USCG licensed captain
Captain Will Monts
Captain Will Monts brings a lifetime of racing experience to every private sailing charter on Charleston Harbor. He learned to sail at age six in Optimist dinghies and has since competed on national and international stages, earning two North American championship titles, a division win in the Southern Ocean Racing Conference and a division win at Charleston Race Week.
Will holds a USCG Master Captain’s License and a US Sailing Instructor certificate, and has logged thousands of offshore miles as captain and crew across U.S. and Caribbean waters. That knowledge shows in his commitment to safety and excellence on every private sunset charter and daytime sail aboard Esprit de Joy.
- 2
- North American championship titles
- 1st
- Division win, Charleston Race Week
- 1st
- Division win, Southern Ocean Racing Conference
- USCG Master Captain’s License
- US Sailing Instructor
- STCW with PDSD
- Survival at Sea
- First Aid and CPR
When he’s not at the helm of Esprit de Joy, Will races his own boat, Stella, with the Charleston Ocean Racing Association, sails in some of the world’s premier offshore regattas or travels with his wife, Eliza. Ask him for his favorite Charleston restaurants.
Founders
Jill and Katherine Joy
Charleston Harbor Sailing was founded by Jill and Katherine (Kat) Joy, a mother-daughter duo with a passion for sailing and adventure. In 2019, Jill was eager to get back on the water and sailing was on Kat’s adventure list, so they signed up for a beginner sailing class together. Every evening they were in awe of Charleston Harbor and inspired by its sunsets.
The pandemic didn’t stop them from adjusting their sails. They took more sailing courses and wrote a business plan for a Charleston sailing charter company. Four years after that first class, it became the “mainsail” of Charleston Harbor Sailing.
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.
“Our mission is to share the Joy of being on the water.”
Meet the boat
Esprit de Joy
“Esprit de Joy” is a French phrase that means “spirit of joy.” It captures the enthusiasm, positivity and happiness we want every guest to feel on board.
Esprit de Joy is so much more than a name. Sailing isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about being on the water, feeling the wind in the sails and taking in the beauty of Charleston. There is a special joy that comes from sharing that experience and creating lasting memories, and that is what we aim to do on every sail.
Esprit de Joy was built in 2018 in Marion, South Carolina (we love supporting SC businesses). She is a 34-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349: a high-performance sailboat with outstanding seaworthy qualities, timeless style and a spacious seating area made for a picture-perfect day on Charleston Harbor.
We hope your time aboard is full of fun and adventure, and that the feeling stays with you long after you step back on the dock.
Book a sail on Joy
Come sail with us
Private charters for up to 6 guests. Only 3 sails a day.