No
Wake Board:
No
Paddleboard:
Yes
Seabob:
No
Sea Scooter:
Yes
Crew
MEET THE CREW
Captain: Alan Owen
Chef/First Mate: Iona Matheson
Al was born in South Africa, and by the age of 8 he was a regular at the local yacht club, racing in Optimist dinghies. This began his long association with boats and water sports. He moved to Ireland as a young adult, and spent the next eight years as an outdoor instructor. Disciplines covered included sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and paddle sports. Archery, indoor climbing, orienteering, mountain biking and swimming.
Al has competed at national and international level in both dinghy and keelboat racing , and represented Ireland in kayak surfing at World Championships.
Offshore racing in J 24’s had whetted his appetite to pursue a career in a maritime setting and he enrolled on a Professional Offshore Yachtmaster course . He then worked as Flotilla Lead and bareboat Skipper for Sunsail, Dubrovnik, Croatia, before setting his sights on the Caribbean and fulfilling a lifelong dream to captain a yacht in paradise.
When at home you’ll find him hunting surf along the West Coast of Ireland, either on a board, windsurf, or more recently on his wing foil.
Iona was born and raised in Scotland. She studied Psychology and English Literature at the University of Glasgow, and worked in hospitality to fund her travels to Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Canada, and all over Europe. Her love of cooking was ignited by attending cookery workshops around the world, and she became passionate about flavor combinations, menu creation, and mixology, through working in the hospitality sector. After graduating, she decided to move to Ireland to follow her passion for outdoor sports.
A lover of movement, she is also a qualified yoga teacher, and an instructor of aerial acrobatics and aerial dance, which she is always keen to share with adults or children! Iona can’t wait to serve you beautiful and delicious food, and tailor the experience, the menu, and the provisions on board to your choosing.
Iona and Al met 5 years ago working as outdoor sports instructors. They got together after he introduced her to sailing, united through a love for adventure, life on the water, and water sports. They are experienced in working together as a team with family groups including children, adult groups, and disability groups. They worked together, as Skipper and Hostess, on a monohull sailing yacht in Croatia for a season facilitating Flotilla holidays, and experience which they both adored. This spurred them on to set their sights on the Caribbean, where Al has already been working as charter Captain for the past year, while Iona furthered her culinary skills at cookery school in London, and became a Day Skipper.
Al and Iona can’t wait to welcome you aboard Sea Dog and give you the experience of a vacation of a lifetime!
Reviews
5th Trip and This Was The Best!!
Thank you for an amazing experience. This is our 5th trip down to the USVi and this was by far the best!
Julie, the cooking and the meals were outstanding - a highlight of the trip
Mike, Captain, great job getting us safely to our destinations and making us feel safe. The two of you work great together and you do a wonderful job taking care of your guests. Tammy and I appreciate your hospitality and hope someday we can sail with you again.
A New Bar has Been Set!
A new bar has been set for every vacation from now on!
Your expertise on these beautiful islands was so appreciated. You found the perfect mooring spot -every - single - time!
And - the food!!!! What can be said that's better than spectacular!
Thank you so much for being terrific hosts!
We Fell In Love
Where do I even begin? It's a love story.....
We fell in love with the islands, the boat, y'all, the fishing, the food (OMG! The Food!), the beaches and Captain's drinks!
You are truly THE BEST.
Everything exceeded our expectations. Thank you all for an incredible vacay!
Incredible!
What a memorable vacation! We will never forget our AMAZING VOYAGE in the BVI.
Incredible Vistas, Morning Coffee Club, Sunsets, Sunrises.... Wonderful Experience!!
Deep appreciation for Mike's steady demeanor in navigating through the beautiful islands.
Chef Julie...your gourmet meals, your attention to details, table decor were above and beyond our expectations. Thank you for recognizing the dietary restrictions and the birthday celebrations.
Hope you enjoyed the flavour of our local music - Newfoundland, Prince Edward island and Nova Scotia with our evening sing songs.
42 Shades of Blue Caribbean Waters
My husband and I just returned from a glorious week aboard Sea Dog, with Captain Mike and Julie. It was the experience of a lifetime.
The boat was grand, and immaculate. The BVIs and USVI were spectacular. Who can resist those 42 shades of blue Caribbean waters.
