BOAT CONSULTATION & MENTORING SERVICE

We have professionally consulted with and mentored dozens of people seeking to purchase, refit, and outfit cruising boats. Our experience in the marine industry is unique; thousands of miles ocean sailing experience plus professional training, marine technician work, surveying, and project management. We’ve also owned and maintained an ocean cruising boat of our own.

Embarking on a cruising adventure means having a boat that's as ready as you are for the journey ahead. Whether you're preparing for a long voyage, outfitting a brand-new boat, or ensuring your current vessel is in top shape for seasonal cruising, we're here to help you prioritize, plan, and execute your boating projects with confidence.

We specialize in guiding boat owners through the often overwhelming process of preparing and refining their vessels—whether that means tackling a major refit, selecting system components for a new build, or simply getting to know a new or new-to-you boat from stem to stern. With years of experience in the cruising and marine industry, we understand the unique demands of offshore and long-distance cruising. Our goal is to make sure your boat is not only safe and functional, but ready for the adventure you’ve always dreamed of.

What We Offer:

New Boat & Vessel System Design Evaluation: Whether you're building from scratch or customizing a new production boat, we’ll review system plans and help you make smart, informed decisions about layouts, systems, and gear.
Refit Prioritization: We’ll help you assess your boat’s current condition and determine which projects to tackle first—based on your budget, timeline, and cruising goals.
Project Planning & Consulting: From systems upgrades to full-scale refits, we’ll help you create a clear, actionable plan to move forward with confidence.
New Boat Walk-Thrus: Just bought a boat and feeling overwhelmed? We'll walk through your vessel with you—onboard or remotely—to help you understand what you have, how it works, and what needs attention.
DIY Support: If you're doing some of the work yourself, we’re happy to offer expert advice, second opinions, or just a sounding board as you go.

Whether you’re just getting started, mid-project, or coming home with a punch list, we’re here to support your vision and help ensure your boat is ready for whatever’s next. Let us help you refit—and outfit—right.

What's Included

Analysis of your cruising plans, boat refit, and outfitting priorities
Discussion of what it will take to prepare you, your crew, and your boat
Analysis of the projects or systems you are currently considering, focusing on safety, comfort, departure timeline, and budget
Suggestion of additional projects & preparation to consider
Recommendations for system upgrades
Evaluation of current gear and equipment with recommendations of additional gear needed for safe extended voyaging
Assistance reviewing and evaluating project bids
Unbiased referrals to professional service providers worldwide

You Will Also Receive

Live support sessions (virtual or in-person) tailored to your goals and needs
Project-specific resources and guidance
Access to us for questions, assistance, and recommendations
Professional, detailed responses to all your project, maintenance, and cruising questions
Exclusive vendor discounts; we provide these for products we use and receive zero kickbacks or commissions.

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Why Get Help With Your Boat?

Because it's a lot to learn, and you want to make sure you get it right! We completed professional marine maintenance training and are certified through the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) and National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) which set industry standards for safety and technology. This is not something you can accomplish without rigorous preparation far beyond what you'll find on YouTube.

These certifications require passing demanding exams and meeting continuous education requirements. The standards set by these organizations have helped us tailor our approach to ensure you are tackling your boat refit and cruising preparations safely and efficiently.

We've taught and mentored dozens of people seeking to understand and execute simple projects and extensive offshore refits on their cruising boats. Our experience in the marine industry is unique in that we have managed and operated fleets of work boats plus working and teaching in the marine trades. And of course, we also own and maintain an ocean cruising boat.

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How It Works

We'll start by discussing your goals, skills, and what areas of your refit and cruising preparations you need help with. Every boat and every sailor's situation is unique and thus every consultation is totally custom to your needs.

After our initial evaluation, discussions, and if desired in-person boat visit, we'll send you a custom initial refit strategy recommendation so that you can start making meaningful progress toward your goals immediately.

As part of your consultation we will also discuss ways we can continue to provide you with the best possible support so that you can reach your refit goals moving forward.

