Will Tome

Name: Will Tome

Summers as a Camper: 7

Years as a Staff Member/Positions Held: 2 Trainee summers on Motorboating staff

Current Profession and Title: Entrepreneur, Base Owner of PowerTime Charleston

How did you get into the boating field professionally?

My wife and I decided to relocate from the Northeast to Charleston, S.C. after college. Growing up in Charlotte and spending summers in the low country, it felt like moving home. During the pandemic and with few things to do, we got out on the water a lot. We ended up buying an old lobster to fix up and cruise the ICW. I have the affection for single inboards from my time at Camp and I got a strong foundation there to take on this project. We really wanted to do something for the cruising community here so about a year ago we decided to launch a new business in Charleston with PowerTime. 

PowerTime offers members access to high-end powerboats without the financial burden of ownership. We cater to our membership and really make them feel like family. We help them upgrade their boating skills and get them out there to enjoy the water.

What’s next on the horizon professionally?

I want to offer more training and education with our members and expand to welcome anyone looking to become safer and more skilled boaters. Eventually, I’d like to offer supplemental classes on things like night operations and long-range weather navigation with a greater depth for people that want to be more independent or have their own boating goals. The other way I’d love to grow is with sailing. We have a sister brand, SailTime and I’d love to bring that to Charleston, too!

How do the values or skills you learned at Camp show up in your everyday work and/or personal life? 

This whole business is about sharing and cooperating. I think enjoying this sort of activity with others really stemmed from Camp. It’s little things like giving other people a turn to drive and working as team to run the boat. Drive, determination, integrity and attention to detail are also things I learned at Sea Gull in a high-risk environment of being on the water. 

Is there a situation or memory at Camp that had a lasting impact on you? 

My journey to get my master pilot has always stuck with me. It was the day before we went home. I was coming back from my solo cruise. Everyone was already in the mess hall celebrating awards and accomplishments and I didn’t pass. It was tough to be at the end of the summer when it was my one goal. I was working so hard and time was up. There was not a chance to try again tomorrow. I had to wait an entire year before I could come back and try again. 

I came back the next year excited and wanting to prove myself. It really gave me appreciation for doing things the right way and the precision required to be at the top. It was so much more gratifying to have done it right despite the heartbreak it caused the summer before. It was the most character building experience I had at Camp. 

Favorite Camp meal: Sloppy Joes

What three words best describe you? Energetic, hard-working and honest.

Do you have any book or podcast recommendations? Dove by Robin Lee Graham. It’s about a teenager who sails around the world on a 24-foot boat. I keep it on my boat and it’s just a fun young sea story.

Dream vacation destination: I’d love to sail the South Pacific. I think I have a really good shot at getting there one day.