About Sail Connections

Connecting People Everywhere to the Best Sailing Vacations Anywhere

For more than three decades the Sail Connections team has been introducing people to the pleasures of bareboating and crewed sailboat charter holidays all around the world. Our mission: to put you aboard the best charter sailboat in the destination of your dreams at the price that fits your 

Whether you are an experienced crew of mariners looking for a full bareboat adventure, an occasional sailor leading a group of family or friends on vacation, or a sailing novice with the dream of going places and getting there under sail, we can put you on a boat charter in any one of the world's amazing sailing destinations.

Our service is ruled by personal communications, not algorithms. We talk to you and help you find the right boat in the right place to meet your group objectives in the style that fits your budget. Our services include full bareboat, crewed bareboat and fully crewed scheduled charters. We are also a referral point for sailing professionals conducting occasional sailboat tours who take bookings by the cabin.

Sail Connections was founded in 1990, with the current owners operating the business since 2010. Over that time we have continued to build an international reputation for excellence in charter boat services. We are proud of our record in helping people everywhere experience the joys of sailing on vacation.

At Sail Connections, our passion is yachting. Our pledge is to make the right connections for the greatest sailing adventure you can imagine.

Meet our team of charter sailing consultants

Robert Cross, Director and Sales. Robert has been sailing all his life. Starting out holidaying on the family keelboat in northern New Zealand, in his 20s he worked as skipper for a yacht charter company in the Ionian Islands of Greece. Returning to New Zealand Robert gained blue water sailing experience and enjoyed the thrills of racing his Elliott 5.9 trailer yacht, later moving up to another Elliot design, the 44 foot pilothouse yacht Vavoom.

Robert purchased Sail Connections in 2010. It's a vocation and a pursuit that lets him share with others his passion for yachting and sailing holidays. When not travelling to explore new waters and research the best charter destinations and operators world-wide, Robert enjoys the sailing paradise of New Zealand's Bay of Islands. During the slow times of Covid, Robert sold Vavoom and for the next three years worked mainly solo building a new boat from the same stable - the now completed  Elliot 1150 Tourer Denim. 

Robert is on deck to personally advise you on your sailing holiday plans. He's an enthusiastic and experienced sailor and traveller who takes great joy in sharing his boat and destination knowledge so you can get the very best charter experience. Contact Robert.

Sue Assad, Sales Processing. Sue has responsibility for the very important customer service operations, personally assisting charterers with all their sailing holiday arrangements. Sue expertly provides the vital link between charterer and charter operator from signing up to casting off and beyond.

Sue is an experienced sailor and has worked on yacht crews around the world. She hails from South Africa, and after a period living in New Zealand with her family is now back in her home country. Her working hours are therefore ideal for supporting our European and American clients and providers. Contact Sue.

Brian Cross, Marketing and Administration. Brian is responsible for Sail Connections' marketing function - which primarily means keeping the website up to date with relevant information on sailing destinations worldwide, the boats available to charter there, and all the things that go to make for a successful sailing holiday venture. 

With sailing in the blood and plenty of yachting experience in his younger days, Brian talks the charter business language. He also calls on many years' experience in organisations large and small to provide system and strategic support and keep the backroom routines ticking. Brian works from home in Canterbury, NZ, where these days it's mainly his equine interests that keep him active in his spare time. Contact Brian.