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

"Pelagic Blue Cruising was recommended as consultants as we embarked on a refit of our new to us boat. Julie & Gio Cappelli specifically worked with us on our electrical system overhaul, but they also had so much knowledge to share about cruising in general.

From the very first interaction, they demonstrated unparalleled expertise, professionalism, and a passion for everything related to cruising. What truly sets Pelagic Blue apart is their personalized approach. They took the time to get to know us a bit and understand our cruising goals and what we wanted from our electrical system. Julie and Gio designed a safe and robust electrical system that would meet our needs.

In addition to their expertise, the level of customer care they provide is exceptional. Communication is clear, prompt, and we felt they always had our best interests at heart. They came to our boat a couple of times and spent hours making sure they understood our goals, current electrical system and to go over our entire electrical system once we had completed the install. They promptly answered and returned countless phone calls, emails and texts, even while they were out on the water themselves.

The entire process, from planning to execution, was smooth and stress-free, making for a wonderful experience. The consultants at Pelagic Blue not only have deep knowledge of setting your boat up for cruising, but also a genuine love for the lifestyle. Julie & Gio were incredibly encouraging to us throughout this entire process and we are definitely inspired by them. We truly enjoyed working with them and cannot recommend Pelagic Blue Cruising enough."

-SV First Light

"I would like to recommend “Pelagic Blue Cruising”. I am 70 years old and have been actively sailing my own boats for over 40 years.

One example is that I had two top experts trained in B&G equipment trouble shoot my autopilot with my self installed B&G instruments. The autopilot should steer a compass heading, but when I asked it to navigate to a waypoint - it would go crazy- veering ten degrees back and forth. Even the B&G Teck from the factory couldn’t figure it out on a face time with me onboard.

So Julie come aboard, looks things over, notices that the Zeus plotter is set to True and the autopilot is set to Magnet. She changes the autopilot to the True setting and -wham- the problem went away. I later found out that Julie and Gio were trained originally as scientists so they look at problems a lot deeper that the typical marine Technician might.

Gio is high energy and totally committed to detail and doing things

the proper way. As an example- Gio was installing a high output alternator kit with a separate smart regulator and serpentine belt kit. The boat was in La Paz Mexico. Gio gave me a parts list to bring down from San Diego with everything needed down to the last wire connector. He had it neatly installed on the Yanmar in one long day. It worked perfect and put out the higher amps we needed to make a passage.

They are honest, will tell you the truth -even if it hurts- and will get your job done well. What more could a sailor ask?"

-Harry T.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU REFIT, OUTFIT, AND SET SAIL

Project Planning & Consulting

We will work with you to learn your boat’s systems, structure, and readiness for offshore or extended cruising. We’ll coach you through a comprehensive vessel investigation that will help you identify any immediate needs or “finger trouble”. From there, we’ll help you create a vessel refit plan that prioritizes the projects and skills that will be most critical to your cruising success. Then it’s time to get to work! You will receive personalized, professional guidance through as much of your refit as you choose.

DIY Support

Learning how to work on your own boat is a nonnegotiable cruising skill that will allow you to confidently cruise further afield and stay out longer. No one wants to miss out on a great cruising season waiting for parts or a mechanic. We can help you plan new projects, troubleshoot pesky bugs, and teach you how to DIY the right way which will help you avoid costly mistakes and curtailed cruising. We are authorized resellers of many marine components and can help you source parts and supplies, often at a savings to you.

Cruising Guidance

When you are at sea, the best, and sometimes the only resources you have, are what’s on your boat and what’s in your brain. We can help you prepare for that. Whether you need help selecting the right boat to purchase, developing DIY maintenance skills, planning your cruise, provisioning, or deciding where to start, we will ensure you depart prepared for confident, capable cruising. Don't forget we are marine biologists and active fish folk, so we can also help you build your offshore fishing tackle box!

Please note we are trained, certified professionals. We do not accept commissions from anyone. We only recommend products and services we trust ourselves.

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