Behind the Scenes
An American Flagged Long-Range Offshore Sailing School.
The people and faces you’ll meet while training or passage making with Sail Libra. This is only a short list of the many individuals who support us along the way in ports and far-flung places. These people are the lifeblood of Sail Libra. Without this carefully coordinated group of maritime professionals, the program simply would not exist.
Operations
Ryan Rayfield & Kids :)
Captain of Libra and Founder
From a childhood spent exploring the waters of Lake Martin to logging countless offshore miles aboard his beloved ketch, Libra, Ryan Rayfield has spent a lifetime chasing the horizon. As a USCG-licensed STCW A-2 Internationally endorsed captain, father, and lifelong mariner, he combines deep technical knowledge with real-world sailing experience to offer something rare: offshore instruction that’s both professional and deeply personal.
When you step aboard Libra, you're not joining a franchise or influencer brand you're supporting a small, family-run operation built on trust, seamanship, and the belief that the sea still has lessons to teach.
READ MORE ABOUT RYAN
Stephen Higginbotham
Captain of Sea Angel
“Bo,” as we call him, joined Sail Libra almost by accident. He originally signed on for a passage to see whether the sailing and cruising lifestyle was truly for him. It did not take long for the answer to become clear. Sailing was not just a fit. It was a calling.
Calm under pressure and often described as stoic, Bo has a steady way of processing situations and communicating clearly when it matters most. He does not raise his voice, rush decisions, or add noise to complex moments. His presence alone has a way of settling a boat and a crew, especially offshore.
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Mates
Brooke Carleton
First Mate - Libra
Brooke brings a steady, capable presence to Sail Libra shaped by a lifetime around boats and years of professional seamanship. She combines hands-on mechanical skill with calm, deliberate leadership offshore. After joining Libra for training in 2022, Brooke quickly became a core part of the program, earning trust through consistency rather than words. She is known for her strong work ethic, practical problem-solving, and her ability to quietly manage the day-to-day realities of life aboard while helping sailors build confidence through real experience. Whether offshore on passage, on the deck, in the galley or alongside the maintenance crew in port painting Libra's bottom, Brooke’s presence helps set the tone aboard Libra.
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Giovanni Coquis
Mate - Libra
Known to everyone aboard as Gio, he brings sharp navigation skills, strong deck work, and an unmistakably positive energy to Sail Libra. First joining as a client in 2018, Gio quickly became trusted crew, valued for his instruction, problem-solving ability, and steady presence offshore. Whether aboard or supporting from shore, Gio remains a core part of the Libra team.
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Nick Cantrell
Mate - Libra
An artist at heart and a gifted instructor on the water, Nick brings creativity, clarity, and deep local knowledge to Sail Libra. Having known Libra since her earliest days in Orange Beach, Nick has been part of the program’s growth from coastal sailing to offshore passages. Whether teaching sail trim, knots, or supporting passages as crew, Nick’s influence is woven into both the sailing and the spirit of Libra.
READ MORE ABOUT NICK
Beyond the helm
Sail Libra exists because of far more people than those listed on this page. In ports, shipyards, anchorages, and on the water, countless individuals contribute time, skill, energy, and resources to keep Libra sailing and improving. From hands offered during maintenance projects, to advice shared at the right moment, to quiet support behind the scenes, these contributions matter deeply. Many offer help simply because they believe in the boat, the program, and the people aboard. We are grateful for every bit of effort, whether given for an hour or over many years. Libra’s passages are made possible not just by her crew, but by a wider community that continues to show up wherever she goes.