Navaia Newsletter - From Startup to Sea Time
It’s mid-spring, and for the first time since starting Navaia, things feel like they’re truly in motion.
Over the winter, there were moments when it felt like everything was stacked against this idea—setbacks, unknowns, and a constant question in the background: will this actually work? As I’ve shared in previous blogs, starting a new company from scratch has been one of the hardest things I’ve done.
But now, standing here as the season gets underway, I can finally say—it is working.
The business is in full flow.
Revenue is coming in. Not yet profit—that’s still a little way off—but importantly, it’s coming from multiple directions. Deliveries up and down the South Coast. Own-boat tuition. Days out on Bossy Boots, my Contessa 32, helping people build confidence and capability on the water.
Each person I’ve sailed with has been part of this journey. The feedback, the conversations, the small moments of progress I see in others—they’ve all given me a real boost. A growing sense that this isn’t just a change in direction, it’s the right one.
Looking ahead, the year is already close to full.
And what’s encouraging is the mix. Deliveries, coaching, teaching—it’s not reliant on a single stream. That balance matters. It’s what will give Navaia the resilience to grow into something sustainable.
There’s also something else I set out to build into this from the start—time.
Time to step away over the summer. Time with the kids. Time to choose when and how I work. That was always part of the vision, and it’s beginning to take shape.
But this next phase is critical.
Turning strong revenue into consistent cashflow. Managing the reality of costs—because there are plenty in running a sailing business—and building towards a small, steady profit. Not overnight. But deliberately, and in a way that lasts.
But growth was never going to mean doing more of the same.
Part of building Navaia was always about creating something with room to evolve. Not just teaching people to sail or helping move boats from one harbour to the next, but opening up different ways for people to grow on the water. Confidence leads to competence. Competence leads to bigger challenges. And for some, the natural next step is racing.
That is why I have recently launched the next phase of the business: yacht racing.
It begins this summer with Cowes Week, giving people the chance to sharpen their skills in a competitive environment and experience a completely different side of sailing. Then, looking further ahead, the big focus is Fastnet 2027 — one of the most famous offshore races in the world, and one with a special place in Contessa 32 history.
Over the next year I will be looking to build a small crew, train together properly, and prepare for what should be an unforgettable challenge.
So there’s a big summer ahead.
If you’ve been thinking about learning to sail, building confidence, or stepping into something more—whether that’s a delivery, tuition, or even racing—now’s the time.
Come and be part of it.
Matthew
Navaia