The Skipper
Ivan Lopez is at home in both English and Spanish. (He also speaks fluent Portuguese.) He was born in Madrid, and grew up there.
He came to the Costa Blanca in his late teens, and fell in love with the seaside town of Moraira. Many years later, he named his boat after the town.
He has worked all his adult life in the USA, building a successful business in coffee (for which he also has a passion), later branching out into real estate: buying, selling, renting — short term, long term; offices, residential, warehouses …
He is a man who likes to push himself, to set himself goals, even in his leisure time. He has thrown himself into sports such as football (soccer), racquetball, golf, and running (completing the New Jersey marathon in 3 hours, 35 minutes).
Qualifications
- USCG ( United States Coast Guard) captain license
- ASA (American Sailing Association) 101-103-104-105-106 Certifications
- PADI (open water diver) certification
- HAM radio. Technician and General class licenses
- Red Cross First Aid Certificate
Sailing
Ivan says, “When I took up sailing I right away set myself a goal … ‘Let’s cross the ocean.’
I took a lot of courses, I did a lot of sailing — spring, summer and fall, off the East cost of the USA (New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode island, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland … )
Then, in the winter, Florida and the Caribbean (Puerto Rico , the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Sant Martin, St Kitts, St Baths…) followed by a Delmarva circumnavigation in 2016.
In 2017, we sailed from New Jersey to Bermuda and back.
Finally, in 2019, I crossed the Atlantic, from New Jersey to Palos de la Frontera, with a break in the Azores.”
Frank
“Captain Ivan knows his vessel, and how it performs under all conditions, very well. He provided us with a very comfortable ocean crossing — and the meals were spectacular!”
Frank Schaffer
Sailed with Ivan to Bermuda, and across the Atlantic
Jesus
“I spent some incredible days sailing on the MORAIRA. We were able to know beautiful places — inaccessible if you do not arrive by sea. Ivan, our captain, is always aware of everything. Good boat, comfortable, safe and very well equipped. I will be back soon!!”
Jesus Sacristan Cadenas
Crewed on the S/V “Moraira” in 2019