But the best was Captain Mike and Julie. They made this trip all the more special. Captain made sure we visited all the places on our wish list and got us there safely and with a smile. And Julie! What a surprise at every hand-crafted meal, from homemade icecream to perfectly cooked sea bass. I regret our dinners on shore because I was sure we were missing something better on board.
They made our trip truly the best experience of a lifetime.
Magical
We will never forget this adventure. The entire week was magical. We anticipated this for over a year and you made it come alive beyond our expectations.
There are few inflection points in life - THIS was one of them.
Thank you for being part of our DREAM!
Gracious and Accommodating
This has been an unbelievable experience. You have both been such gracious and accommodating hosts. The food prepared by Julie was absolutely fabulous and definitely better than many high end restaurants at which we have dined. the accommodations were great.
Thank you so much for making this trip so very special!!
Will Not Be Our Last Trip!
Thank you for a wonderful trip - you two are the best!
This was our first experience on a private catamaran and it will not be our last.
We have travelled the world, but we will always remember this trip.
Thanks for a great trip and many memories with friends.
Best Trip Ever!!
Best Trip Ever. Thank you both so much. You truly made it amazing.
The food was absolutely incredible. I know I will miss that when we get home. We noticed all the little details you did to make our trip amazing.
I hope we can come back and do it again. If you are ever in NY be sure to look us up and visit.
Thank you so much again for an unforgettable trip!!
So Accommodating!
Thank you for an amazing trip! Everything cooked for us was so delicious I wish I could eat the food everyday. Thank you for being so accommodating and allowing us to join the trip a day late.
Appreciate all your help getting here, we had the best trip.
Your Company Was Outstanding!
Thank you so much for making our 40th birthday celebration so amazing!
Thank you for being extremely flexible and making everything we wanted happen.
The food was amazing and your company outstanding!
Fantastic Crew
You two are not only fantastic crew but wonderful hosts!
Mike exudes confidence with the boat and can tackle anything that comes up. Very impressive.
The itinerary you arranged for us was perfect and we have fallen in the love with the area now!
Julie, you meals were off the charts. Your presentation and tablescapes were so fun and creative! But your selection of food for oure entrees and desserts was beyond our expectations.
Absolutely beautiful.
We are already planning our trip for next year!
Please stay in touch and come see us in Annapolis.
What a Week!
What a week! We had a fantastic time! Your hospitality is amazing. The itinerary was perfect for the little people with us. I can't think of anything I'd change or any improvements I could recommend.
You are both A+ hosts and good people to hang out with.
Hospitality Second To None!
Memories to last a lifetime! I can't imagine two better hosts to show us the magic of the islands. Their knowledge is unparallelled, food was outstanding and the hospitality is second to none. Thank you again for an unforgettable excursion
Nothing Short Of Extraordinary
Thank you for sharing your passion, expertise and the wonders of the islands and sea with us. Our vacation on board Sea Dog with you has been nothing short of extraordinary. We will carry these moments and these days as treasured memories. We loved every minute and are looking forward to our paths crossing again.
So Thoughtful In Everything You Do
Thank you for making our trip to USVI/BVI so wonderful. We had so much fun exploring the islands and beaches, enjoyed getting to know you and hearing your life story, and made so many special memories aboard the Sea Dog. You make an incredible team and are so thoughtful in everything you do.
Hospitality Is Extraodinary, A Treasure So Rare
Sailing with you on the Sea Dog
has been a dream come true.
Your company is fantastic
and you're the best crew.
Your hospitality is extraordinary, a
treasure so rare.
You've given us a vacation
of memories to share.
Captain Mike, a navigator supreme,
guided Sea Dog like a nautical Dream.
Julie, a master chef, her culinary art.
Each meal a masterpiece, a delight from the start.
To pristine beached and blue seas.
The Sea Dog sailed,
The beauty of the islands
Each day wonders unveiled.
We are grateful to sail with you
For this is a dream come true!
Can It Ever Get Any Better!
Our last evening we stayed in Caneel Bay on St. John, the end of a glorious week of adventure, beauty and fun.
This was our first time to the Virgin Islands, the first time on a catamaran and I find it hard to imagine it can ever get better than this.
