Who We Are

The Yakutat Charter Boat Company has been in operation since 1998, owned and operated by Mark Sappington. Mark has been chartering in the Yakutat Bay waters since 1993. Mark worked for other lodges in Alaska, but always dreamed of operating his own charter boat company, thus he started The Yakutat Charter Boat Company (YCBC). YCBC is dedicated to providing the best experience possible for its customers, with professional, friendly and knowledgeable sport fishing charters.

Mark began working on boats at the age of 12 in Redondo Beach, Calif., and was the youngest in his class to receive his 100-ton captain’s license at the age of 19. He worked another six years in the waters of the Santa Monica Bay, operating commercial fishing and charter boats, whale-watching boats, and tour boats. In 1986, Mark began working as a charter boat operator for Waterfall Resort on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska. He worked for Waterfall Resort for the next four summers while also earning a bachelor’s degree in business from California State University-Long Beach.

In 1993, Mark arrived in Yakutat and began a five-year stint working for the Yakutat Lodge. Mark got the charter boat effort at the lodge off the ground and developed it into a four-boat operation. Mark then chose to leave the security of the lodge and make his dream a reality.

The Yakutat Charter Boat Company (YCBC) began with “Vengeance,” — a 30-foot Alumaweld boat completely equipped with state-of-the-art electronics and top-of-the-line fishing gear and a guide who is second to none.

Several years have passed since starting YCBC and my son, Mark Liam Sappington, has joined the YCBC team as a highly proficient Charter Captain. My partner Sylvia Green is involved behind the scenes with our lodging business expansion, boat rentals, marketing, and more. Since our beginnings, two other vessels “Quest” and, most recently, “Whitetail” have been added to accommodate the many friends and family of happy guests who found they wanted to share their Yakutat experience. All three boats have a covered and heated cabin, nice to have in foul weather and the same great gear that is specific to the fish-slaying job at hand.

We are all looking forward to making your special trips to Alaska memorable. Please feel free to call if you have any questions or to book your reservation.

Click the Facebook link at the bottom of this page and visit our site “Yakutat Charter Boat Company” or my personal Facebook page “Mark Sappington” — like us and become a fan, check out our photo albums and take advantage of any specials we may be offering.

Happy fishing and we hope to see you soon!

Mark Sappington