a secret Tribe...

Whispers in the anchorage, secret VHF channels, and a trail of fire pits and rum soaked sand throughout the Caribbean. The YCA has been around forever. From the Skip and Kits of the 1970's on their self build, to all of us carrying the torch (flying the burgee) today... Young Cruisers have sought each other out around the world for a half century. Sick of the know-it-all types, the happy-hour complainers, radio nazis, and everything between, the YCA passed along to others deemed chill enough through time and anchorages. 

Only occasionally are we all lucky enough to make that early season connection with other Young Cruisers. That connection that literally changes your experience, if not your life. So in 2018, over a bottle (or 3) of rum, chatting by a fire, a few of us decided it was time to make it easier to find, meet, and hang out with other rad people who said f*** it, and took off sailing. People who get more out of cruising than basket weaving, reading, and walking on the beach (which is all cool). People who leave an island better than they found it. People that want to seek out surf breaks and wake up early to fish. People that are your people. And so YCA entered the digital age. Exploiting technology to find each other, while not being exploited by technology.

So now as we all struggle to disconnect and enjoy bonfires on the beach without smart phones, we encourage you to use those magic boxes for something real. Connecting with the kind of people you can spend a night, a week, or a year cruising with around this beautiful earth.

YCA is not merely a business, an instagram account, or a facebook group. It is you, us, and everyone who didn’t wait for retirement to start living. With the ‘OK’ from the original 1970s YCA members, we are attempting to bring YCA into the 21st century. There are thousands of YCAers (aka #ycasses) on separate branches of the tribe’s family tree, all with common roots, but not all connected. This is why we are making burgees, membership forms, koozies to pass along to new members, and centralized social media. Soon we will have a network of people sharing free docks, moorings, favorite bars, best anchorages, advice to newbies, and more importantly… a voice to fight things like anchoring bans, golf courses, and other not cool moves that hurt sailing and our oceans.

JUST REMEMBER: Some places and moments are sacred. Sometimes the cameras should stay in your bag. Sometimes the stories don’t need to be retold. Sometimes the secret spots should stay a secret. YCA is here to help you find the people worth sharing these moments with.