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Llewellyn Westerman: Troubadour with a Tiller

By Chris Goodier

Born on the island of Nevis, Llewellyn Westerman honed his sailing skills with a stick for a tiller, playing as a child on the steps of a house where Alexander Hamilton once lived. Shortly after joining family members living on St. Croix in 1960, he found work on Buck Island boats and discovered that tourists were entertained when he drummed on the decks and crooned calypso ditties during the long sail from Christiansted.

Westerman started singing in the evenings at hotels and restaurants and became what he calls a "recording artiste." He got a boat and kept his own charter company going, despite capsizing during Hurricanes Hugo and Marilyn. After Hurricane Lenny drove Charis ashore in 1999, he built a 37-foot trimaran that could fly across the waves and was soon back in action winning regattas aboard Charis+.

Not much seems to trouble Westerman, including high gas prices. He rows guests by dinghy from a dock in Teague Bay out to the big boat and hoists his sails to power Charis+ over to Buck Island. His solo seamanship is the envy of other sailors who watch him glide into a crowded bay to drop anchor, sprint from bow to stern like a teenager and pick up mooring lines — all without the benefit of an engine. So far, three generations have sailed to Buck Island with Captain Llew and, like his fellow countryman Hamilton, he has become quite a St. Croix legend.

For reserations (for up to six passengers) to sail with Llewellyn Westerman aboard his luxury trimaran, Charis+, please call 340-773-9027. He sails daily to Buck Island National Monument, St. Croix departing from Teague Bay at 9:00am and at 2:00pm.