2014-15 workaway references
(Excellent) by aki [07/12/2015]
It's three weeks since I left Jay's and I think about my time there every day.
I love sailing and all around it so last june when I saw Jay's profile I said to myself that I should go there and really it was worth going to the Keys. The place is lovely and there are a lot of places to visit close to it.
I was there for eleven days and the thing that most impressed me was the friendliness of Jay and all the people there, because Jay knows everybody there. Jay is a very thoughtful person and anything you need he will be ready to get it.
The work is OK there. As I'm an electrician Jay and I made some electrical works in the
catamaran. But apart of work we had plenty of free time and Jay organized lots of activities.
I really enjoyed the sailing days and the night guitar parties with all the people of the dock.
Just one negative point, Jay didn´t learn my basque name even in near two weeks, so I was called Mr. I. ; )
Sometimes when you leave someone you know that you'll meet him again, even if he's thousands of miles from you. See you Jay!! Thanks!
Iñaki
Left by Workawayer for host
I had a great experience with Jay!
I stayed with him for about a week and I'm very thankful because I was running a horrible experience when he contacted me.
He likes to organize your work time and even your free time. He will give you a lot of advices!
You can learn a lot of things about sailing with jay... And you can also have fun with him!
Left by Workawayer for host
JI had an amazing time on the boat with Jay and the others volunteers! I had a lot of fun, I learned sailing, I had my first experience in scuba diving, I even touched dolphins! Jay knows where to go or where to eat, and he connected me with my next workaway. Excellent experience!
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(Excellent) for Amelia (19/11/2015)
I stayed on Jay's boat for about 2 weeks - working, learning to sail, and having fun! The boat was nice, and I had one of the bedrooms to myself. Between the contributions from Jay, myself, the other workawayers, and even other boaters in the marina, there was always plenty of food and someone who could cook a good meal. The bathroom, shower, and pool facilities were always kept clean, and there was a washer and dryer available as well.
I was so lucky to have had my first Workaway experience here. You can really tell that Jay has a passion for sailing and enjoys sharing this knowledge. He was a great instructor, and I learned so much from my time on the boat. Because he has lived in Marathon for some time, Jay has many helpful suggestions on activities and restaurants in and around the area. If you are interested in more travel or more sailing experience, he is more than willing to help make those connections for you. Plan on working hard but having a lot of fun! This was a great way to experience the Florida Keys and become "dock savvy" in the process.
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(Excellent) by Cheryl [28/10/2015]
This is my first workaway and I'm so glad to meet Jay as my first workaway host. Didn't think of that I will meet a lifetime mentor, knowledgeable guy, and a very valuable friend here. Keys is so beautiful makes me so grateful to stay here as my last travel stop in the United States. Jay told me a lots of wisdom advice and I know I will quote them in my mind in rest of my life. He loves sailing, he loves life. He is a guy has a lots of love and always pass it away and make others' day. Learn new things everyday you will never grow old! And I did exactly learn a lot on his boat! I don't know what will happen when I'm sailing to my future, but I know Jay will always support me to make it good. Also thanks Paula, Chantay and Aaron, you are so nice, friendly and kind I'm appreciated to meet you!
Left by Workawayer for host
Jay is a super knowledgable and friendly guy. I had to terminate a few days early due to a family emergency and he was helpful and understanding. I hope our paths cross again and bet that they will.
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(Excellent) by Gary [15/10/2015]
This is my first workaway and I'm so glad to meet Jay as my first workaway host. Didn't think of that I will meet a lifetime mentor, knowledgeable guy, and a very valuable friend here. Keys is so beautiful makes me so grateful to stay here as my last travel stop in the United States. Jay told me a lots of wisdom advice and I know I will quote them in my mind in rest of my life. He loves sailing, he loves life. He is a guy has a lots of love and always pass it away and make others' day. Learn new things everyday you will never grow old! And I did exactly learn a lot on his boat! I don't know what will happen when I'm sailing to my future, but I know Jay will always support me to make it good. Also thanks Paula, Chantay and Aaron, you are so nice, friendly and kind I'm appreciated to meet you!
