Bareboat Charters
Enter Here for Graduate Charters
Independent Charters are available for all Graduates upon completion of your training or experienced mariner Crossover process.
✯ Community Cruising ✯
Playful and relaxing learning experiences - Explore the Salish Sea & Inside Passage with the support of a highly skilled & knowledgable Captain.
The experiences below are open to all who wish to experience immersive cruising on the Salish Sea and beyond - no prerequisites required.
Butchart Gardens in Spring!
Destination Cruise on Ardenna
April 12-17, 2023
Let's Cruise into Canada and Experience the sheer explosiveness of spring joy at Butchart Gardens!
This Cruise will feature Ardenna - our Flagship Sabre 402. Here's the general plan:
- April 12 (Wednesday): Cast off from Anacortes and cruise through the San Juan Islands under sail/power to Reid Harbor at Stuart Island. Anchor for the night.
- April 13 (Thursday): Cruise to Sidney BC for a brief Customs stop, then on into Saanich Inlet and Butchart Gardens.
- April 14 (Friday): We will provide Butchart Gardens Tickets for everyone. Being there on a Friday should result in fewer crowds than the weekend.
- April 15 (Saturday): Cruise to Sucia Island and anchor in Echo Bay
- April 16 (Sunday): Enjoy a day exploring the beautiful Sucia Island State Park. Trails, beaches, crabbing, etc.
- April 17 (Monday): Cruise from Sucia Island back to Anacortes.
Our Spring Butchart Gardens Destination Cruise is Full, but much more Community Cruising Experiences are to come, including Butchart Gardens again - at Christmas!
Community Cruising has been very popular. Reach out to express your interest and we'll include you in our plans and expeditions.
Community Sailing & Cruising Days
Gain Experience • Refine Your Skills
Enjoy Sailing & Cruising on the Salish Sea
with a Captain/Instructor and Friends
Watch for Event Postings or Make a Request:
- Supported day sailing or power cruising for all Community members - grow your experience and confidence.
- Open form coaching based on group requests/consensus
- Skills Clinics: Crew Overboard Rescue, Navigation, Docking, Sail Trim... you name it!
Imagine Crossover Training:
SU Graduate Special
Form Your Own Group or Join a Scheduled Class
You can Crossover at any level you have trained on Nancy Lee or Ardenna - Fast Track to skilled Powerboat Cruising!
Cruising Powerboat Foundations - Crossover Class
★ Two Days instead of 3 - for those already trained on Nancy Lee or Ardenna
★ Cruising Powerboat Systems - a big step up in sophistication
★ Maneuvering & docking a 40,000 pound trawler - you can do this!!
Imagine San Juan Power Cruising - Crossover Class
★ Two Days instead of 4 - for those with Level-2 Certification on Ardenna
★ Transfer and upgrade your cruising skills to Imagine
★ Cozy, comfortable and safe winter cruising in any weather is at your doorstep
Imagine San Juan Power Cruising - Crossover Class
★ Two Days instead of 4 - for those with Level-2 Certification on Ardenna
★ Transfer and upgrade your cruising skills to Imagine
★ Cozy, comfortable and safe winter cruising in any weather is at your doorstep
Or Combine Levels 1 & 2 for a 4-day Basic Powerboat Cruising Certification Crossover
Flat Discount Crossover Tuitions for You or Your Group
Do a Standard Registration or Customize your class
Desolation Sound Expedition Postponed to 2024
What Happened?
Stay tuned for a full blog article on why the marine insurance industry has been shrinking - pulling out and pulling back coverages - both commercially and recreationally. While Mission of Shearwater University has always been to restore the skills needed for safe boating on the Salish Sea and beyond, it has not prevented our small and skills-focused operation from being affected by the changes in the industry at-large - caused directly by the sheer amount of losses they have to cover due to underprepared boaters going out in boats big and small. Shearwater University has never had any accidents or insurance claims in our 8 years of operation on the Salish Sea, helping hundreds of private boat owners and hundreds of our own Sailing & Cruising Community members become competent and safe and prepared for the challenges of the Salish Sea and beyond.
As we complete our insurance transition, we are offering a full season of sailing and power cruising classes and Community Sailing & Cruising opportunities in the San Juans and Canadian Gulf Islands. There are no limits to the skill & experience development experiences we have, and we will be heading back north in 2024!
