After everything Steve had done during the Carpe Diem journey, my wife and I knew we were ready for a bigger adventure—and we knew exactly who we wanted by our side. We had this dream: to buy a larger boat and cross the Tasman Sea together. To most people, it probably sounded crazy—two relatively inexperienced sailors planning an ocean crossing. But we weren’t afraid. We had Steve. And that changed everything. The search for the right boat began. Steve dove in with his usual energy and focus—scanning listings, sending thoughts, making detailed notes, and taking call after call with us. Every question we had, every concern, every “what if”—he was already three steps ahead. He was thorough, calm, honest. But more than anything, he genuinely cared. Not just about the boat, but about our experience, our safety, and our growth. When we finally found Gaia, a Beneteau 473 in Auckland, Steve helped us prepare in every way—physically, mentally, emotionally. He suggested gear, safety protocols, weather apps, even personal things like clothing and mental preparation for offshore life. We weren’t just getting ready to buy a boat; we were getting ready to trust someone with our lives at sea. And there was never a second of hesitation. We knew we were in the safest hands. We flew to Auckland with our bags and our nerves—and Steve was there, ready, focused, and already leading the charge. The inspection he led was more than professional—it was surgical. He examined every detail of the boat, knew what questions to ask, and spent hours learning the systems. And just after the sale went through, he surprised us with one of the most meaningful gifts we’ve ever received: a beautifully hand-carved timber registration plaque for Gaia, made by Steve himself. It had her official number, and it was more than a keepsake—it was a symbol. Of our dream, our journey, and the care he put into every part of it. A true work of art. And then, the big moment: we set sail for Sydney. Twelve days across the Tasman. A mix of calm beauty and raw intensity. We faced three serious storms—winds howling to 60 knots, rough seas, cold, gear malfunctions. It wasn’t easy. But Steve made it feel possible. More than possible—he made it feel empowering. He fixed problems mid-ocean. Repaired the mainsail. Climbed the mast in open water. Kept us focused, calm, and safe. Every moment switched on, checking weather, updating routes, adjusting plans. And somehow, even with no real rest, he stayed calm, cheerful, and fully present. He taught us everything—how to read the clouds, how to handle pressure, how to work as a team. But what he really taught us was far beyond sailing. He showed us how to trust ourselves. How to embrace challenge. How to feel safe in uncertainty. And how to keep joy alive, even in the toughest moments. What we shared out there was more than just a crossing—it was a life-changing experience. Steve wasn’t just our skipper. He was our guide, our teacher, and now, someone we’ll always call a friend. We left Auckland as hopeful dreamers. We arrived in Sydney as sailors—with more confidence, skill, and trust in each other than we ever imagined. And none of it would’ve happened without Steve.

Before I met Steve, the idea of being on a sailboat—let alone crossing an ocean—terrified me. I used to get nervous in small waves on Sydney Harbour, so when my husband suggested we buy a boat in New Zealand and sail it across the Tasman Sea, I thought he’d lost his mind. But then I met Steve “Flipper” Boughton. And somehow, almost instantly, I felt calm. From the very beginning, Steve treated me with kindness, patience, and total respect. He never talked down to me, never brushed off my concerns, and never once made me feel silly for being scared. He knew how new this all was for me, and he met me exactly where I was—with honesty, calm, and an incredible ability to make the terrifying feel manageable. Before we even got on the plane to Auckland, Steve was helping us prepare. He answered every question, helped us pack the right gear, and even made sure we did a sailing and safety course to build some confidence. He knew how big this was for me—and he cared. Not because he had to, but because that’s just the kind of person he is. Once we found the boat—Gaia—Steve guided us through the entire inspection and purchase like a true professional. He checked every wire, every pipe, every winch. He asked all the questions I wouldn’t even know existed. And when we officially bought the boat, he surprised us with the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received: a hand-carved wooden plaque with Gaia’s official registration number. It was beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. It made it all feel real, and it made me feel seen. Then came the crossing. Twelve days on the Tasman Sea. Three storms. Up to 60-knot winds. And I’ll be honest—my body struggled. I got seasick early on, and I was terrified that it would last the entire trip. But Steve had this herbal cream he gently rubbed behind my ears—and it worked. Just like that, I started to feel better. He always had little tricks like that, and every time something came up, he had a solution ready. Always calm. Always confident. There were moments when I looked at the ocean and felt completely overwhelmed. But every time I looked at Steve, I felt peace. He never looked worried. Never raised his voice. Even when we had problems with the autopilot or when he had to climb the mast mid-ocean, he made it all seem normal. Like it was just another day in the office. Steve barely slept. He was constantly checking the weather, updating our course, fixing gear, coaching us, teaching us. He’d pop up from the cabin after a rough night looking fresh, smiling, already making coffee. And somehow, he made space to laugh with us, to share stories, to turn fear into something empowering. By the end of the trip, something shifted in me. I wasn’t just surviving it—I was part of it. I was sailing. And that’s because of Steve. This wasn’t just a boat delivery. It was a life experience. One that changed me forever. And I wouldn’t have done it with anyone else. Steve is more than a sailor. He’s a teacher, a guide, a protector—and now, someone I’ll always consider a friend. The trust I placed in him was complete, and he earned it every single day. I will never forget what he did for us.

"I highly recommend Steve Boughton (Flipper). This is not something I would say lightly. My requirement was to find a crew to help me sail my 2011 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i Performance safely from Sydney to the Whitsundays Mackay. Steve ticked every box for my perfect delivery crew/assistant skipper. I can confirm that he has all of the skills and experience listed in his profile (but fortunately we didn't need his first aid skills) As a crew of two we completed the journey in 7 days including a 24 hour stop at Coffs Harbour. I slept well between shifts knowing Steve was at the helm. His navigation skills (including paper Charts) and local knowledge was very reassuring. During the trip we took a detour at night to help search for a lost diver off Lady Elliot Island. Steve took the lead on the radio communications with search and rescue authorities. This became an all nighter for both of us. Steve has endurance and stamina, He was keen to also double as bowman when we poled out the jib in 2m wind chop. Quite adventurous but this steadied the boat downwind. As for him personality I found him to be easy company and someone with a varied and highly interesting past. You won't be bored with Steve aboard. I learnta lot from Steve in 7 days and would certainly sail with him again. He does an excellent stir-fry too!