Interview with James Campbell from Yacht Ease
So, tell us a little about yourself James. How did this whole Yachting adventure begin?
Well, I grew up on the Norfolk Broads, over 200 miles of inland waterways on the East Coast of the UK. A beautiful place, but as a kid, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about being thrown into boats from an early age. In fact, I used to hide in bushes at the local sailing club just to avoid getting on the water. Very tactical for a future sailor, I know.
But then, I discovered racing. That changed everything. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about being on a boat, it was about the thrill, the competition, the adrenaline. After that, you couldn’t keep me off the water.
I take it sailing became a big part of your life early on?
Oh, absolutely. At school, we sailed four or five times a week during the summer term, and we even tried to get out when possible, in the winter. Needless to say, we had a pretty solid sailing team. My first job at 16 was teaching sailing at the local club, so my summers were always spent on the water.
Then came university, and guess what? I found out I could actually study boats. Mind. Blown. Off I went to Southampton, where, in hindsight, I probably should have studied a little harder. But, hey, sailing was right there!
It sounds like Southampton was a pretty formative time?
Definitely. I spent a lot of time in Hamble, boat building and working in various yards, building, repairing, you name it. But then I thought maybe I should try working in an office, you know, just to see what the other side was like.
So, I found myself at Skandia Life in Southampton. A great company with great people, and conveniently, they were also the title sponsor of Cowes Week, so at least sailing was still in the mix. But my best mate took one look at me in an office and said, “Yeah, this isn’t you.” Turns out, he was spot on.
What happened next?
He recommended me for a yacht delivery from Palma to Plymouth on a Swan 62. I didn’t need to be asked twice. I took a week’s holiday from Skandia, went on the trip, and by the time we arrived in Gosport, I was pretty sure the office life wasn’t my calling. Before I knew it, I was handing in my notice and jumping on another Swan to the Caribbean with an old school friend.
No phone. No email. No idea what I was getting into. It was glorious!
My first job was as a Deckhand on the 152-foot schooner Windrose. Six months later, we’d raced across the Atlantic, and I was flying back to Newport to take a mate’s job on a 100-foot modern classic heading to the Pacific. The next few years were some of the best adventures of my life. No internet, no Instagram, just real, old-school adventure!
Can you share some highlights and maybe a low point or two from your yachting career?
There are plenty! One of the biggest highlights was getting my first captain’s position on the Wally 80 Indio. It was a seriously busy program, racing, cruising, managing chase boats and I was also the engineer. Let’s just say, I learned a lot.
A low point? Well, there was that time in New Zealand when I took over as captain on Mystery, a Swan 112. We had a tight weather window to leave, so off we went with just a portable sat phone for comms, as the accounts were still getting set up.
We hit some fairly big weather on the way to Tahiti, but nothing we couldn’t handle. Then we arrived and… surprise! Half the rudder (six feet of it) was missing. Not exactly a small problem.
First phone call to the boss: “Hey, we made it to Tahiti! Oh, by the way, we’re missing half the rudder.”
I still maintain it must have been a whale. We ended up patching it up underwater with a metal cup over the bottom and managed to sail all the way to the Caribbean.
Good times! ☺
With all this on-going excitement, what made you decide it was time to move to land?
Family. I met my wife, and we wanted to start a family. Being away for long periods wasn’t exactly conducive to that, so it was time for the big transition. We moved back to Devon in the UK, which was a big change, but the right one.
How did you find the transition to Spain?
Oh, absolutely. Moving from the UK to Spain added another layer of complexity, especially with Brexit looming. It was strange because while we were moving to Spain, a lot of people were heading back to the UK.
One of the biggest challenges? Staying in touch with friends and family. Flights during school holidays are ridiculously expensive, and it’s not always easy to make quick trips back. I definitely miss seeing my UK friends more often.
So, tell us, what business are you in now?
We’ve launched YACHT EASE SL, a company dedicated to making yacht ownership as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Think of us as your shore-based crew, always on hand but never in the way!
I love the name! What’s your overall goal?
Our mission is simple: enhance our clients’ yacht ownership experience. We take care of the yacht as a professional onboard crew would, but without actually living on the boat. That means no additional liabilities for the owner, just the peace of mind that everything is taken care of.
We ensure the yacht is always serviced and maintained to the highest standard. Plus, we offer a unique one-way cruise service, so owners can explore further without worrying about getting the boat back to its original berth. We’ll handle that!
Sounds like a game-changer. Who’s your target market?
We primarily cater to owner-driven yachts between 50 to 80 feet. A lot of our clients are either experienced owners who want top-notch care for their vessel or newer skippers who appreciate having a professional team on standby for support.
Beyond yacht preparation, we continue to assist owners while they’re cruising. We provide local area knowledge, weather updates, and are always available in case of breakdowns or emergencies. Essentially, we’re professional yacht crew, just based onshore!
And what does ‘shore-based crew’ really mean for your clients?
It means their yacht is always in prime condition, ready to go at a moment’s notice. We schedule interval services, system checks, fluid checks, and routine walk-throughs. We also keep detailed service records onboard. Owners stay informed via email, WhatsApp, or phone, whatever they prefer. Transparency and communication are key!
That level of service must be a relief for owners. What about refit projects and overhauls?
That’s where our project management comes in. When a yacht is hauled out for upgrades or service, we’re on-site, overseeing everything. We manage subcontractors, ensure deadlines are met, and keep costs under control, all without cutting corners.
Anyone who’s been through a yard period knows how chaotic it can get. Our job is to make sure things run as smoothly as possible, on time, and within budget.
It sounds like you offer the benefits of a crewed yacht without some of the complications.
Exactly! Owners get the highest level of service without the intrusion of personal space or the legal and financial responsibilities of crew contracts. We take care of everything behind the scenes, so they can just enjoy their time on the water.
And you’re purely focused on yacht management?
That’s right. We’re not charter agents or yacht brokers, so there’s no conflict of interest. Our sole focus is on keeping yachts in top shape and ensuring owners have a stress-free experience.
There are plenty of yacht management companies in Palma. What sets YACHT EASE apart?
A lot of companies offer basic Guardianage services, checking in on boats while the owner is away. We go beyond that with full-service management and maintenance. Our approach is proactive, ensuring everything is running smoothly before issues arise.
And most importantly, our clients know that when they’re not here, we are! 24/7, boots on the ground, come rain or shine, making sure their yacht is in the best hands.
We’re bringing a fresh approach to yacht management, and our clients love the freedom and confidence that comes with it. After all, yacht ownership should be about enjoying the open water, not stressing over maintenance!
What do you miss most about yachting?
The paycheck! And having a chef, a steward, and an engineer.
No, but seriously, what I really miss is the sense of adventure. When I first started, everything was new. You’d arrive somewhere with no idea what to expect. Now, you can just Google everything, and it takes away that sense of discovery. There was something magical about figuring things out as you went.
Any advice for fellow yachties thinking about going land-based?
Have a plan. Be positive about it. And don’t be afraid to ask friends for help. There’s a whole network of people who have made the transition, and they’re usually more than happy to help out.
Solid advice. Any final thoughts?
Just that I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s been an amazing journey, and while life on land is different, it’s a new adventure in its own way. And who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll be back on the water, just in a different capacity.
It all sounds very exciting James, I wish you and your team the very best of luck for the future!
Thank you for sharing your story!
My pleasure! Thanks for having me!
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