Captain’s Log 260326 – Starting Practical, Dreaming Classic

Captain's Log 260326

Looking at boats for the Ébrié Lagoon, one thing is clear right now: I need to begin with something practical and reliable.

Pontoon-style boats — stable, with spacious shaded decks and comfortable seating — are the smart choice to launch Captain Murray's – The Uncharted Waters. They offer a solid, steady platform for relaxed lagoon charters in Abidjan. Guests can sit back under the canopy, enjoy the views, and experience genuine hospitality without the heavy maintenance demands of a tropical environment.

That said, boats with real character have always been close to my heart. My life on the water began in the mid-1970s sailing off Durban and Cape Town on my father's yachts and crewing on day trips from Hout Bay to Seal Island. From there it continued through yacht maintenance and brokerage in Palma, deckhand and mate roles on charter yachts like S.Y. Aglaia and S.Y. American Enterprise, refits in Mallorca, and then fourteen years as Captain of the beautiful M/Y Labrador pictured above.

I oversaw Labrador's complete restoration to MCA standards, introduced her to the charter market, and built a loyal returning client base while feeling every nuance of her character on the water. That long journey — spanning decades and many vessels — taught me what makes time afloat special.

One day in Abidjan I'd like to return to some restoration work as a personal hobby, bringing older hulls back to life. But for the start of this new chapter, practicality comes first. A good pontoon boat will let me focus on what I enjoy most: delivering relaxed, enjoyable days on the lagoon for small groups.

The search for the right starting boats continues, and I can already picture guests relaxing on the deck with the warm lagoon breeze around them.

– Captain James Stuart Murray