STARFISH

Award Winning Crew on an Award Winning Yacht!
2018 USVI Charter Yacht Show – “Best Crew in Show” (under 52’ yacht)
2018 USVI Charter Yacht Show – “Best Yacht in Show” runner-up (under 52′)
2018 Grenada Charter Yacht Show – “Captain’s Cocktail Competition” – 1st Place – Capt. Sam
2018 Grenada Charter Yacht Show – “Culinary Excellence Competition” – 2nd Place – Chef Jen

When EXPERIENCE counts, you deserve the Dream Team of Sam and Jen! Now entering their 9th year of chartering in the Virgin Islands, Sam and Jen are well-versed in charter yacht hospitality and know the U.S. and British Virgin Islands extremely well. They craft the PERFECT “Personalized Caribbean Sailing Vacation” for your and your family or friends — just review the post-charter reviews provided to Brokers by our guests to see what they had to say about their experience aboard STARFISH! (Click on Guest Comments in tool bar.).

Why are Sam and Jen excel as super hospitable Charter Yacht Crew? Let’s just say this is not their first rodeo! Captain Sam Augspurger and First Mate/Chef Jen Augspurger are lifelong sailors (their first home at the age of 22 was a 37′ monohull) who have spent many years exploring both the Caribbean and the South Pacific aboard their prior catamaran with their two (then) pre-teen/teen daughters. Returning to the mainland seven years after setting sail in 2004, Sam and Jen soon missed island life. As soon as both daughters were in college in Florida, they moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2012. With the purchase of their current beautiful catamaran, STARFISH, they are able to graciously host you and your friends and family aboard and show you the VERY BEST of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

Captain Sam is a highly accomplished sailor and holds a 100 ton Masters license with Sailing and Towing Endorsements, as well as STCW, CPR, AED, and First Aid Certifications. With literally tens of thousands of sea miles earned since beginning sailing across the Gulf Stream between Florida and the Bahamas as a youngster with his family, as well as extensive safety and boat handling training and experience (including engineering experience), guests can relax and enjoy themselves knowing that a mature and responsible captain is at the helm of this extremely well-maintained yacht. First Mate/Chef Jen, who has sailed nearly as many miles as Sam, also has certifications in STCW, CPR, AED, and First Aid. In addition to being in charge in the galley, having sailed as team with Sam since she was 22, Jen is equally at ease at the helm of Starfish as well.

Captain Sam loves guests who are interested in joining him at the large helm bench seat to learn more about sailing or just to sit back and enjoy the breeze and the panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the islands. Always calm and relaxed, guests have commented that Captain Sam is a great conversationalist and they enjoyed the conversations they had at the helm with Sam as they sailed to their next destination or over early morning coffee. He also knows how to tell “just a few” pirate jokes.

Guests always rave about the cuisine aboard STARFISH. Just read all the Guest Comments going back to 2014 and hear what prior guests have to say to their brokers at the end of their charter! From her years of living aboard and sailing the world with her family, Chef Jen’s cooking incorporates the use of fresh local ingredients from land and sea and the flavors of the many islands that she has visited. She delights in introducing guests to unique Caribbean and other flavors in her meals. Reading cookbooks is her hobby. Jen always enjoyed entertaining at home and aboard during their travels with their daughters, so her role as Chef/First Mate/Hostess Extraordinaire aboard STARFISH is a natural extension of her interests. Jen’s attention to details, coupled with her gracious hospitality, enables her to provide guests with the ultimate charter experience.

Guests often comment that it is so refreshing to see a husband/wife team work together so smoothly. Sam and Jen met in college and have been married since 1989. Having sailed thousands of miles together, Sam and Jen make an excellent team. Both Sam and Jen enjoyed successful prior careers prior to entering the yachting industry. Sam owned a swimming pool construction company in South Florida, and then later joined the corporate management teams for two large international corporations. Jen retired from the legal profession after 25 years in private and governmental service. They obviously love their Charter Yacht Crew professions!

Sam and Jen have a zest for life and love welcoming their new guests aboard and guiding them in their travels so that their guests may enjoy their time aboard STARFISH to the fullest. Whatever is YOUR dream sailing vacation, Sam and Jen are committed to making that a reality.
Their goal is for you to depart STARFISH with your expectations far exceeded and with you planning your next charter before you leave!

***Sam and Jen are fully vaccinated against Covid and have had 4 boosters each and will continue to obtain boosters as they are made available.**