The natural beauty of the islands can only be seen in their entirety from the water. The many deserted coves and beaches, where we walked in the soft sand and snorkeled in the crystal clear water, were an up-close and immersive experience second to none.
Our son loved the underwater sea scooters and the wake board. Our oldest daughter would go out on the stand up paddleboards, and our youngest daughters jumped from the upper deck in between relaxing and handing out.
Mike was the perfect boat captain. Everything on board worked well, there was plenty of water for showers and all the toys and activities were already for use. He sailed us to the best of the islands, taking into account the weather and waves so we had a comfortable and enjoyable trip. On the longer stretches Miked showed anyone who was interested how to sail the catamaran, how to go fast and avoid the other ships and boats while getting to where we wanted to go. Mike led our weeklong vacation while being kind, pleasant, and confidentially in command. This certainly made it easy for us to relax and enjoy the experience.
As Mike led the boat, Julie led the accommodations and especially the kitchen. meals were the highlights of each day! The quantity, quality and presentation of breakfast, lunch, snack and especially dinner was wonderful. Juslie is an outstanding chef. The cuisine was fresh and flavourful while at the same time being hearty, healthy and a joy to behold!
She kept the living area neat, clean and attractive!
While exploring both the American and British Virgin Islands we felt like we were in a floating luxury hotel. Every day provided a new and unique experience and the transit from island to island was an ever changing seascape of stunning natural beauty.
Every person in our family rates this as one of our best vacations ever. The only thing that might make it better was if we had a small convoy of 2 to 4 catamarans shared with friends and family, each crewed by a couple as thoughtful and capable as Mike and Julie.
Thank you!
Blessed
Thank you for the awesome week on the Sea Dog! The food was amazing! Thankful for all your knowledge about the islands. We are blessed to have spent the week with you both.
Deep Gratitude
The work you do is so important and so appreciated. Just wanted to express our deep gratitude for the dedicated work you do day after day. Because of you Mike and Julie, our time on Sea Dog was one of the best vacation ever.
Wonderful Experience
Thank you for a wonderful experience. The meals were amazing. We appreciate your hospitality and look forward to another trip soon!
Championed This Entire Memory For Our Family
GUEST REVIEW TO BROKER
We arrived home safe and sound last night. I wanted to let you know what an amazing time our family had on the SeaDog. We were treated like family by Nick and Kate and our son absolutely adores Nick. He spent so much time helping Nate fish and educating him on things, that we saw Nate come out of his shell and have great moments of dialog with Nick. We couldn’t be more happy than this.
Kate prepared amazing food all week and waited on us hand and foot.
The SeaDog was very clean and accommodating.
We couldn’t have had a better crew. We highly recommend Nick and Kate, they championed this entire memory for our family.
Thank you.!!!!
BROKER PROVIDED REVIEW
Yacht Name: Sea Dog
Rating of Yacht & Crew: 5
Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes very good layout and very clean.
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Very - we kept the doors open during the day and the AC was nice and cold at night
Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Our crew was absolutely amazing. Captain Nick was the perfect balance of fun and safe. I knew about 30 mins in to being on the boat that he had our safety as his number one priority and that he knew sailing inside and out. He took us to great spots and when he wasn’t busy sailing he was busy cleaning up, getting toys out, helping Kate, or answering any of our million questions we were always throwing at him. He fished with us every night and that was definitely a highlight of the trip. Kate…no words. I think I speak for all of us when I say we wanted to take her home with us! She was the sweetest, kindest hostess we could ever imagine. Her food was delicious and her drinks were even better! She worked so hard the week we were there and you could tell she loved every minute of it. It would be hard to imagine doing this trip with anyone else.
Was the food good and well presented?
Yes the food was amazing. Every meal was delicious and our Chef, Kate, took into consideration all of the likes/dislikes we each told her about.
Additional comments about the yacht and crew?
We can’t imagine a better time than the one we had onboard Sea Dog with Kate and Nick. Every aspect was perfect - from the planning with VI Sailing to the trip itself. The boat was beautiful and safe and our crew took the best care of us. It was hard to leave on the last day.
Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
Yes! We were so glad we were about to visit both the USVI and BVI in one trip.
