COPPER PENNY Yacht Charter Catamaran

Crew Profile

Jim & Amanda Grant - Your Winter Season Crew aboard COPPER PENNY (November, 2018, through February, 2019)

Jim and Amanda are ready to welcome you aboard the catamaran COPPER PENNY. They are an outgoing couple who love to entertain, and look forward to leading their guests on new and exciting adventures

Jim and Amanda's love for adventure drew them together, and they were married in 2000. When they met both were weekend whitewater raft guides and kayakers. Soon they discovered sailing and bought a boat. After 7 years of sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, they decided to leave corporate America for the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. They sailed for two years aboard their own boat exploring the Caribbean.

Jim, your captain, is a Canadian who grew up sailing on Lake Ontario. His family has always owned boats and Jim began his sailing instruction while attending summer camp. As a young adult Jim moved to Virginia, were he became bareboat certified and began chartering. In his corporate life Jim was a stockbroker. He was televised on Charlottesville, Virginia's NBC 29 nightly news for seven years sharing his market commentary with viewers. While working as a stockbroker, Jim found time to become a delivery captain for a Lagoon catamaran dealership, and began transiting the East Coast of North America. There he found his love for the open ocean. He obtained his United States Coast Guard Masters License, and later obtained a MCA 200-ton Offshore Certificate. Jim is also a certified PADI Dive Master, and looks forward to taking you diving. In addition Jim enjoys windsurfing, kite surfing, and skiing.

Amanda, your chef, is from Virginia. She grew up as a competitive swimmer and spent time backpacking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Later, she discovered triathlons, and spent many hours training and competing. Jim introduced her to sailing, and life was never the same. She began sailing the Chesapeake every weekend, and accompanying Jim on some of his deliveries. Amanda's career as an engineer was demanding and gratifying, but soon she began dreaming of warm waters. During her years sailing the Caribbean, she developed a love for cooking and exploring local cuisine. To prepare for life as a charter chef, Amanda attended a mega-yacht cooking school in Fort Lauderdale, where she honed her skills. She looks forward to serving you beautifully presented delicious meals. In addition, Amanda is a certified PADI Dive Master, and a kayak instructor. Amanda's other interests include windsurfing, kite surfing, and skiing.

Jerry Blair and Dawn Mottram - Your Spring & Summer Season Crew aboard COPPER PENNY

Captain Jerry Blair
Captain Jerry has always had a love of the ocean and this is what has driven him to make a career in the crewed yacht industry. Jerry has spent the last three decades sharing that passion with his guests, helping them experience what the beautiful islands and seas of the Caribbean have to offer.
Captain Jerry has been running charters in the Caribbean for 26 years. Prior to Copper Penny, he has been an owner/operator of two very successful charter yachts, spanning over 2 decades. With more than 500 crewed charters under his belt, he has a wealth of experience and loves sharing his knowledge with others. He always has a good story at hand, is gregarious and loves meeting people.
Jerry has been sailing his whole life and comes from Baltimore Maryland USA, where he grew up sailboat racing on the Chesapeake Bay. He also sailed on the collegiate sailing team at St Mary’s College of Maryland. Jerry is a former US Sailing keelboat instructor. He has sailed extensively throughout the Northeast USA, Caribbean and has undertaken several Trans-Atlantic crossings. He holds a 100 ton USCG Masters license and has been a NAUI Scuba Instructor and PADI Divemaster for 25 years now.
Jerry is the first to get the party started with some of his signature cocktails, mocktails and Happy Hour blender specialties. Dawn and Jerry love touring vineyards in their spare time and enjoy selecting and pairing wine to compliment the onboard menu. When off charter they reside in the UK with their family and granddaughter.
One of Jerry’s great loves is teaching and as an avid water sports enthusiast, he enjoys sharing all his varied knowledge with guests of all ages. Jerry teaches lots of SCUBA courses from first time resort courses to full or advanced diving certifications.
Jerry is concerned with environmental issues especially to do with the coral reefs and is the Director of Reef Guardians BVI, which is a local non-profit group, fighting to save the coral reefs and manage the invasive Lionfish population in the British Virgin Islands. Jerry received the Champion of the Ocean Award in 2016 in recognition of his work protecting coral reefs. Come join Jerry on a Lionfish hunt and do your part to Save the Reef and learn more about marine life in the Caribbean Sea.
Due to the many years Jerry has spent living in the Caribbean, he is a great source of local knowledge and history. This ensures every trip is unique, fun and interesting and because of this he can also take you to ‘off the beaten path’ secret location and remote anchorages, making your trip even more special.

