Meet the Crew
sharing our love of the ocean
Fellow Adventurers, Ready to Inspire
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Our experienced crew began just like you - adventurous souls seeking new horizons and meaningful experiences. Passionate, knowledgeable, and eager to share their journey, our crew inspires and guides sailors to embrace life at sea.
Darren + Amanda
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Founders | Sailing Panda | US Coast Guard Licensed Masters
Darren and Amanda are full-time liveaboard adventurers who’ve sailed over 50,000 nautical miles—five TransAtlantic crossings (and counting), the Viking route to Greenland and the UK, and to the far edges of the Mediterranean Sea.
Over the past six years, they’ve called a monohull, a trimaran, and now a catamaran home—learning every inch of life afloat across different boats and bluewater conditions. Along the way, they’ve weathered storms, sailed among icebergs, and embraced the freedom of a life shaped by the sea. Their expertise spans seamanship, safety, maintenance, provisioning, and—of course—the stories only the ocean can write.
Today, their greatest passion is sharing this lifestyle with others. Through immersive, hands-on sail training passages, Darren and Amanda empower landlocked dreamers, couples, families, and retirees to gain the skills and confidence to start their own cruising journeys. They don’t just teach how to sail—they guide people into a new way of life.
Their philosophy is simple: do what you love. Whether afloat or ashore, they believe adventure is for everyone—and they’re living proof that a different life is possible when you’re willing to chase it.
Check out their YouTube channel and other social media platforms.
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Although Darren was born and raised in land-locked Reno Nevada, there was no shortage of adventure in his life. He began racing go-karts, flying aeroplanes, and competing in downhill ski racing at an early age. Transitioning to a life at sea has been no different in the planning, preparation, and safety precautions needed for an adventure on our world’s oceans.
Darren has graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from the University of Nevada, Reno; and has over a decade of experience working for Siemens in the power generation industry. Undoubtedly, his years of racing cars, skis, and really, anything that moves, has given him the knowledge to repair, fix, and upgrade all parts of the sailing vessel, giving him the title of ‘All-around fix-it man’.
When he isn’t elbows deep in a boat project, Darren enjoys riding bikes, exploring the underwater world, and getting lost in a new town. At the end of the day, he appreciates a good beer or Scotch and can fall asleep promptly after a delicious sweet.
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Raised on Florida’s east coast, Amanda, fondly known as “Panda”, has always felt at home near the ocean. Though she grew up surrounded by water, her passion for sailing truly ignited when she took off cruising aboard her own boat. It was there, under open skies and salt-sprayed decks, that she found a deeper calling: living simply, exploring widely, and sharing the magic of life at sea.
Before trading spreadsheets for sea charts, Amanda built a career in the hospitality world analyzing data, building reports and maintaining databases for Marriott Vacations. Her experience behind the scenes of a global travel brand gave her a sharp eye for detail, logistics, and guest experience, skills she now brings aboard Outer Passage with effortless warmth. Organized, thoughtful, and grounded, she thrives in the ever-changing flow of life at sea.
Amanda wears many hats onboard: co-captain, cook, naturalist, and all-around morale booster. Whether she’s whipping up a fresh, locally inspired meal in the galley or guiding guests through vibrant coral reefs, she brings joy, knowledge, and an infectious curiosity to every day. In fact, guests often say they came for the sailing, but stayed for the food.
With a deep respect for nature and a gift for hospitality, Amanda ensures that every journey is both adventurous and restorative. Her calm leadership, love of learning, and connection to the sea make her not just a capable sailor, but a trusted guide and friend to all who come aboard.
Sail with Darren + Amanda
Elliot + Anais
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The Salty Cruisers | Yacht Master + ICC | WATER Sports
Meet Elliot and Anais, an English-French duo who traded corporate careers in Asia for a life of adventure at sea. What began in 2021 as a two-year sabbatical to sail around the world has become a long-term voyage. Four years later, the adventure continues stronger than ever!