Our Crew Was Absolutely Amazing
We had the best week ever on Sea Dog with Captain Nick and Chef Kate. Every aspect of the trip far exceeded any expectations that we had. The boat was beautiful. Very spacious and the lay out was perfect for our group of 6 to be together or spread out when needed. Our absolute favorite feature of the boat was the flybridge. It was where we ended every day and I can’t imagine being on a boat without that space.
Our crew was absolutely amazing. Captain Nick was the perfect balance of fun and safe. I knew about 30 mins in to being on the boat that he had our safety as his number one priority and that he knew sailing inside and out. He took us to great spots and when he wasn’t busy sailing he was busy cleaning up, getting toys out, helping Kate, or answering any of our million questions we were always throwing at him. He fished with us every night and that was definitely a highlight of the trip.
Kate…no words. I think I speak for all of us when I say we wanted to take her home with us! She was the sweetest, kindest hostess we could ever imagine. Her food was delicious and her drinks were even better! She worked so hard the week we were there and you could tell she loved every minute of it.
It would be hard to imagine doing this trip with anyone else.
Absolute Best Way To See the USVI & BVI
We just returned home from a fabulous week aboard the Sea Dog. We were celebrating a couple of 40th birthdays with some dear friends! We could not have chosen a better boat and crew. Nick & Kate took the best care of us and made the week even that much better! They even joined in on our 80s theme night. 🙂 Loved getting to know them and would sail again with them in a heartbeat! Sea Dog was the perfect size for our group and we loved all of the snorkeling, SUP, and fishing! The sky bridge was my favorite spot for pre-dinner happy hour. This was the absolute best way to see the USVI & BVIs. We cannot wait to do it again!
Unmatched hospitality!
Thank you for all your hard work! You made our vacation relaxing, enjoyable and memorable. Your hospitality and attention to detail is unmatched!
We wish you well in your future adventures
Appreciative
Thank you so much for this vacation that I'll never forget. I appreciate everything you guys have done.
The Most Memorable Spring Break
Thank you so much for taking our family on an amazing adventure! From the first sunset to the last, the week was full of gorgeous scenery and picturesque views. Your attention to detail, expert planning, and delicious meals have truly given us the most memorable spring break!!
Highlights: avoiding the shakes with well crafted cocktails :), snorkeling with sea turtles, sea scooters, sailing....sailing....sailing, deserted beaches, food....food...gummy bears....cheese puffs..., playing family games every night while we still have the kids under our roof.
Sincerely, Thank you for sharing your expertise and "second home" with us!! We will never forget this experience or you two. Best wishes to you in your future sails!
A Good Balance - Activities and Relaxation
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for an amazing, unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. Looking forward to this, but not knowing what to expect, we relied on your guidance and knowledge. We were able to see some of God's most beautiful creations.
Thanks Mike for smooth sailing and taking us to some great snorkel spots. It was a good balance between activities and relaxation. We sure got lucky and spoiled with some amazing food and will be dreaming of how delicious everything was.... and probably need to go on a diet when we get back home :)
I think it is safe to say, that this has been the best vacation for all of us.
Best Crew Couple!
Thanks for navigating our dream vacation! Your attention to detail and your professionalism was outstanding.
We could not have had a better crew couple that treated us with the most respect, service and food I could have ever imagined.
The most amazing team!
Thank you so much for an incredible week. We had high hopes and everything exceeded our expectations. You two are an amazing team and you cover every job from Chef, to Captain, to activity leader, to bartender, and even hair stylist! It was lovely to be pampered all week and I will miss the lazy days and long beautiful sunsets. You both were a joy to have a long as company as well. We hope to stay in touch and please let us know if you ever head toward Chicago. Looking forward to coming back to the Virgin Islands soon - maybe you will have a bigger boat by then and we can all fit.
Best of luck to you both!
Thank you for some amazing memories!
Great week of pampering!
Thanks for the great and amazing week - it exceed all our expectations! The places you took us and things you showed us were perfect. You do a great job making your guests feel pampered and like they are on vacation!!!
Thank you for all the memories!
Can’t wait to charter again!
Thank you so much for making our family vacation so amazing. From your kindness to your delicious cooking skills I could note have asked for a better week on the water. Because of your hospitality and easy going personalities I will definitely do another trip like this in my future. Thanks aging for everything sand god luck with your future charters!
