Captain Name: Charly Zahr
Captain Nationality: Argentine
Number of Crew: 2
CAPTAIN/CHEF CHARLY ZAHR
Charly grew up just outside of glamorous, vibrant, Buenos Aires, Argentina. His culture of music, playing the guitar, great food, fine wine and entertaining friends, are part of what makes his charter style so special.
In his early 20s, Charly completed his studies in Industrial Engineering at the University of Buenos Aires. He left the dazzle of the capital and a successful career as a musician/singer with his band, “Charly Zahr & Co.” He moved to Rio de la Plata, where once he gripped a yacht helm he did not want to let go. He said, “A good friend introduced me to this passion for yachting. It was as if I’d been born for this life, a dream come true! I came to the Virgin Islands on a charter yacht. Right after I arrived I met Carolina. I had found my perfect partner.” That was some 20 years ago. They have been sailing together ever since.
Captain Charly is an expert seaman and extremely knowledgeable about sailing throughout the Caribbean. He says it’s his favorite yachting destination. “Peaceful, crystal clear waters, steady breezes all year around, perfect temperatures and amazing fresh vegetables and fish! And the most wonderful, local people to spend time with. Charter guests aboard VISION experience all this and more. Because, although Charly commands the ship, he also has many stories to tell and songs to sing. All you need do is ask him.
CAPITÁN / CHEF CHARLY ZAHR
Charly creció a las afueras de la glamorosa y vibrante Buenos Aires, Argentina. Su cultura de la música, tocar la guitarra, buena comida, buen vino y entretener a sus amigos, son parte de lo que hace que su estilo de charter sea tan especial.
En sus 20 años, Charly completó sus estudios en Ingeniería Industrial en la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Dejó el deslumbramiento de la capital y una exitosa carrera como músico / cantante con su banda, “Charly Zahr & Co.” Se trasladó a Río de la Plata, donde una vez que se apoderó de un timón de yate no quería dejarlo ir. Él dijo: “Un buen amigo me presentó a esta pasión por la navegación. Fue como si hubiera nacido para esta vida, ¡un sueño hecho realidad! Llegué a las Islas Vírgenes en un yate de alquiler. Justo después de llegar, me encontré Carolina. Había encontrado a mi pareja perfecta. “Eso fue hace unos 20 años. Han estado navegando juntos desde entonces.
El capitán Charly es un marinero experto y conoce mucho sobre la navegación por el Caribe. Él dice que es su destino de yate favorito. “Aguas tranquilas y cristalinas, brisas constantes durante todo el año, temperaturas perfectas e increíbles verduras frescas y pescado! Y las personas más maravillosas y locales con quienes pasar el tiempo. Los huéspedes de charter a bordo de VISION experimentan todo esto y más. Porque, aunque Charly comanda el barco, también tiene muchas historias que contar y canciones para cantar. Todo lo que necesitas hacer es preguntarle.
======================================================================================================================
MATE/ WATER SPORTS INSTRUCTOR – JIM CLARK
Jim Clark grew up in the land-locked city of Manchester in England, and in his early 20’s, he completed his degree of BSc Environmental Science at Leeds University, after many years of being landlocked, Jim headed for the sea, and has never looked back! From there, Jim has been working abroad as a marine researcher/scuba diver/technician for many years, continuously living on the beach, and waking up to a beautiful view every day.
Developing this love of traveling and scuba diving, Jim became a scuba diving instructor in 2015 and can now teach a number of different specialties to whatever floats your boat. Jim has been able to see some of the wonders of the underwater world around the globe and will continue with this in the BVIs. Working on the beautiful boats in the Caribbean has been a dream of his for some time, and now that is a reality, so come meet Jim and ask him about some of the diving and traveling adventures that he’s been on.
Jim has STCW, ENG1, RYA L2 POWERBOAT LICENCE, Sailing, and Powerboat Courses as well. He is a FIRST AID Instructor and has many Specialty Certs as PADI, as well as being Divemaster and Instructor. He speaks some Spanish as well
For this Season Vision will not offer Scuba but Jim will be the most amazing snorkeling Instructor for all ages, he will run the tender, help the Captain in everything about the maneuvering of the boat and help to set tables and prepare cocktails, interior and exterior cleaning etc.
He was also a professional bartender in England where he worked for many years in the months when not working during the Scuba Season where he worked as Divemaster in Mexico, Greece, and Seychelles)
He has a degree of Bachelor of Science with an Honours Class in Environmental Science from the University of Leeds.
=========================================================================================================
CAROLINA MAY BE A POSSIBLE RELIEF MATE FOR JIM TO COVER HOLIDAYS – please inquire for later in the season
Charly and Carolina have an adorable young son Valentin, born October 14, 2008, who is a great sailor and deckhand. He will not be on board for charters unless it is a family charter and the guests invite him to join the charter, OR if the charter coincides with school vacations, such as Easter, Christmas, and New Year. Twelve-year-old Valentin can serve as the 3rd crew member, at the client’s discretion. He’s great with families and kids and helps out with snorkeling, sailing, and other chores around the boat.
Charly and crew regularly attend the annual Yacht Shows in the Caribbean and have won several awards!
2017 – BVI November Yacht Show – Best Catamaran in the Show – just 2 months after Hurricane Irma!!
2019 – Grenada July Yacht Show – Best Cocktail Drink in the Show
2020 – BVI November (Virtual) Yacht Show – Best Virtual Presentation – you can view their video on this link:
https://vimeo.com/483620809
PASTRY CHEF- land-based CAROLINA RODRIGUEZ SOAJE
Carolina met Charly, and together they launched a career in yachting. The two became licensed captains in Argentina and sailed the world’s oceans. Caro continued taking courses to further her career as a yacht chef, including pastries and breads, and sommelier. She had an exciting position as chef/hostess on a Farr 80’, exploring most of the European and Turkish coasts. She also worked on yachts as a pastry chef and first mate. Since 1999, she has owned a 62′ classic yacht, operating long-term and day charters throughout the Caribbean.
Carolina is now land-based, and assists with all the preparation and interior work on Vision, as well as attending to the provisions for each charter. She also provides the pastries and desserts for the charter.
Caro’s pastries and bread are irresistible. She says, “Guests rave most about my 70% cocoa chocolate mousse, and my dulce de leche mousse, with ingredients we bring from Argentina!” Guests aboard VISION not only eat well, but they are also pampered.