Yacht Ownership Made Easy: Richard & Deborah’s Journey Aboard Moorings 464PC - GRACE
From Novice Dreamers to Two-Time Yacht Owners: James & Kara’s Moorings Journey
For James and Kara Abraham, yacht ownership wasn’t something they imagined for their future. In fact, before becoming Moorings owners, they had never even sailed before.
But what they lacked in sailing skills, they more than made up for in curiosity, a love for travel, and a spark of inspiration from watching YouTube sailing videos. And that spark grew into a reality when they discovered The Moorings Yacht Ownership Program. A program they say has been truly “life-changing”.
And today, these novice dreamers are already on their second yacht with The Moorings Yacht Ownership Program, sailing the Abacos aboard their Moorings 5000, Gold Digger. Their story is one of inspiration, community, and the life-changing adventure that comes with joining the Moorings Owners family.
The Spark of Inspiration
Like many modern-day sailors, James and Kara’s first taste of the sailing lifestyle came not on the water but online.
“Kind of what inspired us to even own a boat is just watching YouTube,” James recalls. “Seeing people out there having fun, chilling out, and going to new spots we had never even thought about.”
The more they watched, the more the dream grew. And eventually, curiosity led them to the Miami International Boat Show, where they hoped to learn how “the other half” managed to own such impressive yachts.
While visiting the Miami Boat Show, they wandered from one manufacturer to another, curious about how others could afford boats of that size. Most programs required significant owner expenses, leaving owners responsible for covering insurance, maintenance, and repairs.
Then they stepped aboard The Moorings 5000, and everything changed.
“We both walked out and said, This is the boat,” James recalls. “We had no clue at the time if it was a good purchase or a bad purchase, but once we met other Moorings owners, it all clicked.”
Discovering Charter Ownership
At the show, the Abrahams met representatives from several yacht manufacturers, each offering some version of a charter program. “They’d say, ‘Well, you buy the boat, and if we charter it, you get paid,’” James explains. Understandably, the prospect of no financial stability, coupled with the financial burdens of traditional yacht ownership, such as docking, insurance, and maintenance costs, left James and Kara nervous and uncertain about pursuing their sailing dreams.
Then, they came across The Moorings Ownership program. They stepped aboard the brand-new Moorings 5000 catamaran and instantly felt something click.
Even more convincing than the guaranteed monthly income and zero maintenance, insurance, or any other traditional costs were the conversations they had with existing Moorings Owners at the show. One owner shared how his first yacht had been lost in hurricane Irma after just one year in the program, and yet The Moorings reimbursed him in full. That reassurance of financial stability and long-term partnership stuck with James and Kara.
“After Irma, The Moorings not only kept paying for the boats, they even left room on their cargo ships to bring employees necessities they couldn’t otherwise get,” James says. “That told us everything we needed to know. This was the company for us.”
Taking the Leap
Of course, there was still the small detail that neither James nor Kara had ever sailed before. “When we told our sales rep, Christine, that we had no experience, I think she thought we were crazy,” Kara laughs. “She didn’t even believe us at first!”
But with confidence in the program and a “go big or go home” mentality, the couple purchased their first Moorings 5000. Financing the yacht was, in James’s words, “much like buying a house”: a down payment, a lending process, and the reassurance that charter revenue would offset costs. “It was a relatively painless process,” he says, “and financially it just made sense. It really doesn’t feel like it’s coming out of our own pocket. The program is essentially paying for the boat while we get to use it.”
Life Aboard Gold Digger
Today, their second yacht, Gold Digger, is based in the Abacos. And James and Kara couldn’t be happier with the size and space of their new Moorings 5000. “I love that everyone can spread out,” James says. “People can be hanging out in the front, while others are in the back. You’re together, but not on top of each other.”
The space, comfort, and functionality of the boat quickly proved perfect for hosting. Kara adds, “It’s got everything we need. Enough refrigeration, plenty of room, and it just feels expansive without being overwhelming.”
For James and Kara, choosing their first Moorings 5000 was a mix of excitement, practicality, and a bold step into uncharted waters. “We had never owned a boat, and we didn’t realize just how big a 50-footer really was until it was just the two of us on board,” James admits. But any initial nerves quickly gave way to confidence. “It’s been perfect! Comfortable, spacious, and so well equipped.”
Kara agrees, noting that one of the yacht’s best features is its versatility for hosting. “We love the many areas where you can sit and congregate with friends. Everyone can have their own space, whether it’s the foredeck, the flybridge, or the cockpit.”
Destinations and Adventures
Through their ownership, the Abrahams have traveled far beyond their yachts’ home base in the Abacos, and have taken full advantage of the over 20+ global Moorings bases owners get to indulge in. Croatia, in particular, left a lasting impression.
“My favorite destination is definitely Croatia,” James says. “I hired a Moorings captain there because I hadn’t sailed that area before, and it was incredible.”
Other highlights include St. Lucia, St. Martin, the Grenadines, and, of course, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. “That’s one of my favorite places on earth,” James shares. “Every time I go back, I run into friends, other owners, island locals, and Moorings staff. It’s like this built-in community where you’re always welcomed back.”
That sense of camaraderie has become one of the unexpected joys of ownership. “We’ve made so many lifelong friends,” Kara says. “Every trip feels like a reunion.”
Sharing the Lifestyle
For James and Kara, the best moments aren’t always about where they go, but who they bring along.
“My favorite thing is introducing friends to this lifestyle,” James says. “Watching their faces light up the first time they step on board, or the first time they snorkel a reef, that’s priceless.”
The couple has even inspired friends to join the Moorings Owners program themselves. “We’ve referred several people who’ve since bought their own yachts,” Kara says proudly. “And I can tell you those friends feel the same way when thinking about what yacht ownership is. It’s a lifestyle that will change your life.”
The Moorings Difference
Looking back, the Abrahams are clear about what sets The Moorings apart: reliability, peace of mind, and partnership.
“We went through all of COVID, through hurricanes, through everything, and The Moorings never missed a payment,” James says. “It’s not coming out of my pocket. In a way, they’re paying for the boat that I get to enjoy.”
That stress-free ownership allows them to focus on what matters most: adventure.
“As they say, the best day is when you buy a boat and the best day is when you sell it,” James laughs. “But for us, the best part is having The Moorings cover the costs while we get to use it. It really is life-changing.”
A Lifestyle That Changes Everything
For James, summing up yacht ownership with The Moorings is simply “adventure”. And for Kara, it’s nothing short of “life-changing”.
“It’s like running a marathon,” James reflects. “Only one percent of people ever do it. How many people in the world get to own a yacht and have someone else pay for it? And that is what The Moorings gives you.”
From late nights watching sailing channels to waking up on their own yacht, James and Kara’s story proves that what once felt out of reach can become everyday life with The Moorings.
Contact our Moorings Ownership Team today to test the waters and take the plunge from dreamer to owner.
Hanrie Bosch
Guest blogger, Hanrie Bosch, is a professional yacht chef. Based in the Caribbean and Bahamas, since 2013, she has worked on boats ranging from 48 ft Leopards to 160 ft superyachts.
