Happy Guests Aboard

We are happy to share what Allison and her group liked about their charter with Sailnorthwest Charters!

We had the best time! Our week-long family trip in the San Juan islands was wonderful! Our captains Judy and Griff, their dog Lilly, and our family of six sailed on Hopscotch, a well laid out, clean, and well maintained sail boat. Both Judy and Griff cooked for us, and our meals were delicious. The kitchen was stocked with lots of fresh fruit and snacks, and there was always an appetizer and dessert. We especially enjoyed the fresh peach pancakes! Our group spent a lot of time sailing the boat, and our captains were very patient with us as we learned the ropes. The stops each day were well planned and varied between less populated islands with hiking and rocky beaches, and Roche and Friday Harbors on San Juan Island--both cute, little towns to hang out in. We'd definitely sail with Judy and Griff again, and would highly recommend Sail Northwest to anyone. www.sailnw.com/crewedvacation.html

Allison

Crabbing is one of our favorite pastimes

Crabbing on one of our favorite pastimes in the San Juan Islands whether we are in a class or a crewed vacation. Everyone enjoys a crab feast and dungeness crab are the best tasting of all. Add a little melted lemon butter, dip, and enjoy!

www.sailnw.com/crewedvacation.html

 Jibing can be easy, can be dangerous!

Tacking heads you into the wind, jibing turns you away from it. To Jibe, you bear away from the wind until the stern of the boat passes through the wind. Now the wind has passes from one side of the boat to the other. The challenge is that your sails are full when you jibe! Can this be dangerous? You bet!

Small boats have small sails and they don't hold much wind. Large boat's sails hold a tremendous amount of wind. It is not wise to jibe boats 35 feet and larger unless there is very little wind. When sailing downwind an 'accidental jibe' can be very dangerous. All of a sudden the boom swings across the wind resulting in a loud bang, perhaps breaking some rigging, or breaking someone's head that just happened to be standing in the way of the boom.

It is wise to practice jibing everytime you get the chance so you are familiar with the procedure. Come and take our sailing classes and learn to jibe!

www.sailnw.com/school.html

Look What We Learned!

The following was written to us by a couple that took one of our private couples ASA classes this summer. It is always fun to hear sailing adventures from our students. This was written after they saw photos of our class boat's keel damage after a class hit the rocks.

"Was so sorry to see the photos of Spotlight Gal, and hear of her mishap.  Will she be okay to sail for next season?  Your advice about depth finder, GPS and charts is sound - and we've decided to use Navionics for next sailing season. On our anniversary, we got ourselves a chart book and tools. Been enjoying learning how that works.

We took Strathspey out of moorage for the winter today - got in one last sail before she sits on the trailer all winter. We hope to do lots more cruising in her next year; glad for the opportunity to learn from you guys - we're better, safer sailors, and I am much less of a chicken because I understand all the factors better.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks again, and hope Spotlight Gal will come through okay - we enjoyed our time on her a lot!"

 

BTW... Spotlight Gal is fixed good as new and aback in the water!

Baby Orcas join our crewed charter!

Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play, or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun co-captains, Judy and Griff.

http://www.sailnw.com/crewedvacation.html

Join us for a fun filled week aboard Hopscotch!

Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play, or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun co-captains, Judy and Griff.

CHEERS from crewed charter guests

http://www.sailnw.com/crewedvacation.html

How Did You Start Sailing?

I am asked this question over and over and it is good one. How many sailors can say that one of their kids got them into it? Usually it is Mom an Dad that get you into sailing lessons and you go from there. Well, my oldest son Bill, took me for a sail from Seattle to Victoria, BC on his new 40' sailboat. He taught me how to read a chart and how to do dead reckoning while we were underway. I loved learning some navigation and have never forgotten it. We sailed all night with the tide and arrived at our destination early in the morning to the dawn of a beautiful day in a very charming city. I had so much fun that I joined a sailing club and my sailing life has grown from that first experience to achieving my sailing instructor certification and a USCG Masters license. It goes to show that what we make out of life starts with baby steps!

Come and join us for a fun filled crewed charter!

Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play, or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun co-captains, Judy and Griff.

CHEERS from crewed charter guests

http://www.sailnw.com/crewedvacation.html

How does one choose a sailing class?

All guys, all gals, a big class, a small class, a man or woman instructor... there are many things to consider when choosing a sailing class. Today let's talk about a woman learning to sail. A gal learns best with a woman instructor and a small class size. If her guy is with her he needs to let the instructor do the instructing. Teaching your wife or girlfriend to sail a boat is like trying to teach her to drive. Private couples classes work well when this rule is followed. Women are less intimidated by a woman instructor and feel free to talk about their fears and concerns. Small classes work well by offering the student as much time is needed at the wheel. By the end of a week long class the gals I have had in my classes feel confident and most have the ability to bare-boat charter. A comment I always hear at the end of the week is "you are so patient, I've learned so much and I am so much more confident". So, come on gals, let's get on the water and have some fun!

Charter Cruise the San Juan Islands

A crewed charter around the beautiful San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest has cruisers sailing from one spectacular anchorage to the next. Sailors and cruisers alike enjoy SE winds of 8-20 knots during the summer months. The orca whales, Dahl porpoise and a wide variety of seals can be seen along your passage from island to island. Beautiful anchorages can be found within one to four hours of cruising. Jones Island is a marine park with protected anchorage. The tame deer will come up to you to see what food you have to offer them. Reid Harbor is another popular anchorage with many mooring buoys and great hikes on the island. Roche Harbor is a quaint village of world renown on San Juan Island that is not to be missed. Check our our sample itinerary on this web site. www.sailnw.com