The Crew


Matt, Head Helmer

After finishing college and helping at a Music Licensing start-up he jumped on his best friends’ family’s 40ft sailboat. Starting in Western Australia, he crossed the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean. After 2 years of cruising, he decided he would head back to the United States to work and get his Master’s Degree in business. Right before his graduation, he met Devin and got a great job as a software Project Manager. They purchased a house in Portland, OR, got married, renovated the house, and sold it 5 years later. All the while Matt’s hard work in software project management has led him to a management position that he can do from anywhere while he follows his dreams of sailing the world.


Devin, Strategy Skipper

Devin caught the traveling bug in university when she toured around Italy, France, and Switzerland performing with her cohorts in their University Choir. After that, she came home and finished university and never lost the dream to see as much of the world as possible. She ventured out to explore other countries with friends and during her second date with Matt, she said “wouldn’t it be cool to sail around the world?” which created a picture of what her future could look like. She followed her dreams and it led her to say “Yes” to Matt and all they could do together.

Brizo, Executive Explorer

Logbook Entry: S/V Yara
Skipper’s Notes – Regarding the Cat
Date: Eternal Twilight
Latitude: Unknown—she disappeared ten minutes ago
Weather: Still. Too still. She’s plotting something.

Brizo, the ship’s feline officer, is a sleek, black enigma with claws like fishhooks and a stare that makes grown sailors rethink their choices. Named after the ancient Greek goddess of sailors’ dreams, she carries herself accordingly—silent, commanding, and slightly disapproving of everyone’s general existence.

While Admiral Tiller runs the boat by day, Brizo claims dominion by dusk. She slinks through the shadows of Yara like smoke through the rigging—appearing where you least expect her, usually just as you've let your guard down with a snack in hand. Exploration is her true calling. Lockers, lazarettes, engine bays—no space is too tight, no hatch too closed. If it opens, she’s been inside it.

She shows no fear of dogs, dinghies, or dinghies with dogs. Tiller gives chase; Brizo gives side-eye. Conflict is rare, but when it comes, she wins with quiet dignity and a single well-timed swat.

Though she rarely asks for affection, she demands admiration. At night, she keeps silent watch from the boom or bowsprit, eyes glinting in the moonlight like distant running lights. We suspect she communes with the sea gods.

Aboard Yara, Brizo is not merely a pet—she is a presence. A shadow with whiskers. A hunter of moths. The true captain, perhaps… and we’re just the crew.

— Logged cautiously,
The Human Crew (under constant surveillance)


Commanding Captain

Logbook Entry: S/V Yara
Skipper’s Notes – Regarding the Admiral
Date: Ongoing
Latitude: Somewhere between the treat locker and the beach
Weather: Sunny, with a 100% chance of bossiness

Admiral Tiller, our 7-pound Pomeranian–Shih Tzu mix, may be small, but she’s got the heart of a blue whale and the stance of a pit bull—wide-legged, proud, and ready for action (or at least for a walk). Her signature underbite adds a dash of permanent determination to her already expressive face, while her bright eyes scan the horizon for anything that might need supervision—or sniffing.

Tiller runs a tight but cheerful ship aboard Yara. She’s the official deck greeter, galley shadow, and beach expedition leader. Shore leave with Dad is her favorite time of day, when she zooms down the sand like she’s chasing down rogue dinghies. Back on board, she snuggles into the V-berth with Mom for well-earned naps, while her tiny ears flop forward like luffing sails as she starts to drift off.

She may give a bossy bark now and then (especially if someone’s late with treats), but her charm is undeniable. From her confident strut to the way she diligently guards her favorite chews, Tiller brings joy, mischief, and a whole lot of love to life aboard.

She’s our Admiral, our alarm system, and our constant reminder that even the smallest crew member can have the biggest presence.

— Logged with adoration,
The Human Crew