Services.
Captaincy · Voyage · Training
Safe. Reliable. Experienced.
Whether you need a captain for a day, a week, a month or more, with or without crew, CaptainPacific™ can provide you with a safe, reliable and memorable experience. Based in Australia, Fiji and Hawaii, sailing the Pacific Ocean is Captain Papay’s home away from home. Email is the preferred method of contact, please allow 7-10 days for a reply, to account for time away at sea when satellite contact is by invitation only.
Where to Start
Planning your voyage requires skill. First the route is selected, then the best time of year according to the weather patterns is determined. Next, the vessel needs to be in seaworthy condition, a survey is ideal. Captain Papay always carries out his own inspection prior to departing, all necessary repairs are completed, spare parts, provisions and backup options are implemented.
Learn to sail.
Martin is passionate about teaching. You are never to young or too old to learn the art of sailing, whether you are a couple starting your nomad adventures or a family wanting to sail the Pacific islands, Martin can help you gain the confidence needed to enjoy your travels.
Yacht Delivery & Voyages.
Since 1996.
Martin first began his career in maritime as a dive instructor. Teaching has always been his passion, building trust with students, sharing his enthusiasm for the ocean and life at sea. Martin is happiest in nature, exploring the environment by yacht, SUP, kayak, on foot or bicycle. He is always learning and developing new skills.
Whilst living alone on a remote island, as a caretaker for 2 years, during the onset of the COVID lock downs, being self-sufficient was essential. At the heart of Martin’s passion for sustainable living is his knowledge of native edible’s. Together, with his fishing skills and his joy of living abundantly for less, Martin is always open to sharing his recipes which are a culinary experience.
Pacific Ocean · Atlantic
Interested in delivery and cruising the Pacific and Aatlantic Oceans. Offshore passage as Captain or Skipper, Delivery Crew, 1st Mate or Officer, Crew or Navigator. Vessels preferably over 15 metres (49 ft) in length.
Dock to dock deliveries.
YACHT DELIVERY
Currently captain and head of maintenance on a 73 ft Formosa (have flexibility to do other work when needed).
2023 May/June/July, Leopard Catamaran, 48ft, Tahiti to Samoa to Fiji. Care taking and preparation for sale.
2023 April, Deerfoot 62ft Sloop , American Samoa to Aitutaki to Bora Bora.
2022 August, Deerfoot 62 (Steve Dashew design) , Fiji to Vanuatu back to Fiji.
2021 delivered a 44 ft Fountain Paijot Tonga to Fiji whilst towing another cat behind, singlehanded.
2019, captained a 53 ft ketch from Fiji to Hawaii, training up the new owner on the way.
2019 captained a 73 ft ketch from Fiji to Noumea to Australia ( 2022 I captain and maintain this vessel when needed)
2021 Single handed two boats simultaneously (towing one behind the other ) from Tonga to Fiji.
And many more.
2007 delivered 50ft yacht from Australia to New Zealand 1500 miles, 28 days due to whale strike removing rudder. So last 900 miles with jury rigged rudder- bridle streaming knotted line and anchor. Used this system to get to NZ round the top and into Bay of Islands. Have done the same passage in 7 , 8 and 9 days.
2007, 6 months captaining a 60ft private,luxury, racing catamaran around the Caribbean with the couple who owned the boat. Carbon fiber rotating mast , huge roached main, and sleek hulls, we got upto 28 knots boat speed.
OCEANIC VOYAGES
2 year voyage as captain on a 64ft (Steve Dashew designed "Sundeer") fast ketch.From the Caribbean to USA (up and down the east coast, then on to Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica. Through Panama canal and across Pacific-Galap, Tuamotos, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji etc to Australia. Finishing up in New Zealand. Also sailed Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand etc..
Specialize in teaching new owners how to sail, operate,maintain and fix near all systems on their yachts. Have a black belt in jury rigging.
Captained vessels upto 78ft and 40 tons, first mate vessels upto 150ft.STCW 95, AMSA medical, Senior First Aid, fire fighting,radio operator, very experienced navigator,PADI dive instructor.
Excellent maintenance, fabrication, and problem solving skills.
Also experienced in running\captaining of overnight dive vessels(5 star). PADI dive instructor and marine guide. Worked on vessels as; host; deckhand;cook for upto 17 guests on overnight charters; photo/videographer ;tour guide; salvage diver/underwater maintenance.
Captained brand new 48ft Tayana to New Zealand (boatshow). Captain on Sundeer 64ft ketch ( Steve Dashew design) sailing around Virgin Islands to Bermuda,through Chesapeake up coast to NYC . Turning back south at Nantucket sailing coastal (many stops along east coast) down to Florida , Bahamas, Turks, Jamaica, through the Panama Canal, to Galapagos, then 3200 mile passage to Marquesas ( Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva, Tahuata,Nuka Hiva,) onto Tuamotos, Rangiora, Tahiti, Morea, Huahine, Bora Bora, Palmerston Island, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia.. etc, etc...
Some of my favourites
I’ve had many memorable voyages, each with their set of challenges but this is where I thrive, living off grid, sailing from one place to another…
64 ft Carbon Fibre Gun Boat
64 ft Sundeer
73 ft Formosa
FAQs
Where We’ve Been
How many countries have you resided in? (30)
Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hungary, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Panama, Saint Martin (FR), Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Tonga, Turks & Caicos Islands and the United States.
How many countries have you visited? (30)
American Samoa, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Panama, Samoa, Singapore, Sint Maarten (NL), South Africa, and Switzerland.
What are your key strengths and interests?
My two best strengths are selfsufficiency and boats. I have captained many hi-tech yachts and taught the owners how to maintain and safely operate their yachts. I work well with and without owners, teaching what I know about boats as a team. I can be captain, mate that helps owners learn to manage their boat better, or highly experienced crew. I also caretake remote islands, so have a good knowledge of systems , repairs and improvements.
How do you teach new boat owners to maneuver their vessel?
For new owners, captains, I set up floats that are arranged similar to berths or docks that one may encounter. We work together learning how to maneuver the yacht in to tight spaces without the risk of damaging the boat at a dock.
Do you have experience with charters?
Managed classic charter boat company in Whitsundays. Spent many a month refitting vessels. Worked in 22 different shipyards in 14 different countries ( I like to know as much about a vessel as possible, especially before heading offshore.)
“To me the greatest assets in life are happiness, health and knowledge.”