With over 30,000 nautical miles behind them, Elliot and Anais have sailed through the Mediterranean, the UK and Channel Islands, the Caribbean, and two transatlantic crossings. Along the way, they have developed a deep love for adventurous coastal exploration and for water and wind sports.
Their passion for the ocean runs deep, and they thrive on helping others discover the freedom and fulfillment that life on the water can offer. Whether it’s teaching sailing, kiteboarding, wing foiling, or sharing off-grid living skills like catching lobsters or hiking remote trails, they are dedicated to inspiring and guiding others on their own incredible journeys.
No adventure would be complete without their loyal companion North, their adorable, seafaring dog who crosses oceans alongside them.
Follow their journey on Instagram at The Salty Cruisers for stories, tips, and inspiration from a life lived at sea. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or someone dreaming of saltwater horizons, they are here to help you embrace your own ocean adventure.
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Elliot grew up in the south of England, where his love for the water began as soon as he could walk. From a young age, he was out sailing dinghies and building an early connection to the ocean. Summers in Devon were filled with watersports - sailing, powerboating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, fishing, and kayaking. If it involved water, Elliot was in his element, making the most of every moment.
As a teenager, his competitive side led him into swimming, but his adventurous spirit never faded. After school, he set off backpacking, exploring the world and feeding his curiosity. Whether motorbiking the length of Vietnam, freediving in Indonesia, or road-tripping across New Zealand in an old Land Rover, Elliot embraced the thrill of discovery. He also spent time sailing through the Greek Islands and kitesurfing in Sri Lanka, further deepening his passion for the ocean.
In recent years, Elliot moved on to larger yachts, eventually working on vessels up to 70 feet. He's no stranger to offshore challenges. One of his standout feats was sailing a 60-foot Oyster 1,000 nautical miles without electronics or navigational instruments, then completing a full refit after it was struck by lightning. His hands-on approach and mechanical expertise have earned him a reputation as a reliable problem solver and master of repairs.
Today, Elliot is a dedicated sailor, ocean lover, and watersports enthusiast. From kitesurfing to wing foiling, he’s always pushing his limits and testing new gear. You’ll often find him inflating sports equipment moments after dropping anchor. His deep love for the sea is something he’s passionate about sharing. Whether it's helping someone take their first foiling flight or guiding a paddleboarding adventure, Elliot thrives on getting others involved and making the ocean feel like home.
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Anais grew up in the beautiful regions of Bordeaux, where her love for the ocean began early. Spending her childhood surfing the Atlantic swells, she developed a deep bond with the sea. After earning a master’s degree in wealth management and real estate investment, Anais was drawn to adventure. Her studies allowed her to travel and experience different cultures, from working in the U.S. and Singapore to immersing herself in the beauty of Australia, Indonesia, Tahiti, and Réunion. These experiences broadened her worldview and helped her become fluent in both English and Spanish.
Though Anais had a challenging start with dinghy sailing in her youth, the dream of sailing around the world reignited her passion for the water. She dove into learning the ropes right after buying their first boat, quickly gaining confidence and skill. Having since crossed oceans and gathered invaluable experience, Anais has fully embraced life as a seasoned sailor. She thrives on helping others feel comfortable and supported on deck, always fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
Anais is a talented chef with a flair for creating vibrant, colorful dishes using fresh, local ingredients and the catch of the day. For her, cooking is more than nourishment - it is a way to bring people together and share the joy of food.
Beyond sailing and cooking, Anais maintains an active lifestyle, embracing wellness through kitesurfing, e-foiling, running, Pilates, or any activity that keeps her moving. For Anais, sailing is not just about travel, but about transformation, growth, and connection.
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Meet North, our boat dog extraordinaire! A Pomsky (that’s part Husky, part Pomeranian), North was born in Ireland and raised in Singapore before joining us on all our sailing adventures, including a Transatlantic crossing. He’s our official cuddle captain and morale officer, always first in line for belly rubs, snack breaks, or a good splash on the beach. Whether he’s roaming the deck, riding in the dinghy, or snoozing in the sun, North makes every adventure a little brighter and a lot more fun.