Sailing Story: First Mate Christian

Many sailors start out young but how many sailors have you met that are already aboard a 44 foot yacht as teenagers?

“It’s the best boat that I’ve ever been on because… I haven’t been on many boats,” 17 year-old Christian said about sailing with his step dad, Go Sail’s Captain Jalil, as first mate this summer. 

While most school age kids spend their summers hanging out with local friends, Christian is spending his free time learning more about sailing, what it takes to become a Captain, and hospitality. 

“Jalil can teach me everything by doing it,” Christian explained. And that includes more than just sailing the boat but also taking care of guests and cooking them amazing meals. “I want to learn how to use those cast iron pans,” he said about the next set of skills he hopes to learn from his step dad.  

For now, Captain Jalil mainly keeps Christian busy with typical first mate duties. 

“His main job is just to look after everybody.He keeps the boat clean, makes coffee in the morning, does dishes,” Captain Jalil explained. “People have really enjoyed the pampering — he makes sure everyone always has a cold drink!”

However, Christian isn’t shy about having bigger dreams than being Captain Jalil’s first mate.

“Right now I don’t like sailing that much because I don’t get to be on the helm that much,” Christian said. “In 2026, I’m probably going to get my Captain’s license.”

As well as getting his Captain’s license, Christian would like to go to culinary school.

“I could get sea time on a bigger boat as a cook,” Christian explained about why he was considering culinary school.  

While being first mate isn’t the ultimate dream, Christian plans to keep coming out and working with his step dad next summer too. 

“It makes everyone’s lives a lot more relaxed and we have more of a vacation,” Captain Jalil explained about having Christian on board.