Meet Our Captains & Crew
Our team of licensed captains and experienced crew bring a wealth of diverse backgrounds—from racing inland lakes and cruising the Caribbean to delivering international charters and teaching new sailors. With thousands of nautical miles under their belts, they’re united by a shared passion for the sailing lifestyle and a commitment to delivering exceptional, safe, and personalized experiences on the water. Whether you’re seeking hands-on learning, local insight, or just the perfect place to unwind, our crew is here to make your time aboard unforgettable.
Captain Shawn & Crew Mary
Location: Bahamas – Exumas
Bio (short version): Shawn and Mary are lifelong adventurers with decades of experience cruising the Bahamas and Florida Keys aboard luxury catamarans. Passionate about helping first-time sailors gain confidence, they offer hands-on instruction and authentic insight into the coastal cruising lifestyle. Whether you’re here to relax or learn, Shawn and Mary will make your experience unforgettable.
Captain Jose Velez
Location: Florida Keys
Experience: 200-ton USCG Master | 30+ years boating | USVI & BVI charters
Specialty: Custom charter design, guest experience, safety-first instruction
Bio: (short version) With over three decades on the water and a career that spans sailing, engineering, and entrepreneurship, Captain Jose combines deep knowledge with a relaxed, professional style. From the USVI to the Florida Keys, he’s helped guests craft unforgettable, custom sailing experiences—with a special passion for history, nature, and teaching. Whether you want to learn the ropes or just relax, Jose will make sure your charter is smooth, safe, and uniquely yours.
Captain Tanner Dixon & Crew Selina Madden
Location: Florida Keys
Experience: 10+ years liveaboard & cruising
Specialty: Hands-on sailing education, vessel orientation, Florida Keys local knowledge
Bio: (short version) Tanner and Selina have spent the last decade living, working, and sailing full-time aboard their own cruising sailboats. From the Florida Keys to Central America and the Bahamas, this passionate couple brings deep expertise and an infectious love for sailing. Whether it’s your first time aboard or your first taste of the cruising lifestyle, they’ll help you learn, relax, and experience the magic of life under sail.
Full Bios
⛵Meet Your Captain and Crew: Shawn & Mary
Your Bahamas Guides to the Cruising Life Aboard The Cathouse
Shawn and Mary are more than just seasoned sailors—they’re passionate guides eager to share the beauty, rhythm, and joy of coastal cruising with new catamaran enthusiasts.
Shawn first discovered sailing as a young boy, introduced to the water by his parents at the age of five. By eight, he was enrolled in sailing school on Michigan’s Coldwater Lake, quickly moving into racing Sunfish, Rebels, and Hobie Cats in weekend regattas. Now, with over 50 years of boating experience behind him—including time spent on hundreds of sailing and motor vessels across the Great Lakes, Alaska, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean—Shawn has truly lived a life shaped by wind, water, and adventure.
Over the past decade, Shawn and Mary have logged thousands of hours cruising aboard 50+ foot catamarans through the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys and Bahamas. They are firm believers in hands-on learning and love helping new catamaran lovers gain real-world ocean sailing knowledge—offering not just a luxury escape, but an immersive introduction to the coastal sailing lifestyle.
When not on board The Cathouse, Shawn and Mary can be found enjoying time with their grandchildren in Michigan, cruising the western states on their motorcycles, or flying their floatplane into the wilds of Alaska.
With warmth, patience, and a deep love for life on the water, Shawn and Mary are excited to welcome you aboard and help you start your own sailing journey in the stunning Exumas.
⚓ Meet Your Captain: Jose Velez
Professional. Personable. Passionate about creating unforgettable FL Keyes sailing experiences.
Captain Jose Velez brings a rare blend of top-tier maritime credentials, deep regional knowledge, and a warm, professional presence to every charter he leads. With a 200-ton USCG Master License for both power and sail—plus multiple endorsements and STCW certification—Jose’s foundation as a captain is built on decades of experience, safety, and leadership on the water.
Jose’s journey began with a childhood full of boating, water skiing, and scuba diving in upstate New York. As an Eagle Scout and former Waterfront Director at summer camp, his dedication to water safety and mentorship started early. His first professional boating roles took him to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he captained large vessels carrying up to 349 passengers daily, later expanding into term charters across the British Virgin Islands. His focus on guest experience, discretion, and smooth scheduling earned him repeat clients who valued both fun and professionalism.
With a strong passion for local history and the natural world, Jose’s charters often highlight the unique environmental and cultural features of the Florida Keys and surrounding waters. Whether you’re looking for laid-back sailing, island hopping, or a more in-depth educational journey, Captain Jose loves tailoring each trip to match your pace and personality.
Beyond the helm, Jose holds a BS in Quantitative Methods of Management and spent years as a successful engineer, entrepreneur, and land developer. That same attention to detail, planning, and client satisfaction now fuels his approach to sailing. He brings a wealth of practical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a mindset focused on making your charter smooth, safe, and extraordinary.
Jose thrives on helping new and aspiring cruisers gain firsthand experience with the catamaran lifestyle—so whether it’s your first step aboard or your next adventure, he’s here to make sure it’s memorable in every way.
🌴 Meet Your Captains & Crew: Tanner & Selina
Your Hosts in the Florida Keys Aboard The Cathouse
Tanner and Selina are a dynamic duo with over a decade of full-time liveaboard and cruising experience, and they are passionate about helping newcomers discover the freedom and fun of the coastal sailing lifestyle.
Raised on the waters of Florida, Captain Tanner Dixon brings a lifetime of local knowledge and hands-on marine expertise. From his early days learning mechanics, fiberglass work, and boat detailing, Tanner combined his skills and love of the ocean into a life of sailing. After restoring and cruising his own Pearson Alberg 30, he met Selina—a fellow Floridian with a strong background in vessel management and boater safety. From the start, they shared a vision: live, work, and explore by sail.
Together, Tanner and Selina have refit, lived aboard, and cruised several vessels—most notably a custom steel Barens Seatrader that took them on a year-long voyage through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. Upon returning to the U.S., Tanner earned his USCG 100-Ton Master License with a towing endorsement, and they both made the Florida Keys their home base while continuing to work full-time in the marine industry.
Their wide-ranging experience includes sail and canvas repair, rigging, electrical, and vessel education. They’ve delivered boats for private owners and companies like Dream Yacht Charters and have helped countless new sailors learn the ropes, from boat orientation to full-day adventures under sail.
Whether you’re seeking your first taste of liveaboard cruising, dreaming of your own catamaran adventure, or just want to experience life under sail with two seasoned professionals, Tanner and Selina are ready to welcome you aboard and share their passion for sailing the Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas, and the Bahamas.
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