Gio & Julie Cappelli
We are both graduates of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology Program and Mahina Expeditions offshore sail training with John Neal. Only a few months purchased our Malӧ 39 we sailed from Mexico to Hawaii, and Hawaii to British Columbia. We continue to explore, cruise, and teach others how to get started in the self-sufficient cruising life.
Gio is ABYC certified in Marine Diesel Engines and Marine Systems and previously worked as a fishery biologist and motorboat operator instructor. Julie is ABYC certified in Marine Electrical, a NMEA certified Marine Electronics and Advanced NMEA 2000 Installer, and has worked as a scuba instructor, marine biologist, and expedition leader. Both of us are USCG licensed Masters with sail endorsements, have sailed over 20,000 offshore miles, and enjoy contract expedition work with National Geographic Expeditions/Lindblad.
In addition to running Pelagic Blue, we teach offshore cruising workshops and classes with John Neal of Mahina Offshore Services, Michael Beemer of Skagit Valley College's Cruisers College, and the American Sailing Association (ASA). When we’re not at sea you can find us planning our next big offshore cruise, and helping our clients get ready to set sail for distant shores.
Meet the Team
Gio Cappelli
Gio is ABYC certified in Marine Diesel Engines and Marine Systems, Yamaha ITOS certified, and a USCG licensed Master with sail endorsement. He’s been working on cars, boats, and houses for decades and previously worked as a fish biologist and motorboat operator instructor for the Department of Interior. He loves a good mechanical or electrical challenge and is a champion spearfisherman. His life goal is to spearfish in every ocean on the planet. Brrr!
Julie Cappelli
Julie is ABYC certified in Marine Electrical, Yamaha ITOS certified, a NMEA certified Electronics & Advanced NMEA2000 Installer, and a USCG licensed Master with sailing endorsement. She’s been trying to grow a set of gills her entire life, and has worked as a marine biologist, scuba instructor, and expedition leader. She loves a good electrical or cruising logistics challenge and is an absolute genius when it comes to tracking down the gremlins hiding in your boats electronics networks. Her life goal is to meet every species of whale in every ocean on the planet. There are about 94 currently recognized species and so far she's got 15!
John Neal
Since founding Mahina Offshore Services in 1976, John has taught nearly 200 offshore cruising seminars and conducted boat purchase consultations for more than 12,000 people. Since 1989 he has sailed over 400,000 miles and led 274 offshore sail training expeditions worldwide, including rounding Cape Horn six times. John has authored, co-authored, or contributed to seventeen books and more than 150 magazine articles. He currently holds a USCG 100-ton Master and FAA private pilot licenses.
With 50 years of global ocean sailing experience plus boatbuilding, surveying, previously owning a yacht brokerage, and maintaining four ocean cruising boats, John provides an incomparable wealth of ocean cruising knowledge and experience. Much of our training, inspiration, and safety ethos are derived from the exceptional cruising preparation we received from John. We feel extremely fortunate to have John as a mentor and to teach alongside him at his offshore cruising seminars.