Welcome Aboard!

      Captain Mark Murray grew up sailing the Great Lakes and relocated to Florida's Gulf Coast where he continued racing. By age 19, Mark had raced Grand Prix IOR in all four corners of the United States. During the 80s and 90s, he established his position among multi-hull crewed racing professionals with six national yachting championships and one international championship in the Caribbean. His professional crewed career continued to flourish in Europe with a successful Formula 40 series, and gained momentum upon his return to the United States winning three Prosail 40 bids and placing second in the Pro-sail 21s. Additionally, he has taken both second and third in the ultimate multi-hull challenge, the Classic Worrell 1000. He is still looking forward to a first place finish in the future. For further insight into Mark's vast realm of experience, he can be seen in the MGM movie "The Thomas Crown Affair" His team of championship racers turned stunt men perform an exciting stunt . . . flipping their high-speed Formula 40 catamaran on cue. Mark's 50,000 plus offshore miles on luxury and high performance yachts in conjunction with his extensive racing and rigging experience have led to a partnership with designer Peter Wormwood and, together, they've created the magnificent Ocean 55, "AVALON."

      Chef Maii Brown brings to "Avalon" 15 years of experience and over 35,000 sea miles as Professional Yacht crew on both private and charter sailing yachts. Maii grew up in Miami and began sailing in her early 20's. She has sailed extensively in the Bahamas and Caribbean.  Maii is a two-time award winning chef taking 1st place in the St. Thomas Charter yacht Shows cook off early in her career.  She was trained professionally at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale and carries a 100 gross ton US Captains license.

Accomplishments aside, Maii welcomes you aboard with her Southern Hospitality.  Her experience as 1st mate and hostess/chef makes for an unforgettable sailing vacation.  After a full day of sailing or racing, Maii presents 5 star cuisine.  She specializes in Thai, Japanese and Italian cooking.  Among her most favored hobbies, including Catamaran racing, Maii enjoys hiking the rainforests of the Caribbean, snorkeling and entertaining her guests. With a great love for the lifestyle of cruising aboard a magnificent yacht in the Caribbean and New England, she will inspire the child in you to be playful and provide the comfort of home.

      Mark & Maii met in the spring of last year in St. Thomas.  They have been inseparable since that day.  Together their experience makes for a very promising future in the yacht racing and chartering industry.  On board the beautiful, high performance racer/cruiser, "Avalon" Mark and Maii team up to bring you the excitement of a life time and an adventure you'll never forget.