Jill Zwaans is today known in yachting circles as the founder of YACHT STORY, but her connection to the sea began long before brokerage meetings, and charter itineraries. It started aboard her family’s Moody 54, based in Palma de Mallorca, where childhood holidays were spent on Mediterranean waters. Those early experiences laid the quiet foundations for a journey that would eventually lead from a young girl growing up on deck to a respected professional in the world of yacht charter.
Growing up in a sailing family with your family’s yacht based in Palma, what are your earliest memories of life around the marina and at sea?
My earliest real memory at sea was joining my father when our Moody yacht was delivered and sailed from Southampton across the North Sea. The conditions were rough and far from idyllic, but I loved every moment of it. It wasn’t postcard sailing—it was real seamanship. Arriving safely in a marina always felt like an achievement, something to celebrate on land with the rest of the crew. That sense of shared accomplishment stayed with me from a very young age.
How did that environment shape your sense of adventure and comfort on the water?
After that maiden trip and several crossings that followed, you quickly learn how vulnerable you can be at sea — and that vulnerability is exactly what makes it fascinating. Life on board is dictated by tide, wind, and daylight, and adapting to nature rather than controlling it has always attracted me. Because I started sailing courses at a young age, I felt comfortable and confident on board, even in challenging conditions. I knew what was expected of me. My mother, who hadn’t had that same training, was far less relaxed — she would panic when the boat heeled just 15 degrees, while my siblings and I were shouting for more.
Palma is such a crossroads for the Mediterranean yachting scene. As a young sailor, what did you observe about the mix of cruising families, professional crews, and large yachts that most influenced you?
As a child, especially during sailing camps, I always carried a notebook where I wrote down everything I learned — not just about sailing, but also about the yachts I encountered and the crews I met. Palma felt like a living playground where everything I had written about came together. I was particularly fascinated by larger yachts, their crews, and the entire operation behind them. Being able to attend events like the Palma Superyacht Cup put me right in the middle of that world, something I still cherish today. I often invited school friends to sail with us, genuinely surprised that not everyone shared my enthusiasm. For me, being at sea felt like something everyone should love.
Family sailing often means learning by doing. What practical skills or “unwritten rules of the sea” did you pick up early that later proved invaluable when you started working with yachts?
My father would enjoy this question. He was very strict about what he called the “principles of the sea.” We learned early on never to step on board with black-soled shoes, to always use correct nautical terminology, to tie the right knots, to lower the flag only at sundown, to keep one hand on the rail, to climb ladders facing forward, to never bring hard-shell suitcases, and to always keep a firm grip on the ropes when easing a winch. He also taught us never to blindly trust the autopilot. At the time, we laughed about these rules — but today I find myself passing on the exact same lessons to my own children.
Was there a specific voyage or moment during your youth that made you realise the sea would be more than just a family pastime for you? What made that experience stand out?
I spent a lot of time talking about boats and yachts with my grandfather. He had worked closely with Carlo Riva, building some of the very first Riva yachts, including AKALI (now A&A), and later assisting with the construction of VESPUCCI. He eventually purchased AKALI for his own family, and my father spent many of his childhood holidays on board. One day, my grandfather showed me old films of those family trips — waterskiing behind a Riva Aquarama Special, holidays with a full crew, my aunts sunbathing on deck, and my uncles gathered around the table for family and business conversations. Watching those films and seeing the emotion in my grandfather’s eyes made something click. I realised that this feeling — connection, happiness, intensity, and freedom — was something I wanted to share with others.
When you transitioned from sailing with family to working professionally with yachts, what felt familiar — and what was a shock to the system?
What felt familiar was the joy, freedom, and sense of adventure that yachting can provide — and the satisfaction of creating those experiences for others. What came as a shock was understanding the level of responsibility, precision, and professionalism required when a yacht becomes a business rather than a family asset. The expectations are higher, the pressure is different, and every detail truly matters.
Palma is often a first hub for crew starting out. How did being based there influence your early career opportunities, connections, and understanding of the industry?
Being based in Palma placed me right in the heart of the Mediterranean yachting scene. It allowed me to explore the region by sea, participate in major events like the Superyacht Cups, and build long-lasting industry relationships. Many of the contacts I made back then are still people I call friends today. Having a cousin already working in the industry also helped — he supported me in securing an internship with a major yachting company in Monaco while I was still studying. In many ways, my childhood notebook started becoming reality.
Looking back, how did your time onboard shape the way you later approached the charter world and client expectations at YACHT STORY?
Yachting is a lifestyle shared by a relatively small community of people who truly understand and appreciate it. To be taken seriously in this industry, you need real experience — you need to have lived it. Most of my clients are first-time charterers or have never stepped on a yacht before, and that’s perfectly fine. My own background allows me to guide them with confidence, speak their language, and make the experience approachable. I know that once someone experiences their first charter, the vast majority come back year after year.
What makes YACHT STORY stand out from other charter brokers?
At YACHT STORY, we focus on making the process for owners and clients first of all easy, accessible, and inspiring. I want to understand the true reason behind each booking and match clients with the yacht that best suits their needs. Our personal approach is what clients appreciate most, along with our in-depth knowledge of exceptional yachting destinations around the world. We don’t just sell charters — we help to make memories at sea. 😉
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