Meet Carole Noska of Sail JADA Charters LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carole Noska

Hi Carole, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I moved to San Diego in the late 90s I was working as wine broker and a meeting planner. I was itching to get out on the water, so I bought a boat at a bankruptcy auction. I intended to host kids for scouting merit badges and youth from boys and girls clubs to give low-income kids a chance to get out on the water. A few years into the restoration of JADA, I was laid off from the Salk Institute where I was the director of events for over 10 years, due to the recession. I realized the boat needed to start making money to pay for her slip fees and my mortgage. I was about to lose my house, so I needed to get very creative about how to develop referral partnerships to increase the cruising business. Luckily, I realized that as an event planner I simply needed to facilitate events on yachts instead of in ballrooms and restaurants. I love helping people celebrate special occasions in fun and creative ways. 20 years later, we do over 200 charters on my classic sailing yacht JADA and I partner with a whole host of other vessels, large and small, motor, sail and catamaran. It’s a wonderful charter community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been plenty of challenges over the 20 years. 2 recessions, and a pandemic where a big hit on recreational cruising. An influx of illegal charters cut into profits. over the last 10 years. The last few wet winters has impacted revenues.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sail JADA Charters LLC?
The primary physical asset in the company is a historic sailing yacht named JADA built in 1938 by the Axelson family. The wooden boat is a treasure. She was originally custom built as a trans pacific race boat. She has raced and won races, to Hawaii and Tahiti several times. She has hosted a multitude of celebrities over the years. If her walls could talk!!! The non-tangible asset is the skilled, enthusiastic, attentive and compassionate crew. We are known for providing extraordinary customer service for the past 20 years. The crew is well trained and coast guard approved for safety. This extraordinary partnership of a rare boat and a fabulous crew make for a memorable cruise for guest’s celebrations including: birthdays, family reunions, weddings and wedding related celebrations, film and photography shoots, scouting outings and burials at seas/ash scatterings. It is fantastic to be part of people’s most pivotal life experiences on one hand and just out for a casual afternoon sail on the other. JADA is a sweet ride enjoyed by young and old alike.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
At my age, I am the mentor. I really enjoy working with students for their practical internships from the local universities. I’ve recently been talking with the Maritime Preservation Fund. They are intending to teach the next generation how to take care of wooden boats. It’s an art and a craft.

I have also benefited from relationships with charter partners who have been in the maritime industry longer than me. There is nothing like personal experience to guide the way.

Pricing:

• A charter on JADA is the most cost effective of all the legal charter vessels in San Diego that are coast guard inspected for 38 people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.burialsatseasandiego.com/ https://www.sailjada.com
• Instagram: @sailjada
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailjada/ https://www.facebook.com/burialsatseasandiego/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sail+jada+charters
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/sail-jada-charters-san-diego https://www.yelp.ca/biz/burials-at-sea-san-diego