Dawn Blair is British, born in North Wales amongst miles of coastline and a backdrop of mountains including the famous and spectacular Snowdonia range, where her love for nature and the outdoors grew from. Living by the sea she spent many hours with her family on boats. She passed her love for sailing onto her two children. Dawn has always enjoyed cooking for family, friends and charitable events. She is a trained RGN nurse, specializing in pediatrics, community, and ophthalmic nursing, and worked as a medical equipment consultant.
Her career of helping people as a nurse inspired her to start fundraising for causes she believed in. As the years went on, the scale of her fundraising and the distances she went to grew. Dawn’s passion for the outdoors has led her on cycling tours through Vietnam, hikes up the three highest mountains peaks of Great Britain, and numerous sailing events. She has taken part in many long distances offshore sailing races, most notably the Fastnet Race. She was involved in forming the first "all female" team to Sail in the Non-Stop around Britain and Ireland Race. Her experiences of cooking on racing boats led Dawn to produce the Swell Food recipe book, for sailing enthusiasts. All proceeds were donated to Sail4Cancer, enabling those suffering from the effects of cancer to have sailing opportunities.
Dawn believes the ocean is a big playground and loves to scuba dive and enjoys underwater photography. She is enthusiastic and likes to encourage children to learn about the importance of caring for our oceans and the beauty and fun they can provide. Along with Captain Jerry she supports Reef Guardians.
As a nurse Dawn has gained an understanding of the importance to cater for varied dietary requirements. All menu preferences including food allergies, likes and dislikes, diabetic, gluten, vegetarian and lactose to name a few she caters for. She continually strives to provide exquisitely presented nutritious and balanced meals.
Her passion for sailing and travelling has led Dawn from London to the Caribbean. Her European, Mediterranean, and Asian influences will win you over with regards to her cuisine but it is her caring nature, attention to detail, and constantly striving to improve that will be the lasting impression that stays with you for years to come.

Menu

Samples from the galley of Chef Amanda, your Fall/Winter chef on COPPER PENNY
Breakfast
Coconut Crusted French Toast
Eggs in Ham Baskets w/Sausage
Assorted Mini Egg Quiches
Spinach and Potato Frittata
Breakfast Egg and Veggie Burritos
Green Chili-Cheese Egg Bake
Coffee, Teas, Tropical Fresh Fruit Platter, Juice, Cereal, Yogurt and Bagels

Lunch
Baked Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
Seared Herb Crusted Ahi Tuna
South African Curry Babotie (Bobotjie)
Padang Baked Coconut Shrimp
West Indian Crab Cakes & Calamari
Thai Curry Chicken
Traditional Indian Roti

Hors D’oeuvres
Smoked Salmon Roses w/ Goat Cheese
Basil and Roasted Red Pepper Bites
Crusted Ahi Tuna w/ Ginger and Wasabi
Greek Salad Kabobs with Tatziki
Thai Chicken Satay w/ Pineapple Mango
Oven Baked Thai Coconut Shrimp
Mini Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups

Entree
Prosciutto and Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast
with Cranberry Sauce
Herb and Parmesan Crusted Red Snapper
over Roasted Veggies
Lime Marinated Grilled Mahi Mahi with
Jamaican Papaya Chutney
Drunken Pork Tenderloin with an
Infusion of Orange Brandy
Caribbean Mango Chicken with Cilantro
Coconut Chili Dressing
Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary,
Chocolate and Wine Sauce

