Category: Nautical Courses

GREAT WORDS FROM A NEW BOATER!

We get mail about our live-aboard courses …

A little free publicity for Sea Sense Boating … I spent Sunday through Friday with Capt Carol Cuddyer and Capt. Jill McCarthy as instructors, and Diana as my fellow student, on a 42′ Californian power yacht.  I came away with a new confidence in my ability to drive, dock and anchor a boat.  I can read a chart, plot a course.  I know the Rules of the Road, I can navigate through crab pots, various markers, and how to use the radio.  Of course, I have much to learn yet but I’m ready to partner with my husband in life aboard a boat!  I highly recommend this company – owned by and operated by women, both licensed captains, extremely knowledgeable and very patient.  Carol owns the company with Patti and they have been doing the teaching, moving boats all over (including in other parts of the world), readying folks for handling their own boats for well over 20 years.  Love them, love what they do!   Gena

SAILING IN THE BAHAMAS IN 2017

The Bahama Islands are a sailing paradise, easy to get to and so close to home.  It’s an incredible feeling to sail in the Sea of Abaco with the trade winds blowing, all the while tucked behind the barrier islands with calm and brilliant blue water.  There are small settlements, snug harbors and deserted white sand beaches.  It is a fantastic place to learn or upgrade skills, while chasing away the winter blahs and getting ready for the sailing season.  The 8 day live-aboard sailing class will be taught aboard a comfortable, modern sloop, and departs from Marsh Harbour.

The women-only course is April 29 through May 6, 2017.  See the Sailing Schedule Page for more details!

IS REPOSITIONING YOUR BOAT IN YOUR FUTURE?

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Do you see a re-positioning trip for your boat in your future?  Call SEA SENSE about a Teaching Delivery, where you learn as you go!

Recently, SEA SENSE was contacted to do a Teaching Delivery from St. Charles, MO to St. Petersburg, FL.  The couple who called had just purchased a 50+ foot powerboat and wanted to bring it to warmer waters for winter cruising.  As they were former sailors, this boat would be a totally new experience.  They wanted to learn about their boat and have instructors who were familiar with their type of boat and with the journey to Florida, a route the instructors had done many times.

The trip started on the Mississippi River heading downstream near St. Louis, the western side of the Great Loop. It would be a journey filled with many first-time experiences for them!  The teaching delivery would include the Mississippi River, the Ohio River, The Tennessee River, the Tennessee-Tombigby Waterway, Intracoastal Waterway and an offshore crossing of the Gulf of Mexico to arrive at Tampa Bay.  In addition, there would be tugs and barges (called “tows” on the river) to deal with, huge locks including some of the largest in the U.S., strong currents, and many shallow areas.  They learned so much from this voyage and we are sure that they will be successful in all their future cruising.

When we start a SEA SENSE Teaching Delivery, one of our philosophies is that we prepare as much as is humanly possible, but we know that the boat has a plan that it is keeping to itself and Mother Nature has a plan that she’s not talking about either!  So we have our charts and cruising guides, we’ve checked out the boat, we have our plan for the days ahead, we’ve checked on the weather and we deal with surprises along the way.

SEA SENSE has done Teaching Deliveries as short as two or three days and as long as several months.

Thinking about moving your boat?  Give us a call or email!IMG_6454

LET’S GO SAILING IN ITALY! ANDIAMO!

ANDIAMO!! – LET’S GO!  SAILING IN ITALY!Coast (2)

An irresistible 8-day sailing class for women along the Amalfi coast of Italy is planned with SEA SENSE. Learn sailing or increase your skills in the sparkling blue water along Italy’s incredibly beautiful Amalfi coast, the Gulf of Napoli and on to the famous Isle of Capri. Enjoy cruising to ancient towns like Sorrento and Positano, perched on sheer cliffs overlooking the sea.

For 26 years, SEA SENSE has been providing women the opportunity to become competent and comfortable as both skipper and crew. The course will be taught by women captains who are familiar with Italian cruising.

 

“We’ve sailed here several times and it is such an incredible area to see and appreciate by boat. It’s a treat for the senses! In addition to sailing, there will be plenty of time to explore and to soak up the region’s rich culture, cafes and shops”, said Capt. Patti Moore, co-founder.

 

The class will be held September 24-October 1, 2016 aboard a fully-equipped 42’ sloop. This live-aboard course provides afull range of hands-on instruction. Subjects taught include seamanship, sail trim, engine maintenance, close-quarters maneuvering, Mediterranean docking techniques “Med mooring”, navigation and cruise planning.  jpos 19This course provides the skills necessary for cruising under sail.. The price is $3595, which includes breakfasts, lunches, snacks and non-alcohol beverages, plus a substantial dose of fun! http://www.seasenseboating.com/blog/

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BAHAMAS SAILING 2016

Picture the Bahamas and what do you see? White sands and clear turquoise water??IMG_8097IMG_8067EIMG_8171                           How about sailing in 15 knots of wind with 2 inch seas? This is sailing in the Sea of Abaco – fantastic! Just to the east of Florida, the islands of the Bahamas form an archipelago that covers over 5oo miles of some of the most pristine waters on earth.

Easy to get to, the Bahamas are a great place to improve your sailing skills in warm gentle trade winds. After a day’s sailing, there will be time to visit the charming settlements, walk the beautiful beaches and check out a laid back beach bar.

What’s not to love?

Join us for a week long sailing adventure May 14 – 21, 2016 IMG_8107IMG_8105

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