About
why i started freeboat
My name is Jacob Chavez, some people call me Jake.
I’ve spent my life building things — homes, spaces, and systems designed to help people live well. As a designer and builder, I’ve always believed that craftsmanship is about more than materials; it’s about creating environments that shape lives for the better. I'm a creative, and creatives are often adventurous. With my adventurous, curious nature, over time, I began to feel pulled toward the sea and the idea of long journeys. I saw how adventure, challenge, and connection with nature can change the way people see themselves and the world.
Then I discovered something powerful: there are incredible boats out there whose owners deeply love them but can no longer continue the journey. And there are people longing for adventure who believe the dream is out of reach.
Freeboat exists to bridge that gap.
my heroes - kindred spirits which embody the freeboat spirit
lin & larry pardey
sir robert knox johnston
sir robert knox johnston
Lin and Larry Pardey are pioneering sailors who inspired generations by proving that a life of adventure at sea did not require wealth, large yachts, or modern technology. Beginning in the late 1960s, they set out to explore the world aboard small, traditional wooden sailboats that they largely built themselves, sailing thousands of miles across the world’s oceans.
Their philosophy was simple and powerful: “Go small, go simple, go now.” They showed that determination, craftsmanship, and a willingness to learn could open the door to a lifetime of exploration.
This spirit aligns closely with the mission of Freeboat. Like the Pardeys, Freeboat celebrates the idea that the sea should not belong only to those with the largest budgets, but to those with the passion and courage to pursue the journey. Their legacy reminds us that with the right boat and the right mindset, extraordinary adventures are within reach.
sir robert knox johnston
sir robert knox johnston
sir robert knox johnston
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is a legendary British sailor best known for becoming the first person to sail solo, nonstop around the world. In 1968–69, he completed this extraordinary voyage aboard his modest 32-foot wooden ketch Suhaili, enduring 312 days alone at sea and proving that determination, seamanship, and courage could carry a person across the world’s oceans.
Yet what truly defines Sir Robin is not just the voyage itself, but the spirit behind it. Throughout his life he has encouraged others to pursue their own dreams of adventure, believing that the sea should be open to anyone with the passion and resolve to go.
This outlook resonates deeply with the mission of Freeboat. Just as Sir Robin demonstrated that an ordinary sailor in a humble vessel could achieve something extraordinary, Freeboat exists to help new dreamers take the helm—passing forward both seaworthy boats and the spirit of adventure that keeps them sailing.