Taylor was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and was by no means brought up around, or on the Ocean. It was his attraction to adventure and travel that pushed him to sail a 40ft catamaran across the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Town, South Africa to Annapolis, Maryland at the age of 18. It was from there that he began his career on yachts.
Taylor has traveled a vast amount of the world by sea, having encountered all sorts of weather and emergencies in his years of yachting. Taylor has performed and excelled in every role throughout his yachting career, including chief engineer on a 146ft jet drive yacht at the age of 28. Due to his extensive knowledge on the land, sea and behind the scene mechanics, Taylor carry’s a calm, collected and educated approach to any situation. Taylor has been Captaining motor yachts since the age of 25 and will ensure you a safe voyage aboard Vivace.
To top it off Taylor holds a PADI dive master, certified free diver and is an expert spear fisherman. If you are interested in water sports, Taylor is your guy. He can lead you through the lively reefs and wrecks of the clear Bahamas water and even catch your dinner!
This, along with his friendly demeanor has created a favorable reputation for Taylor in the super yachting industry. On his off time he can be found venturing the mountains in Maine or diving the reefs of Central America. His passion for the outdoors and happy go lucky attitude will have you smiling for weeks after your trip on board Vivace!
Sam grew up in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with his mom, dad, and two younger sisters. He developed his passion for fishing and hunting from his father and grandfather, who are both avid outdoorsmen. Sam was an active kid—when he wasn’t exploring the woods of North Carolina, he competed in wrestling and long-distance running.
After high school, Sam attended East Carolina University. Already passionate about animals and fishing, he worked at a local aquarium when he wasn’t in class. He graduated with a B.A. in History and Education. After a year of student teaching, Sam realized that being in a classroom wasn’t for him. His love for the outdoors and adventure led him to join the yachting industry.
Sam entered the industry in 2020 and has enjoyed exercising his love for fishing aboard superyachts cruising the East Coast of the U.S. and the Pacific Northwest. His extensive knowledge of marine biology, fishing, and watersports makes him a valuable crew member on board Vivace. Sam’s Southern charm and kindness create a welcoming environment for crew and guests alike. He’s always first in line to offer a helping hand—whether it’s grabbing a bag, coaching guests on watersports, or helping you reel in your first fish, Sam is there!
Fun Fact: Sam has a secret passion for cooking.
Stuart is from the city Maidstone UK; growing up Stuart developed an early love for food from his parents who owned a local bakery. Stuart is the youngest of three brothers. In his teenage years he developed a passion for fine dining from assisting his older brother who was a chef in some of Maidstone’s finest restaurants. After high school, Stuart decided that he wanted to follow the path of his older brother and focus on cooking. He attended the Westminster Culinary Arts school of London in 2014. After culinary school, Stuart moved to the USA with aspirations to learn everything he could about fine dining. He worked as a chef in various cities such as New York and Palm Beach before landing a job as one of three private chefs for Donald Trump.
It was chasing the dream of becoming the best possible chef that led Stuart into the path of yachting. Stuart has worked as a privet chef in the yachting industry for 9 years now. Stuart’s passion for high quality, fresh ingredients and advanced cooking technique shines through in every dish. Stuart is elated to have the ability to be creative, practice new techniques and please countless hungry mouths all while traveling the world by sea.
Family is still a major part of Stuarts life. On top of his yachting career, Stuart and his two brothers own one of the highest rated fish & chips restaurants in the UK. Stuart’s positivity and willingness to lend a helping hand make him an advantageous crew member on board Vivace. Stuart is highly motivated, strives for greatness and prides himself on providing a superior dining experience for any guest that steps foot on board Vivace.
Having grown up in the mountains of New England, Elodie’s love for the outdoors has always been strong. Her summers were spent sailing the ridged Maine coastline and winters skiing the White Mountains. As a dual citizen both American and Canadian, she decided to study a double major in Criminology and Sociology in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Shortly after graduating with her BA, she made the decision to join yachting in 2016, following her love of traveling the world and working on the ocean. Elodie has been lucky to travel many destinations of the world on super yachts, including the: South Pacific, Australia, Central America, West/East coast USA, Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Elodie’s positive, upbeat and caring attitude creates a fun-loving presence among crew and guests. Elodie’s focus is always guest experience, doing everything she can to make your stay onboard unforgettable. Her impeccable service is complimented by her friendly, enthusiastic approach to life. She loves to entertain and will ensure your holiday on Vivace to be everything you could imagine and more. Watch out, her smile is contagious!
Olivia grew up in Flagler Beach, Florida. Residing in a coastal town, it was only natural that her childhood revolved around the water. At the young age of six, Olivia began surfing and quickly developed a love for the sport. By the age of 15, she was competing on the circuit and ranked in the top five in women’s longboarding on the East Coast of the USA. Her parents chose to homeschool her so she could travel and experience the world from a young age.
After graduating, Olivia decided to take a gap year and join the yachting industry. During her first season on board as a Deck/Stew, she realized how much she loved the work and committed to pursuing a full-time career in yachting. Olivia has now been in the industry for over three years and has had the pleasure of cruising the Caribbean, East Coast, West Coast, and even Alaska—all aboard superyachts.
Her pleasant personality and positive attitude make her a joy to have on board. She approaches new tasks with enthusiasm, optimism, and ease. Olivia is always ready and willing to serve. Her keen eye for detail and attentiveness in housekeeping will leave every guest on Vivace wondering how their room is always so pristine.
In her free time, you’ll likely find Olivia chatting with locals at a hidden surf break.
Copyright © 2025 Charter Vivace
Managed by Boats Daily LLC
