During the Covid-19 pandemic, a camper-van conversion and cross-country adventure across the US reignited first mate Matt Wood’s creative spirit and led him to take on a business venture with his friend Scott Lewandowski. Over the course of a year, they built the 40-foot floating venue La Caja Miami, offering charters for a variety of events or simply to relax on the water in Miami.
Featuring 325 square feet of covered lounge and a top-notch JL surround sound system, La Caja offers a modular daybed and chic wet bar with fridge and freezer, along with an easy-access swim ladder. “Our goal was to craft a space that offers a memorable experience in Miami, blending our passions into a welcoming and exceptional escape for our guests,” Matt says.
Working on charter and private vessels from 30 to 290 feet, Matt started in yachting 10 years ago, progressing from deckhand to first mate. His stint working aboard Sealyon, a dual season charter yacht, taught him the art of creating exceptional, high-end experiences. In between seasons in 2016, Matt went backpacking through the south-eastern US and met Scott at a hostel. The two bonded over their mutual love of exploring cities and cultures and since then have maintained their tradition of traveling together.
Just weeks before pandemic restrictions began, Matt was visiting Scott in Miami, which turned into an extended stay. Inspired by the van conversion Matt worked on during this time, the pair began dreaming up project ideas when Scott proposed merging Matt’s maritime background and carpentry skills with their shared interest in hospitality and design to build a unique boat-based venue — they embraced the challenge.
After they took delivery of the hull in May 2022, they spent weekends and evenings building La Caja Miami — starting with months of research on boatbuilding techniques and structural design. With a DIY boat kit that provided a structured framework to assemble the hull and foundation, they tackled everything from laying the deck and constructing the superstructure to designing and building the interior, with the help of YouTube, manufacturer advice and problem-solving skills. La Caja Miami officially launched in the summer of 2023.
“Drawing inspiration from the aesthetics of Tulum, Bali and the Mediterranean, we aimed to create a unique, open space that felt more like a stylish bar or lounge than a traditional yacht,” Matt shares. “Seeing La Caja come to life and building her with our own hands was incredibly fulfilling and sparked new opportunities for growth and adaptation.”
Their goals include expanding the fleet to host a variety of experiences on the water, along with exploring larger-scale boatbuilding. “We are excited about future possibilities and are actively exploring opportunities to expand to other cities and international locations, creating new and engaging maritime experiences that align with our creative and commercial goals,” Matt says.
As a believer in community and shared experiences, they’re offering our readers a free extra hour when you book La Caja. Just use the code DOCKWALK when you make a reservation.