PERMABEAR Yacht Charter

Captain: Ed Irwin

Capt. Ed Irwin
I guess you can say I have spent most of my life trying to get lost in the outdoors. Born in Newfoundland, Canada I spent as much time as I could outside, fishing the streams for trout and getting lost in woods. As a small boy I would drive my mother crazy by wandering off only to come home with pockets full of the fish I caught, or birds and small animals I captured that I wanted to keep as pets.

I have enjoyed back country camping, hiking, canoeing my entire life. The Boundary Waters lakes and portages one of are my favorite places to get lost in. To ride my motorcycle, lightly packed for finding remote fly-fishing streams, not really having a destination in mind, is my perfect get away.

I grew up on the small lakes of Northern Illinois, driving to school in my small motorboat. The first time I was on a sailboat I instantly fell in love with the simple act of the wind taking my boat anywhere.

After sailing Lake Michigan for many years, Erin and I created a plan to take off on our own boat and sail to as many places of the world that we could. We found an abandoned Cape Dory 36 and rebuilt it and outfitted it for long distance travel. Years of hard work paid off in a beautifully restored and perfectly outfitted classic sailboat that allowed us to live our sailing dreams.

We have sailed and lived aboard our boat for the past 4 years. We have sailed the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake, off shore from Norfolk around Bermuda to the Caribbean. We then sailed back north to Maine, sailing “down east” for the summer and headed back down the eastern seaboard to head off shore again to the Caribbean.

We have spent the past 2 seasons in the Virgin Islands, US and BVI exploring and finding amazing coves, anchorages, becoming PADI scuba certified, and learning why everyone says that once you make it to the Caribbean- you don’t want to leave. I am looking forward to showing guests why the Caribbean is a sailing paradise.

Chef Erin Irwin
My childhood playground was Tower Marina in Saugatuck, MI. My family bought a River Queen houseboat when I was 10 and we spend every weekend and all of the summers until I was 18 playing on Lake Michigan’s waters. I loved everything about being on the water and was always the first and last one to jump into the water, no matter what temperature!

I am always up for an adventure and tend to do life in a bigger than life way. I am nearly 100% Irish and definitely have the gift of gab and will tell stories all day. I am a care taker, the oldest daughter of a big family, mother of 5 kids, a nurse/midwife for 25 years, and as professor for a good part of my life I am a natural teacher.

When cooking for my family I wanted them to have a healthy diet. Most of our meals were whole foods from our garden, cooked from scratch. My cooking style has an emphasis on a healthy balance of the Mediterranean foods, Asian cuisines, and comfort foods that are adapted to healthy, but rich versions. I have spent a good portion of my life in Chicago, and have become an obsessive foodie, constantly searching for the perfect meal at the perfect restaurant which is an endless quest that has taught me so much about the experience of eating well.

As the oldest daughter of a big family , and the mother of a large family, I was always the center of planning family gatherings and parties. I love finding unique themes and creating relaxed, special-moments and memories together. Ed and I have found the outdoors, especially sailing, to always be the perfect setting for finding that moment to connect to each other, but to something bigger. It has always been the best stage for us to find joy, peace, adventure and excitement and we want to share that.

We especially look forward to having families find that elusive real time together. There just isn’t anything like being on a sailboat to allow for everything else to fade away and be connected to the people you love. We can’t wait to help others find that perfect spot- that perfect moment that will be a memory that holds forever.


Very Friendly Oboard Dog "Gus"

Meet Gus, our adventurous Cairn Terrier, a seasoned sailor of the high seas with over 30,000 nautical miles under his belt! At five years old, Gus is not just any yacht dog; he's a true sea-faring companion with a tale that includes befriending a dolphin and a baby in Long Bay 9. With a love for kids, Gus is the perfect family-friendly crew member, known for his super quiet and well-behaved nature. Despite his loyalty, Gus has a cheeky side—mention cheese and sausage, and he might just be tempted to jump ship! Always up for an adventure, whether it's a serene paddleboarding session or exploring new shores, Gus embodies the spirit of nautical exploration with a wagging tail and an eager heart. Gus has lots of friends ashore if you choose not to vacation with him.