Left by Workawayer for host
(Excellent) by Tomasz [17/09/2015]
Thanks Jay for having us 6 Days on your Boat.
Jay is a great Host and we enjoyed the time with you. We really appreciated the time Sailing and Jays experience.
Jay is straight forward and make terms and expatiation very clear (we love that as Germans ;)
We relay enjoyed it and hope that the boat is still a little bit shiny ;) All the best!!
(Excellent) by Jonas & Elisabeth[17/09/2015]
What a great first experience with Workaway, and this at my age! It couldn't have started in a better way. I spent 6 nights on Jay's catamaran and had a truly awesome time. The work was not that hard, but the Floridian heat and humidity in summer was. I have never ever sweated this much while working.
Mostly I had to do cleaning jobs: the galley and its gadgets, the binge, the deck, the store, the bathroom. I even learned to set up a compost toilet and was the first to sit on this 'high throne'. ;) .
I was lucky to have a good 'boss' - Jay - and a great other workawayer - Bret - who was a pleasure to work with. With a good colleague like him, even hard work becomes fun. (Thanks again, Bret. You are a super guy!)
One of the rewards for the (partly hard) work was sleeping on the boat, in the first night in my own stateroom, in the following nights voluntarily on the trampoline under the sky because it was much fresher, nicer and romantic. The second reward was a sailing and snorkeling tour to different places, with barbeque, sleeping near a sandbar and having breakfast in the following morning, all on the sea. 'AWESOME' does not describe what it was like. I am still overwhelmed and speechless. Jay's friend Marsea was with us and I enjoyed her company, the conversations with her and her good food as much as being with "my two men" Jay and Bret.
In the other evenings we sometimes went out for dinner to restaurants or bars that only locals know thanks to Jay's good advice. I will always keep the taste of 'she crab soup', mango mahi mahi and grouper on my tongue. DE - LI- CI - OUS!
All in all, an extraordinary experience and I am very grateful Jay accepted my request to spend this time on his boat. This way I was able to get in contact with the locals, could talk to them and learn about the country and the culture. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, JAY!!!
If you should decide to go there, you should know the following things:
1: You will have to work hard and should have a really good work ethics (but you will be rewarded!).
2: Jay can sometimes be a bit rough-and-ready (but don't take it personal, he is absolutely fair and takes care of you in any way which is very moving).
3: Do not expect him to reply to your request or message immediately as he is busy. (Be patient, and again: don't take it personal!)
4: I advise you to give him a little money after arrival as he buys water, other drinks and coffee. Do it voluntarily without being asked to do so. Look after your own food yourself.
5: Be happy if he decides to choose YOU and enjoy the time. You will never forget it.
Left by Workawayer for host
(Excellent) by Marina[09/09/2015]
This was a perfect first Workaway experience; Jay's a true professional and an all around great guy. He understands what it means to work hard and will always reward your efforts. From overnight starlit cruises feasting on steak and fresh seafood to diving on some of the keys most amazing reefs, it was a very memorable experience. He's full of good stories and great suggestions on things to do in your down time. I liked the fact that I had plenty of privacy, and I always felt comfortable both on the boat and at the marina. Come here, work hard, and you'll have the time of your life!
Ps. Be sure to check out the sunset grille for happy hour and tranquility bay is a must see for sunsets!!
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(Excellent) by Bret [09/09/2015]
I stayed with Jay for a week as my first Workaway experience, and I don't think I could have asked for a better one. Jay is an extraordinarily friendly and laid-back guy who proved to be extremely accommodating, going so far as to find a friend for me to go sailing with when he was unable to take me himself. He is an incredible teacher and an excellent introduction into the world of sailing, constantly encouraging us to learn something new every day. During my time there I worked hard, but true to Jay's motto played hard as well, meeting fantastic new people and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere that the Keys had to offer. I am so thankful that I was able to take part in this experience, and I already can't wait to go back. Thanks Jay!
