Aye Aye, Captain!

Captain Sergio Linares has been making waves as a Marinalife member since 2007. In 2012, he took to the seas captaining an 80-foot Sunseeker named News from St. Augustine, Fla. on a trip north he never thought he would experience. Before News, he was the captain of a 60-foot Sunseeker named Camarada, based in Cancun, Mexico. He had been the captain for six years and became concerned when the owners placed the vessel for sale. On the morning of May 5, 2012, everything changed. A friend of Sergio's phoned in a panic that he would no longer be able to continue his trip to New York as the captain of News and asked Sergio to take over in the middle of the trip captaining a brand new yacht. I will wait for you in St. Augustine, Fla. I already have reservations and a cruise plan done, said Gerry, former captain of News. What to do?

Luckily, the owner of Camarada was happy about the sudden change of plans. Sergio left the boat in Miami and began a new life aboard News. Sergio has shared with us his favorite stops during his trip north from St. Augustine.

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SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

Marina: The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa

(912-201-2021, westinsavannah.com)

‍Highlights: Boaters can tie up at their 600-foot deep-water dock directly on the Savannah River, making this a premier destination for Captain Sergio and the owner of News, Gerardo García. García and his guests enjoyed the luxurious amenities available at the Westin, including a riverside oasis with a heated pool, putting green and driving range. The marina offers a complimentary ferry, which took the crew on the very short ride across the river to River Street, the highlight of downtown Savannah. River Street is filled with century-old buildings converted into boutiques, restaurants and galleries with sounds of saxophones and jazz music everywhere. The crew stopped to devour fresh oysters at The Oyster Bar (411 E. River St., 912-232-1565) where they watched the chef shuck and serve the oysters in seconds flat!

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BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA

Marina: Beaufort Docks

(252-728-2503)

‍Highlights: The superb customer service at the Beaufort Docks made this leg of the trip a highlight for Captain Sergio. The staff at the marina was extremely helpful in giving him local knowledge about navigating through the Pamlico Sound and taking a short cut to their next stop, Coinjock, N.C. They offered the crew wooden nickel drink tokens with the Beaufort stamp on them, which Sergio exchanged for a cold beer at the Dockhouse Restaurant (500 Front St., 252-728-4506), located within walking distance of the marina.

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NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND

Marina: National Harbor Marina

(301-749-1582, thenationalharbormarina.com)

‍Highlights: While in Washington, D.C., the crew was looking for fuel and discovered this little piece of paradise located along the Potomac River. The new and enticing marina offers state-of-the-art floating and fixed docks for boaters only minutes away from Georgetown, Mt. Vernon and Old Town Alexandria. National Harbor itself is a small city with endless shopping, restaurants, hotels, entertainment, festivals and more. Sergio and his crew decided on dinner at Rosa Mexicano (153 Waterfront St., 301-567-1005) located within the National Harbor complex. They thoroughly enjoyed the ambience with bold colors and dramatic spaces featuring everything from tequila bars to tortilla-making stations. The owners and crew also ventured into Washington, D.C. to see the historical sites including the Lincoln Memorial. They also rented bicycles to cruise along the waterfront.

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NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

Marina: Nantucket Boat Basin

(508-325-1350, nantucketboatbasin.com)

‍Highlights: According to Sergio, Nantucket was their favorite stop. The owners took advantage of the White Elephant Spa to get a pampering session with massages. The Boat Basin is located in town just steps away from the finest and freshest dining in the country along with charming boutiques and galleries. While staying at the marina, the crew went to dinner at the Brant Point Grill (50 Easton St., 800-426-8718) located at the White Elephant where they feasted on savory lobster. A visit to the Nantucket Whaling Museum allowed Sergio and his crew to learn more about Nantucket's whaling history.