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N 48° 45.433'
W 122° 30.280'
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Guided Flotillas! |
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We offer several flotillas each year, to provide
you with the opportunity to explore new cruising grounds in the comfort
of a group setting, or even share familiar cruising grounds with the
companionship of new faces… fellow cruisers who also love the islands!
The flotilla concept gives you as much privacy or togetherness as you
like. Each day you can cruise together or separately. You are welcome to
raft to other boats in the flotilla group, or you can seek solitude in
your own corner of an anchorage. You can join your cruise mates for
evening hors d’oeuvres after exploring shore-side trails, poking your
dinghy (or a kayak) into tiny inlets, or enjoy a relaxing evening
watching the shadows of the evergreens stretch into the water.
What are the benefits of flotilla cruising?
The many advantages of flotilla cruising include
camaraderie, opportunities to meet fellow cruisers, and an ideal setting
to gain confidence and familiarize yourself with new cruising grounds.
Your flotilla leader serves as a knowledgeable guide, providing skills
“coaching” and docking or anchoring assistance as needed.
In addition to safety and guidance, your flotilla
leader(s) provide history and naturalist briefings on each cruising
area. For example, each day’s cruise begins with a weather report and a
chart briefing. They’ll review your destination and course and highlight
both hazards and special natural scenes en route. In addition you’ll
have the opportunity to learn about the history of each area, the
original peoples, the Spanish and English explorations of the region,
and even anchor in the same coves as George Vancouver!
In other words, it’s the best of both worlds as we
help one another moor, point out wildlife, avoid rocks and reefs, and
share prawns, oysters and crab straight from the sea. |
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Spring Guided Flotilla:
Victoria & the S alish
Sea |
What is the Salish Sea?
In short, it is the beautiful, protected waterways sheltered by
Vancouver Island.
Click here to learn more about the Salish Sea. |
Late Spring is the perfect time to visit the Pacific Northwest. Days
are long, abundant flowers are in bloom, whales are "showing off" and
the breezes are kind. This relaxed 10-day flotilla takes advantage of
our "10 days for the price of 7 days" Spring Special...a 43% added value
on your charter rate! You'll start out exploring the San Juan Islands,
hiking and enjoying a beach bonfire on beautiful, uninhabited Sucia
Island, known as the "gem of the San Juans". Then on to San Juan Island,
visiting either the quaint Island town of Friday Harbor, or circa 1880's
Roche Harbor Resort, both perfect "jumping off points" to head to
Vancouver Island. Bring your passport to clear customs at Victoria, next
to the historic Empress Hotel and Government Hall. Enjoy this bustling
coastal city with its vibrant waterfront. From there you'll have the
opportunity to tour the world-famous Butchart Gardens, ablaze with color
as blossoming trees and shrubs compete with the flowers for best in
show! Next you'll visit the dramatic scenery of the picturesque Canadian
Gulf Islands. Enjoy a stop at Ganges on Salt Spring Island. There you'll
have the opportunity to tour a winery as well as explore the offerings
of farmers, artists and artisans at their renowned outdoor market. And
each day you’ll be treated to beautiful scenery and evergreen-scented
air.
Let your experienced flotilla leaders (and owners of San Juan Sailing),
Roger and Marlene Van Dyken, guide you to the very best our islands have
to offer! Charter one of our well-maintained sailboats, motor yachts,
power cats or trawlers. Or you may reserve a stateroom on the skippered
lead vessel, a Jeanneau 45 sailboat with 3 staterooms. Experience the
camaraderie of fellow boaters, cruising in pristine waters, and the many
exciting “events” along the way! Then round out your trip with a visit
(by land) to cosmopolitan Vancouver, British Columbia. Just a 60-minute
drive north of our charter base at Squalicum Harbor, you'll find
Vancouver to be a lively and culturally diverse city, with one of the
largest indoor farmer/fisherman/artisan markets, world-famous Stanley
Park, and lots of wonderful restaurants and night spots. Note: Vancouver
International Airport offers connections throughout the US, Canada and
worldwide. |
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Dates:
Sat, May 26 - Mon, June 4, 2012
("10 Days of Charter for the
Price of 7 Days"... a 43% added value!)
Bareboat
Charter Option: Pick
a boat from our fleet that best meets your needs. To the charter
cost, please add $350 as your flotilla fee. Reminder: This charter
is for 10 days at the "10 Days of Charter for the Price of 7 Days"
special rate. Click to view the sail
fleet or the power fleet.
Stateroom Rental Option
(aboard a 3-cabin Jeanneau 45):
$1400 per stateroom, single
or double occupancy. In addition to the stateroom rate, everyone
onboard will split the following expenses equally through the use of a
"ship's kitty": food, moorage, fuel, flotilla fee and other
incidental expenses.
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Summer Guided Flotilla:
Victoria & The San Juan Islands |
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If
you are new to the area, or simply would like to experience the
camaraderie of flotilla cruising, join us on this flotilla through the
US San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands. You and your crew can charter a boat of your own to
join the flotilla, or if you would like to split a boat with other
sailors, just let us know if you prefer the role of skipper or crew. |
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Dates:
Saturday, June 16 - Friday, June 22, 2012
Join
fellow sailors in cruising the beautiful San Juan Island and Gulf
Islands Archipelagos. This cruise offers a variety of excellent
cruising destinations to discover, including elegant resorts, small
island towns and idyllic anchorages.
Planned stops include
the lively and
historic city of Victoria (Vancouver Island), picturesque Maple Bay
(Vancouver Island), elegant Roche Harbor (San Juan Island), the pristine
anchorages of Sucia Island and the quiet, sandy beaches of Spencer Spit
(Lopez Island).
Optional group
activities include rafting, dinghy racing, log rolling, crabbing,
potlucks and impromptu sailboat races. Spot orca whales, dolphins,
seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. Led by ASA instructor, Roger
Philips, a veteran of the local island waters. Whether new to
these water or a frequent visitor who enjoys the camaraderie of flotilla
sailing, we think you will thoroughly enjoy this opportunity for
sailing, seamanship, adventure, and exploration.
Click the box below for further information, boat availability and
rates. |
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Fall
Guided Flotilla:
Desolation Sound |
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From
Bellingham journey through the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, and
Sunshine Coast to Princess Louisa and Desolation Sound. Three weeks
will allow for a leisurely pace and plenty of time to explore,
discovering the nature and history of this incredible cruising ground
along the way. Charter one of our well-maintained yachts yourself or, if
you prefer, we have several by-the-stateroom rental options available.
Advanced Learn-N-Cruise opportunities available too. |
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Dates:
Saturday, September 15 - Friday, October 5, 2012
(Tighter
schedule? A two-week option is available.)
Enjoy
daily history, weather, route, & naturalist briefings, camaraderie &
periodic “rafting” with complimentary beverages. The host boat
will carry additional spares and first aid supplies.
Charter the boat of your choice, plus flotilla fee ($250/week/boat)
or
By
the stateroom:
If this is a trip
that you’ve always wanted to make, but you are short on crew or
experience, consider reserving a stateroom on one of our larger 3-cabin
boats. $1400 per stateroom per week. Flotilla fees, food/beverages,
fuel, and moorage/dock fees will be split evenly between all aboard,
including the captain. |
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Flotilla Cruises | Sail Princess Louisa | Sail Gulf Islands | Sail San Juan Islands |
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