Left by Workawayer for host
(Excellent) by Aaron [31/03/2015]
This was my first Workaway and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. We worked hard and played harder, and at the end of each day, the waves rocked us to sleep. Jay is an accommodating host, a great teacher, and an all-around funny, laid-back guy. ("Learn something new every day!") We told stories, played music, sang, cooked on the dock and met so many interesting people (thank you Ming, Sal, Ina, and David for your hospitality!) Jay directed us to all the best local hangouts (I'm already craving Driftwood pizza) and really made me feel at ease during my first Workaway. Much love Jay! Can't wait to come back again!
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(Excellent) by Disa [31/03/2015]
We spent a very good week in this marina. Jay couln't host us but he managed another solution on another boat in the same marina. Jay is very friendly, always smiling and he likes meet people by organizing some dock Party with acoustic music ! And he gives us an awesome sailing lesson!
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(Excellent) by Arthur [13/03/2015]
I stayed and worked with Jay for 3 weeks! It was an awesome adventure and I would totally recommend him to other workawayers. In Marathon I did a bunch of different projects in several boats, I sailed a lot, I did snorkelling in the reef and I learned how to sail in his green catamaran. With Jay prepare yourself to work hard but also to play hard! And to learn something new every day, which will make that you never grow old, as he says! Another Jay quote is: "If is luffing is not lifting!" You will understand this one when you became a sailor. Thank you very much Jay! I had an amazing time there and I hope that one day I will see you again.
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(Excellent) by Luis [13/02/2015]
We left Jay's boat 10 days ago, and we still miss his smoothies! haha we had such a great time with another german girl on the dock. He is a great teacher ... we learned how to sail - you can learn a lot from this man! Of course we had to work,but his main concern was that we enjoy the stay on the dock with lot of fun :) We had enough time to discover the area. We had so many beautiful experience (sleeping at the trampoline outside, key west, dolphin research center, snorkeling etc) It was a blast to meet Jay and his friends from the dock! We can recommend this adventure to every workaway! Thank you very much for the great time we spend at your home! :) greetings from the bling bling girls haha
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(Excellent) by Alexandra [24/01/2015]
After having stayed 8 nights at Jay’s I left today and I am already missing the great atmosphere of the dock.
This was my first workaway experience and I couldn’t have thought of starting it any better. I spent my time there with two other german workawayers and we had a great time. Jay is a very, very nice and caring person who always wants to make sure that you’re okay (and having fun ;)). The work that he gave us was mostly cleaning but we always had a lot of free time as well. He gives you very clear instructions which I really appreciated.
In our free time we sailed, snorkeled, went to the pool of the marina and did lots of other fun things.
Together with some of Jay’s friends from the Marina we even had two dock parties with much food that were a lot of fun.
In general, the whole atmosphere of the marina is jsut amazing. So layed back, peaceful and beautiful. I loved waking up early in the morning and just walking along the docks. I would totally recommend staying at Jay’s boat to everyone who wants to experience something a little bit different from your normal everyday life. Thank you, Jay!!
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(Excellent) by Louisa [14/01/2015]
An unbelievable opportunity turned into an amazing experience. My first workaway ever of 2-3 days turned into a mutual respect and relationship with Jay that crossed over 10 days and will grow into a lifetime friendship. Jay gives an incredible experience to his guests and it was a great pleasure to be a part of that. In the process, working on the boat on many mechanical and electrical projects with Jay, really didn't constitute as work when being treated like a friend. Highly recommenced this workaway with Jay. I look forward to going back there again in my grand journey of life.
Left by Workawayer for host
(Excellent) by Gabriel [08/01/2015]
An unbelievable opportunity turned into an amazing experience. My first workaway ever of 2-3 days turned into a mutual respect and relationship with Jay that crossed over 10 days and will grow into a lifetime friendship. Jay gives an incredible experience to his guests and it was a great pleasure to be a part of that. In the process, working on the boat on many mechanical and electrical projects with Jay, really didn't constitute as work when being treated like a friend. Highly recommenced this workaway with Jay. I look forward to going back there again in my grand journey of life.
Left by Workawayer for host