Sailing Around Vancouver Island
No sailing experience required. I’m happy to teach someone how to sail. An individual is preferred due to limited space, but couples could definitely be considered for a shorter period. It’s important to me that the crew has a positive attitude and communicates compassionately. Also looking for individuals who are open minded, easy going, low maintenance, and eager to learn & work.
I‘m cruising very slow, meandering from place to place, instead of racing directly to my destination. Sometimes I stay at scenic anchorages for a couple days to hike and explore the islands. While sailing around these waters, I’ve seen hundreds of whales and dozens of bears. Typically, I anchor every night instead of being underway or staying at a dock. I like the wild remoteness of being at anchor. I feel extremely satisfied when I’m able to sail on and off anchor, and sail through narrow passages without using the noisy motor. I’ll be looking for surfing spots everywhere I go on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Feel free to read the elaborated info about the boat and me.
Crew would be asked to help with basics, such as holding the helm, trimming and flaking sails, taking turns cooking and cleaning. I’d expect crew to contribute with keeping the boat shipshape in shared spaces belowdecks. I’ll pay all dock and fuel fees and would prefer to split food costs.
My cat, Nemo, has been sailing with me for 3 years. He grew up on the boat and enjoys snuggles and running around on deck.
Feel free to message me with questions! Can’t wait to connect :)
Close
3 weeks in the Pacific Northwest
I began sailing with Colin as a complete novice and I could never have imagined the joys of cruising. Each day was packed with brand new experiences and sights. I wrote hundreds of words each day in a journal to record all that happened. I felt I was living in a Jules Verne novel and I didn’t miss the internet at all. Colin is a great teacher. He patiently explains the reasons behind everything and he points out all there is to notice (the wind, the currents, the tides, the color of the water, the direction of the waves on the surface, the kelp that signified shallow water, the clouds, even the phases of the moon.) He loves being in tune with nature and he helped me become more so as well. He is happy to let you take over important roles knowing that you need practice and that you won’t be perfect. It felt ok to make mistakes and learn. He is also responsible enough to take over when stakes are higher. Each day he let me know that he appreciated my help and he always pointed it out when he noticed i was improving. He has many books on sailing for you to learn from, but the best way to learn is to do it. It’s also surprisingly easy to share the space of the 26ft boat with him. He is kind, funny, caring, a great cook, and an animated storyteller. He can go on and on about sailing adventures of his or others. He loves the history of sailing too. His lesson on paper navigation was especially humbling as I imagined sailors of old times relying solely on analog devices. Most pertinently, he was great at anticipating our needs (showers, laundry, groceries etc.) I felt well cared for during my entire trip. I could not have spent 3 weeks better!
4th Jul 2025