Dessert
Blueberry Crème Brule with Chocolate
Hazelnut Wafer Rolls
Dark Chocolate & French Vanilla Éclair
with Whipped Cream
Black Forest Kahlua Chocolate Cheese Cake
Dutch Chocolate Lava Cake with Fresh
Fruit and Mint
Mini Fresh Fruit Trifles with Amaretto Custard
Creamy Peanut Drumstick Pie
All served with Coffees, Tea and Fine Liqueurs

Samples from Dawn, your Spring/Summer Chef on COPPER PENNY

BREAKFASTS

Tropical Calm delicious orange, melon and papaya juices to start the day

Sizzling Sundried tomato frittata with Thyme and Parmesan shavings

Leafy Apple Sail Away, Fluffy Chevre Omelet’s, Ogen Melon and grape platter

Classic Eggs Benedict & Canadian bacon with creamy Hollandaise sauce

New York style Bagels with Smoked Salmon and Capers. Pineapple & Orange Frappe

Continental breakfast with Croissants, Warm Banana Bread, Yogurt and fresh fruits

Vegetable Quichettes, Baked egg & Bacon cups, Pear & Ginger Muffins

All breakfasts are served with choices of Coffee, Tea, Fruit Juices, Toast and preserves, Cereals, Fruit of the day.

LUNCH

Crab cakes topped with Pistachio & Avocado butter, served on Moroccan carrot salad

BBQ cheeseburgers served in a paradise setting with salad toppings and Caribbean coleslaw on a    homemade bun

Shrimp & Tortellini Salad with Honey Mustard dressing and Rosemary Focaccia breads

Italian platter with assorted meats, salami, Pastrami, cheese selection and Olives served with salad and ciabatta breads

Coconut crusted chicken on black bean & baby tomato salad cups, drizzled with lime aioli.

Lionfish (or Chicken) Tacos with Fresh Guacamole, Papaya Cilantro Salsa

HORS D'OEUVRES

Duck & Lemon grass Kebabs                Olive crostini                Chilli Prawn Skewers

Walnut topped Baked Brie with crudités and crackers          Goat cheese and pepper flatbreads

Ahi Poke Maguro – Hawaiian style ceviche            Mini Manchego tarts with Romesco sauce

Served with Jerry’s famous alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails

Passion Fruit Martini     Pomegranate Margarita        Papaya Creamsicle

Rum Berry Mojito             Lime in De Coconut             I Dream of Jeannie Martini     

Just to name a few!

ENTREES

Caribbean Snapper and Crab rolls on a bed of Creamed Cassava with Corn Shak

Black Angus Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Bloody Mary sauce, Horseradish mash and seared Zucchini

Mahi Napoleon with Rasta rice and Basil Tomato vinaigrette

Prosciutto wrapped chicken on Sesame Noodles with Ribbon Vegetable Medley

Pork tenderloin with a Coco Thai Sauce, Butternut Squash Gratin and Coconut rice timbales        

Seared Teriyaki AHI Tuna with Mango and Black Bean Salsa, Sweet Potato Cups and Medley Caribbean Roasted Vegetables.

All meals can be adapted to suit taste and Dietary requirements.

DESSERTS

Baked Lime Cheesecakes with Rum Cream and Sesame Seed Snap

White Chocolate Tower with Dark Chocolate Mousse

Pineapple Tarte Tatin with Caramel Drizzle and Orange Mascarpone

Coconut Crème Brulee and Almond Sable biscuits

Luscious Lemon Pots and Homemade Chocolate Truffles

St Emilion Au Chocolate with Brandy Infusion and Cocoa Tuiles

All served with Fine Wines, Liqueurs and Coffee

CHILDREN'S MENU Suggestions

Rainbow Pizzas                                            Toasted Pita Pockets

Vegetable and Cheese Pastry rolls                Squished Tomato Pasta Sauce

Chicken Mini Nuggets                                 Sweet & Sticky Noodles

Fish Cake Fingers                                      Sausage and Veg Kebabs

Sunshine Burgers

Homemade Brownies, Cookies and Cakes available