Client Reviews

My wife and I bought a 2001 Grand Banks 46′ Classic and hired Aras with Boat Solutions Group to help us sail her from Chesapeake, VA to Charleston, SC over the course of 5 days. My insurance company required that I receive 50 hrs of dedicated training with a licensed Captain and demonstrate proficiency handling the boat in all typical maneuvers and conditions. Since we were both new to operating a vessel this large, we needed someone with patience and a desire to help a fellow boater. Many Captains we called wanted the delivery job, but few wanted to train us, or let us crew our own boat during the passage. Aras was affordable, friendly, patient, and thorough! He taught us many things we did not know about the ICW, and gave us outstanding hands-on instruction in difficult maneuvers, including handling the vessel in strong currents, winds, offshore swells, engine-out operations, docking, and man-overboard operations. We are so thankful for the instruction and help Aras provided in getting to know our “new” boat. I would highly recommend him and/or his partner Vickers, who we learned so much about. Both are extremely knowledgeable and have numerous years of experience with all kinds of boats. We wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to call Aras again, if we ever need captain’s services in the future.

I spent nearly 3 months with Captain Aras when he helped me bring my Catamaran from the East Coast of the US to the West Coast of Costa Rica. Aras is a very competent, generous, and easy to get along with Skipper. I learned so much from Captain Aras, and his guidance made all the difference. I highly recommend Captain Aras for any nautical adventure.

I had just gotten notice that I was offered a new position in Augusta GA. I decided to take my boat a Catalina 34 to the South Carolina coast where I could use it on weekends. Having never made this journey from Selby Bay MD to Hilton Head Island before I decided to hire a Captain to help with the move. Captain Aras and I sailed from the same marina in Maryland, so we knew each other.

I have to say, I was very pleased with the decision! Captain Aras started the process by performing a detailed inspection of the boat. He came up with a small punch list of items that were corrected before the trip and the boat was ready to go. From there he took on the overall planning of the trip, including route planning, weather tracking and provisioning. He provided extra gear, including additional safety and navigation aids.

We left on a sunny Friday and proceeded south. We arrived safely at Hilton Head Island 8 days later after conquering two intense thunderstorms and a short sail into the Atlantic. Safety for the crew and the boat was the first order of each day. Along the way he adjusted the boat, so she was in better shape when she arrived at Hilton Head then when we left Maryland.

It was a great experience and it was clear the boat was in the hands of a professional captain!!!