AZZURA private yacht

Captain James “Hubs” Hubbard hails from Panama City Beach, Florida, USA. Hubs bought his first sailboat when he was 12 years old and has been cruising and racing ever since. A 1981 graduate of the US Naval Academy, he was on the Varsity Sailing Team for all four years and was helmsman on a Frers 46 and Swan 48 race boats. He did his first single-handed offshore delivery from Bermuda to Newport at age 20. Upon graduation he helped establish the standardized Navy recreational sail training program to introduce Sailors and their families to the joys of sailing.

A career Naval Aviator and qualified deck officer on Aircraft Carriers, he deployed extensively throughout the Mediterranean, Middle East and Pacific Theaters, logging over half a million sea miles, 4500 flight hours and over 900 carrier arrested landings. He commanded an aircraft squadron, served as a carrier Air Boss, and commanded a naval air base ashore, in addition to various assignments as an instructor and staff officer. Attending the National Defense University in Washington, DC, he graduated in 2003 with a master’s degree in National Strategy Resourcing. But his true passion has always been sailing; owning boats throughout his career; and racing, cruising and chartering at every opportunity!

After 28 years of active duty, Hubs retired in 2009 at the rank of Captain and moved to Delray Beach, FL. Since then, he and Diana have logged over 30,000 offshore sailing miles, including two Trans-Atlantic crossings, a Pacific passage from Galapagos to Tahiti (with the owners’ 8 and 10 year old children), and multiple trips throughout the Caribbean and up and down the US east coast. They did deliveries, instructional cruises and ran numerous charters in the Caribbean, specializing in the BVI. Most recently, they served as full-time professional crew on a Hylas 54, taking the boat from Bali, Indonesia to Brisbane, Australia, and on a 64’ Swan, cruising New England, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

An avid windsurfer, SCUBA diver, stand-up paddle-boarder, and reformed skydiver; he is an excellent and patient instructor, a master griller and bartender, a below average dishwasher and an abysmal singer! He holds a 200T RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate (Commercially Endorsed) as well as a US Navy Sailing E-MS, Master Skipper rating (Qualified to command and race large sailing vessels offshore under all conditions.)

His extensive knowledge and experience coupled with unbridled enthusiasm for sailing and water sports mesh perfectly with his passion for teaching and sharing to ensure you have the perfect vacation.