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 ✯
A playful and relaxing immersive 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
Butchart Gardens in Spring!
Destination Flotilla Cruise
April 12-17, 2023
Let's Cruise into Canada and Experience the sheer explosiveness of spring joy at Butchart Gardens!
This Cruise will include Ardenna - our larger cruising Sailboat, and Imagine, our Cruising Powerboat. 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.
Note: The forward stateroom on Imagine can be arranged as one double bed or two single beds.
Desolation Sound Expedition Community Cruises & Classes
Four Weeks to Choose From, Power or Sail
Participate & Learn; Chill & Relax - Choose Your Pace
Fully Supported by your Expert Captain
- Week 1 - The Journey North (August 23-29): Explore the Canadian Gulf Islands, cross the Strait of Georgia, bask in the Sunshine Coast.
- Ardenna will feature a Level-3/Bareboat Cruising Certification class on this leg.
- Imagine will host a Community Play & Learn cruise on this leg.
- Week 2 (August 30 - September 5): A full week immersed in Desolation Sound, the Inside Passage's most prized cruising destination.
- Imagine will host a Levels 1 & 2, Basic Powerboat Cruising Certification class
- Ardenna will enjoy a "Play & Learn" cruise with an immense amount of fun, relaxation and exploring in the Sound.
- Week 3 (September 6-12): Second week in Desolation Sound.
- Ardenna provide a Level-2 Basic Cruising Certification class in the Sound.
- Imagine will be doing the "Play & Learn" thing - enjoying and soaking up the experience of cruising in Desolation Sound.
- Week 4 (September 13-19) - The Journey South: Another opportunity to explore the Inside Passage from Desolation Sound to Anacortes.
- Imagine will feature a Level-3/Inshore Powerboat Cruising Certification class on this leg.
- Ardenna will host a Community Play & Learn cruise on this leg.
Travel Options - See Below
Week 1: The Journey North
August 23 - 29, 2023
Play & Learn Cruising on Imagine
- Enjoy an epic experience and learn new skills while you explore the Inside Passage at a relaxed pace on our incredibly comfortable and seaworthy trawler.
- Departs Anacortes August 23
- Arrives in Lund, BC August 29
- Consider staying on for another week in Desolation Sound
- Travel home options below
Ardenna Flagship Program Level-3
Bareboat Cruising Certification
- Advance your skills and Certification while you ply the Inside Passage
- No better place to train for cruising challenges anywhere in the world.
- Departs Anacortes August 23
- Most of your training is in the islands of BC
- Arrives in Lund, BC August 29
- Consider staying on for another week to play in Desolation Sound
- Travel home options below
Prerequisites:
- AFP Level-1 and your Basic Cruising Certification
- Navigation Essentials Completion (online)
- Coastal Navigation Completion (online)
Week 2: Desolation Sound
August 30 - September 5, 2023
Basic Powerboat Cruising Certification Intensive: Levels 1 & 2 Class in Desolation Sound
Register on the Imagine Program Page
Scroll down to find the Levels 1-2 Intensive, and choose August 30 - Sept 5 option in the dropdown.
Week 3: Desolation Sound
September 6 - 12, 2023
Register on the Ardenna Flagship Program Page
Under Level-2 find the drop down dates under the registration button for Sept 6-12 Desolation +.
Week 4: The Journey South
September 13-19, 2023
Travel To-From Lund - our meeting place at Desolation Sound:
- Going there & back? Drive the beautiful British Columbia Sunshine Coast (includes two short ferry rides), which can be done in a day - the most affordable option.
- Fly in and/or out of Lund on Kenmore Air out of their Lake Washington base
- Hybrid: Drive to Vancouver and then fly Pacific Coastal Airlines to Powell River. Shuttle to Lund from there (16 miles). About 1/4 the price of all the way with Kenmore Air.
Community Sailing & Cruising Days
All Graduates Invited - Any Level
Gain Experience • Refine Your Skills
Enjoy Sailing & Cruising on the Salish Sea
Coaching Provided
Sailing and Cruising with Friends and A Coach. Watch for 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
2023 Only: 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 or Nancy Lee
★ Transfer and upgrade your cruising skills to Imagine
★ Cozy, comfortable and safe winter cruising in any weather is at your doorstep
Custom/Class Extension Days
There are lots of reasons you might want to extend your class days: additional instruction and coaching time, creating a slower, more playful learning pace.... Or you might want to circle back later and add some additional instruction focused on specific skills.