Thank you so much for a wonderful charter! You both made the journey incredibly relaxing and were very accommodative. I know we will remember this trip for the rest of our lives. It was a hell of a trip and seeing my mom’s reaction each day made all of it worth it. On top of that, the beautiful views, the BOMB food band the organization of the ship made this something I look forward to doing again.
A trip to remember!
What a pleasure it has been spending this week with you both. You both are incredible hosts and have made this trip one I will never forget. From the scent of coffee as an alarm clock, to our delicious dinners, to the captain’s cocktails, to letting us take over your speakers all week- you both have put so much energy into our experience. THANK YOU for spending Thanksgiving with us!
Unforgettable!
Thank you so much for everything you have to make this trip unforgettable! From the amazing meals, to the awesome route and getting to know you both.You two are the best! I have really enjoyed spending time with you both and hope that one day our paths will cross again! Thank you for being incredible hosts and friends!
Made us feel right at home!
Thank you so much for a wonderful trip around the USVI. You both are so welcoming and made us feel right at home. Mike, you always knew the right spots and always made us feel safe.Julie, your food exceeded expectations everyday, and your tequila tasting was awesome!
Fabulous Trip!
Fabulous trip!
Amazing week from the magical places you took us to snorkel, kayak and hike, to the absolutely delicious meals and careful attention you paid to every detail!
You two are tremendous hosts and an impressive team!
We will forever remember sailing away with you!
Beyond Anything We Could Have Imagines.
Thank you for making our journey fantastic beyond anything we could imagine! The food was amazing and five stars for Captain Mike as well!
As soon as we stepped out of the cab and saw your smiling faces, we knew this was going to be great... and it was!!
The teamwork was amazing! The adventures and food was all 5 stars!!
We were so comfortable, pampered and relaxed!!
Our seven day journey became a lifetime memory! Thank you!
We Can't Wait To Come Back.
Thank you both for hosting such a wonderful trip for our family. She is a beautiful boat. The primary cabin is huge and was such a treat for my wife and I. There was plenty of space for the whole family to enjoy meals, play cards, read and take in the spectacular views. The food was delicious and the service was flawless. We are grateful for all the spot on activity recommendations. This was our first charter experience and we can't wait to come back and do it again!
Sun, Cocktails and Beautiful Beaches!
"Thank you" is not enough to show our gratitude to you Mike and Julie for an incredible trip!! We always felt safe in Mike's capable hands and the 5-star meals by Julie were the best part! After this vacation, we are going home well rested, pampered and wishing we could take Julie home with us to keep us fed :).
This week of sun, amazing cocktails, beautiful beaches and tons of laughs is exactly what we all needed.
For all your hard work, we say: THANK YOU!!
Perfect!
You are the reason our vacation had been perfect! The Caribbean is beautiful, Sea Dog is fantastic but Julie and Mike- You Rock!!
Your professionalism, hospitality, anticipation of every need of your guests is just incredible!
... And the food- Delicious, beautifully presented and exceeding our expectations every day.
You both took great care of us and we can't thank you enough for making our vacation an amazing experience!
If we had to rate your service, five stars isn't enough, a constellation & BEYOND!
So Grateful!
Thank you for treating us so well! You took incredible care of us and we are so grateful! You made our 15th wedding anniversary super memorable. We loved the snorkeling and exploring via SUP! What an amazing way to see the USVI! The food was so perfect and delicious! We will be craving your eggplant parmigiana for years to come!
Your hosting was so attentive and yet so effortless. You are both such naturals at this gig. We enjoyed our easy conversations and getting to know you both!
Watching the stars on the upper deck and listening to random 90s music was another highlight!
Thank you!!
Fantastic! Wonderful! Amazing!
I wanted to send a quick note about our trip. I’ll start with fantastic! Wonderful! Amazing! Spectacular!
It TRULY is just gorgeous. It is spacious and very well appointed. Mike and Julie were so great! They were simply lovely people who were thoughtful, kind and anticipated what we would want. They take good care all the way around. We were pampered beyond expectations.
(Our only disappointment was on Sunday following our return home we were left to our own devices in our homes to mix our own drinks, prepare our own meals and clean up after dinner! HaHaHa )
I will close with a heartfelt thank you for sharing your beautiful sailing vessel with us.