Captain Nick Appleberry of 86-foot Tomorrow Never Knows on his favorite cruising destinations, building a great team and living in the now
How did you end up getting into yachting?
I purchased a small sailboat and lived aboard for a year while learning to trim the sails, then sold the boat to travel the States and play music. When we returned to California, I decided to make a career in the maritime industry. My first gig was incredible — working as a deckhand on decommissioned naval vessels. We would participate in weapons and system testing exercises, and I even got to role-play as a pirate in live fire simulations with the Navy SEALs. It was a unique experience though not so consistent, so I sought another deckhand position and was hired with a company in Marina del Rey conducting powerboat lessons. Here I met a yacht owner who gave me a chance, and with whom I worked over the next eight years. I worked my way up from deckhand to mate to captain.
If you weren’t a captain, what would you be doing?
Hard to say, but if I had to tap into one of the many parallels, I would go right back to making music. However, moving forward from captaining, I would love to make a retirement from building small craft out of a shop somewhere up north. Woodworking is so satisfying and a skill I desire to hone more in the future.
Where is your favorite cruising destination?
Anywhere in the Pacific due to the variety of sea life you encounter. I will never forget the first time we spotted a mola mola [ocean sunfish] from the deck, weighing several thousands of pounds. We couldn’t believe our eyes! These fish are millions of years old, and so odd. What a treat.
Where is still on your yachting bucket list?
The elusive icy straits of the Northwest Passage, for sure. It remains one of the most adventurous destinations on earth today, only successfully navigated entirely through the water in the early 1900s by Roald Amundsen and a crew of six aboard an ex-fishing boat. It took them three years but they made it.
If you were marooned on a desert island, which crew member would you want with you and why?
No brainer. My lovely wife (and stew) Tracy because she can whip up a meal out of nothing while I forage for anything we could use for survival. Did you say a dessert island? Yum. Maybe we’ll stay.
What is the biggest crew challenge you deal with as captain?
Managing hours of work and rest, especially with a smaller crew. Happy crew, happy client!
What is your top tip for other captains?
Always seek an upgrade in experience. It’s about pay a little, but the experiences pay more.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My father told me as a boy to always live your life in a way that allows you to say, “I’m glad I did” instead of “I wish I had.” He told me this while standing atop a 60-foot granite cliff as I was contemplating the jump into Burntside Lake in Minnesota. I made the leap, and it was the first of many!
What do you look for when hiring new crew?
Integrity first, then qualifications and experience. Sometimes you’re not looking for the best players, you’re looking for the right ones.
What’s a lesson you learned through experience?
You cannot make up for lost time, but you can live now. Sometimes there is no better time than that.
The BOAT International Captains’ Club is a unique group that brings together more than 300 like-minded active superyacht captains for world-class luxury events and networking opportunities in venues and on yachts around the world. For more information, email captainsclub@boatinternationalmedia.com.