ABOUT US
Captain Will
Captain Will Monts learned to sail at six years old in Optimist dinghies, and his love for sailing has continued since. He is very passionate about racing sailboats, has competed on national and international stages, and has earned many sailboat racing accolades at prestigious and historic regattas, including two North American championship titles, a division win in the Southern Ocean Racing Conference, a division win at Charleston Race Week, and more.
Will holds a Master Captain’s License, US Sailing Instructor Certificate, STCW Certificate with PDSD, Survival at Sea certificates, First Aid/CPR certifications, and more. In addition, he has logged thousands of miles of offshore experience as captain and crew on a variety of sailboats throughout U.S. and Caribbean waters. Will’s wealth of knowledge and professional experience shines through in his commitment to safety and excellence in every charter.
When not at the helm of Esprit de Joy, you can find Will racing his own boat, Stella, locally with the Charleston Ocean Racing Association, racing in one of many of the world’s premier offshore regattas, traveling abroad with his wife Eliza, or enjoying one of Charleston’s many fantastic restaurants (ask him for his favorites!).
Jill and Katherine Joy
Jill and Katherine Joy (Kat) are a mother-daughter duo with a passion for sailing and adventure. In 2019, after a break from her favorite hobby, Jill was eager to get back on the water. Sailing had always been on Kat’s adventure list, so they signed up for a beginner’s sailing class together. Every evening, they were in awe of the Charleston Harbor and inspired by the sunsets. Little did they know that four years later, that class would be the "mainsail" inspiring their business, Charleston Harbor Sailing (CHS).
The pandemic didn’t stop Jill and Kat from adjusting their sails. They utilized the urging of outdoor activity to take additional sailing courses and eventually come up with a business plan to create a charter company.
With Jill’s business acumen, Will's extensive knowledge of the sea, and Kat’s marketing background, the three knew that they were the perfect trifecta for a team. All three share the same vision: To share the joy of sailing with others and to create a unique and unforgettable experience for those who sail with them.
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