“It’s true that life works in mysterious ways and who would have ever thought I would have the privilege of working with someone as professional and talented as Capt Andrea Gaines after a very rough start in yachting. The breadth and depth of her knowledge is beyond impressive. She explains things articulately, executes with efficiency, and displays a superior level of organization. I will be forever grateful for all she did to keep us “above water.”
I would highly recommend Andrea for yacht maintenance, as a yacht broker, and especially as someone to help navigate your yachting experience.”
m/v Hope
Marlow 53
“Andrea is an extremely competent captain who helped me immensely when my husband and I got our 42 ft Sabre. She familiarized me with the operation, systems and engine room. I learned many things, including how to use the radio, determine our air draft, and most importantly, how to pick up a mooring. She was very thorough, organized, and professional. She took the time to make sure that I understood everything. I still refer to the manual that she provided with checklists and other handy information.”
“We met Andrea in 2008 when we had our 80-ton, 62’ Northern Marine trawler Spirit of Zopilote. On numerous occasions, she helped us on offshore passages and has been our friend ever since. During those passages, we developed complete trust in Andrea’s knowledge, skills and abilities. But now we are “Aging Mariners” and are so very fortunate that for the last 5 years she has been our Captain for the 3+ months every year we spend plying the beautiful waters of Maine.
Her professionalism, attention to detail, impeccable character and affable personality has enabled us to enjoy life on the water without the usual stress and worry associated with yacht ownership and operation. She is an exceptional ship driver and navigator with a high degree of situational awareness and vigilance. She takes charge of every project, large or small, solves all problems and keeps us informed of the progress and any issues. Her motto of “Consider It Done” accurately reflects her capabilities and work ethic. Beyond her Captain’s duties, she genuinely cared for our well-being and was a joy to be around. Without her, our “Golden Years” would be much different especially these last few years.”
Joan & Bruce Kessler
M/V Spirit of Zopilote
“I was fortunate to have Andrea Gaines referred to me by a friend who commissions Nordhavns. Our 65-ft Marlow Explorer was in Ft Lauderdale for 2 weeks before leaving on an extended Bahamas trip. Our vessel needed a number of repairs as well as a complete parts inventory and reorganization of the crew quarters and engine room. We left our vessel in the care of Andrea who repaired or replaced pumps, hoses and valves as well as any marine plumber, while managing and scheduling other professionals to meet our timeline. She demonstrated great care and meticulous attention to detail. She delivered an updated inventory, manuals and log program for easy access – something every boater should do. When Jane of All Trades was finished, our yacht was standing tall. Thank you Andrea for a job well done.”
Fred Mendelsohn,
M/V Sunset Kelly
“After 40 years as a boat owner operator, I was amazed in what I learned from Capt Gaines in two weeks of instruction. She is a gifted instructor and the finest captain I have observed on any yacht I have been on.
Looking forward to more weeks at sea with Capt Gaines aboard my 65′ Fleming.”
Ed Lipkin
M/V Tenacity
“Andrea Gaines has always been there for me whenever any boat issue arose: mechanical, overseeing work being done, sourcing parts, and moving the boat. Her commitment to customer service is exemplary. I think her company, Jane of All Trades, is very appropriately named.”
Dan Freedman, M/V Sea Spirit
“I have had the opportunity to work with Captain Gaines over the last three plus years. Her extensive project management experience comes through with accurate problem solving skills and time management. Her intuition and tenacity leads her to find solutions to problems quickly. Captain Gaines attention to safety is paramount. Most notable about Captain Gaines is her attention to detail. Without question I would entrust Captain Gaines to manage and Captain my yacht.”
Jack Zacks, CPYB
Essex Boat Works, LLC
“I have known Capt. Gaines for a half-dozen years, both socially and professionally. She has the perfect temperament for skippering a sophisticated, modern vessel – attention to detail – professional yet courteous demeanor – completely competent both as a shore and sea captain. She has intimate knowledge of how all of a vessel’s systems work, from electronics to stabilization to diesels. And, if she comes across some feature with which she lacks first-hand knowledge, she never hesitates to seek additional input from expert acquaintances to manufacturers. I would not hesitate to put Capt. Gaines in charge of making my Island Pilot 535 ready for sea – from overseeing commissioning to provisioning to clean up. I would feel comfortable that when I step aboard, the boat (and Capt. Gaines) would be properly prepared, and that we could leave port confident that all the details would have been dealt with perfectly.”
Reuben Trane
Island Pilot
“I found myself in a time binder after the Newport boat show and had to leave our two boats behind to return to our office. I needed someone to bring the two boats down to Milford, CT that same week and Capt. Andrea Gaines came through for me. Only an hour and a half after I first called her she had assembled a team consisting of a second captain and a handful of mates to deliver our boats to Milford the very next day. I was very impressed by Andrea’s ability to organize herself on such short notice and deliver our inventory safely to us in what can only be described as rough conditions. She and her team got it done and I would trust my boats with the Jane of all Trades in any situation.“
Carl Skarne
Owner of Skarne Marine, LLC Importer and distributor of Minor Offshore boats
“A couple of years ago, after several years away from boating, we upgraded to a large trawler-style boat, and we needed someone to (re-) train us in the basics of boat-handling and seamanship. We were extremely fortunate to find Captain Gaines through a mutual acquaintance, and it is almost entirely because of her that we are now very comfortable not only with handling the boat but also with conducting routine maintenance. Captain Gaines brings a calm manner and practical, hands-on, common sense to everything she does. As a teacher, she is extremely focused, instills confidence and has great, sometimes much needed, patience. She is one of those rare people to whom we would entrust almost any task, boating-related or otherwise, with complete confidence that it would be completed to a very high standard and with absolute professionalism.”
Denise and John Forrest, Larchmont, NY
Captain Andrea Gaines is always welcome in my wheelhouse. She has, on numerous occassions, helped me move my 80-ton trawler Spirit of Zopilote on offshore passages. I can assure you, if you need a vessel moved, operator and/or crew training, or vessel management, she is the person I have confidence in.
Bruce Kessler
M/V Spirit of Zopilote
“During the last seven years Captain Gaines has managed and run our 42’ Grand Banks during business outings with 12-15 people aboard. She professionally took command of the vessel and we had complete trust in her seamanship. She is very thorough in her preparations and is extremely diligent in assuming responsibility. We have complete confidence in her.”
John and Ginger Hancock
M/V ARIEL