Your Adventure Starts with Us
We believe that the best sailing adventures happen when you feel completely at home with your crew. Rob and Emily aren't just your captain and first mate—they're your guides to authentic Bahamian life, and your friends who happen to live an extraordinary lifestyle.
What makes Breaking Free Sailing different isn't just our boat or our destinations. It's the people behind the experience. Rob and Emily have spent nine years sailing together—seven years on the Great Lakes with occasional trips to the US and British Virgin Islands, followed by two years exploring the Bahamas. They've created the ideal charter experience by combining technical expertise with genuine hospitality, safety with adventure, and professional service with authentic friendship.
Captain Rob: Five Decades of Sailing, A Lifetime of Stories
"If we're not having fun why are we doing it?"
— Captain Rob on living a traditional lifestyle
Rob has been sailing since 1972, accumulating over five decades of experience on waters from the Great Lakes to the Bahamas. As a USCG 50 Ton Near Coastal Master, he brings both the credentials and the real-world knowledge that only comes from a lifetime on the water.
What makes Rob special isn't just his technical expertise—it's his genuine love for sailing and his naturally open, talkative personality. He's the kind of captain who's always ready to share a story about their sailing journey together or explain what's happening with the wind and sails, but only if you're interested. His open-minded approach to life creates a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable being themselves.
Complete Freedom of Choice
The beauty of sailing with Rob is complete freedom of choice. Want to get involved with sailing? He's patient and hands-on, creating mental images of the concepts behind sailing. Prefer to just relax and enjoy the experience? That's perfectly fine too. Rob is more than capable operating the boat on his own or with the help of his Admiral / First Mate Emily.
What You Can Expect from Rob:
- Patient, hands-on teaching focusing on the core concepts if you want to learn
- No sailing experience required—all comfort levels welcome
- Take the helm with captain backup or simply enjoy the ride
- Stories and philosophy about choosing freedom over the security of land life
- Genuine support for whatever experience you're seeking
Admiral Emily: Water Enthusiast, Culinary Artist, Adventure Catalyst
"Life is meant to be lived fully—whether that's diving into crystal-clear Bahamian waters, creating a meal that brings everyone together, or saying yes to an unexpected adventure."
— Admiral Emily
Emily is the kind of person who makes everyone feel instantly at home aboard Bon Bida. As our Admiral, First Mate, Chef, and Aquatics Director, she seamlessly handles multiple roles while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun.
Born for the Water
Emily's love for the water runs deep—you'll often find her floating in the most stunning spots around the Exumas, completely content and perfectly sun-kissed. As Aquatics Director, she knows the best snorkeling spots, the clearest swimming areas, and where to find the most beautiful underwater views. Her enthusiasm for water activities comes naturally, but she's just as happy lounging in the sun.
Bringing Everyone Together
With all inclusive charters, Emily handles the galley duties with genuine care, creating meals that bring everyone together. Whether it's her popular boat brownies, a well-arranged charcuterie board, stuffed chicken with prosciutto and provolone, or simple comfort foods like spaghetti and bacon and eggs, she focuses on food that satisfies and connects people around the table.
What You Can Expect from Emily:
- Expert guidance for water activities and Exumas exploration
- Meals that bring everyone together around the table
- Natural enthusiasm for adventure and new experiences
- A welcoming space to be completely yourself
- Genuine connections with people living an extraordinary life
Safety & Expertise You Can Trust
Rob's decades of experience and USCG credentials ensure you're in capable hands navigating the Exumas' waters, while Emily's aquatics expertise and local knowledge keep everyone safe and engaged during water activities.
Flexible Experience, Genuine Hospitality
Whether you want to learn everything about sailing or simply relax and enjoy the ride, Rob and Emily adapt to your comfort level. This isn't a job for them—they genuinely care about creating meaningful experiences. Emily's culinary skills and warm personality combine with Rob's storytelling and teaching passion to create an atmosphere where genuine connections flourish naturally.
Their complementary skills and shared philosophy of authentic living create a charter experience that's both professionally excellent and personally enriching. You're not just passengers on their boat—you're welcomed into their chosen lifestyle and given the freedom to engage with it exactly how you want.
What Makes This Different
Sailing with Rob and Emily means joining a crew that values living your best life, exactly how you would envision it. They've chosen to live this extraordinary life not as an escape from reality, but as their authentic reality.
When you step aboard Bon Bida, you're entering their world—a world where daily adventure is normal, where people can be completely themselves, and where the focus is on experiences that create lasting memories rather than transactions that create temporary satisfaction.
More Than Just a Charter
What you'll discover is that Rob and Emily aren't just running a charter business—they're sharing their chosen lifestyle with people who need a break from their daily routine. Every meal Emily prepares, every story Rob shares, every anchorage they choose is part of their genuine daily life, not a performance for guests.
This approach creates something rare in the charter world: the feeling that you're sailing with friends who happen to live an extraordinary life, rather than being served by professionals who are performing a job.