Frequently Asked Questions, Sea Bag and Book Lists

You should have a little prior sailing experience and know that you enjoy, or are open to enjoying, sailing. We do not expect you to be an expert sailor, or even an intermediate sailor. Your willingness to learn is far more important than current skill level. If you have questions regarding your present skill level, please contact us.

You bet. In fact, we recommend it! Learning gets solidified the more "seat time" you get, and staying on for consecutive legs will give you added depth and breadth of both skill and knowledge.

Start by completing the short application form on our website. We’ll respond within 24–48 hours to confirm berth availability on your requested leg(s). If space is available, we’ll send you a more detailed expedition questionnaire and medical form to complete.

After we review your full application and accept you onboard, we’ll send an invoice for a $500 deposit to secure your berth. The remaining balance is due within 15 days of acceptance if your expedition is in the same calendar year, or by January 1 of the expedition year if your trip is scheduled for the following year. Acceptance is based on berth availability and suitability for the expedition. If you are not accepted, any deposit you’ve paid will be refunded promptly.

Your berth fee includes instruction, food, fuel, and moorage. It does not cover airfare, visas, meals ashore, personal expenses, or personal insurance.

In the unfortunate event you must cancel, you’ll receive a full refund (minus the $500 deposit) if we’re notified in writing at least 150 days before departure and we’re able to rebook your berth. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel and trip cancellation insurance. We recommend DAN Boater Insurance for global coverage.

Our teaching program includes at least 3-6 hours per day of dedicated instruction. Each topic we cover is clearly documented in the 116-page Expedition Companion textbook that includes checklists, forms, guidelines and procedures that can be applied specifically to your boat. We have written tests after each topic covered to ensure you are retaining the information presented.

Learn to stay hydrated as hydration is key to minimizing seasickness and fatigue. Improve your swimming skills and consider taking up yoga or strength training to increase your balance and safety on deck. Keep an open mind and be flexible. If you're nervous about your skill or knowledge level, just let us know. We're more than happy to recommend specific preparatory learning materials for you.

Yes! Ocean voyaging is far more physically demanding than most people anticipate. Expedition members frequently tell us they wished they had taken the time to exercise daily before joining us and certainly before taking off cruising. We've learned that people who exercise daily are far better at handling ocean sailing conditions than those who don't. Swimming, strength training, and yoga and the best possible exercises to prepare you for ocean voyaging.

No, it is important that each person assigned a task be the one to complete it for learning and development. It is important to us to uphold this value.

Upon successful completion of a training expedition you will receive an official letter of sea service, and/or a certificate documenting your experience. These documents can be used as part of your sailing resume for maritime employers, charter boat companies, insurance, and more. Your sea service letter follows USCG requirements for mariners applying for licenses and can be used toward an official license application. It is important to understand that when applying for offshore insurance or chartering a boat on your own, you will be asked for a sailing resume, documenting your experience, rather than a list of certifications.

Expedition members have joined us from many different countries, but all share a common interest in learning all they can about ocean voyaging while exploring exotic and remote destinations. Many lasting friendships form during expeditions and we are honored to have repeat crew members.

Not at all. While underway at least two people are on deck duty watch at all times. Each person has their own bunk and dedicated storage and there are two heads.

Eagerness to learn, thoughtfulness, ability to compromise, respect, sense of humor, and the ability to put safety of the boat and crew first are far more important than sailing skills.

We use a daily revolving duty roster that includes captain, navigator, galley assistant, engineer, weather briefer, cockpit, interior, and head cleaning. Our goal is for you to understand what is involved in shipboard life so you can run your own boat safely while ocean voyaging.

You'll always stand watch with another expedition member, alternating hand-steering for 30-minute intervals with watch standing. During the day we use one hour watches with an average of two hours off. At night underway watches are two hours long with an average of four hours off.

Hand steering, hourly log entries, lookout, trimming sails, navigating, checking radar and AIS, monitoring weather.

Yes. 80% of the time we will have cell coverage, however we ask that you restrict phone calls, emails, and messaging to when you're ashore so that you can be fully present.

See the detailed Sea Bag List below.