I offer a few classes in September and October 2024 for folks interested in solo, Ranger Tug, or other training.
As many folks following this blog know, when I returned from my Great Loop adventure in August 2024, I did a lot of cruising in the San Juan Islands and Inside Passage areas before putting my boat to bed for the winter. In the spring, I added it to the San Juan Yachting fleet of charter boats, where it’s available for week-long bareboat charters. I normally leave the schedule wide open until I identify gaps in scheduling where I can put myself in as a client to charter the boat. During those times, I offer training services.
Training with San Juan Yachting
I should mention here that I am also an instructor for San Juan Yachting, which offers a wide range of American Boating certified classes for boaters. They actually require the completion of one of these classes (or the equivalent) before allowing the boats in their fleet to be chartered. Their Power Learn-n-Cruise class is a great way to see the San Juan Islands while learning to cruise in a single- or twin-engine powerboat. Although they offer custom classes, their excellent Learn-n-Cruise class requires at least three attendees to run.
Training with Me on Do It Now
The classes I offer on my own in my boat are not the same as those that San Juan Yachting offers. Instead, I offer training on topics that San Juan Yachting is not interested in offering, including solo cruising, Ranger Tug systems and cruising, Garmin chartplotter and autopilot use, and “first mate” training. I offer all of these classes for just one or two students at a time. Because of this smaller class size, you’ll be able to get plenty of time at the helm and more individualized attention for your specific needs.
All classes start and end at Bellingham, WA, in the Squalicum Harbor Marina where my boat lives. That’s about 90 minutes north of SeaTac, an hour north of Seattle, or just minutes from Bellingham Airport. (I may be able to provide transportation from Bellingham Airport; from other locations, you’re on your own.)
Do It Now anchored at a mooring ball at Sucia Island.
Class Lengths and Fees
I can do all of these classes over the course of 1 to 5 days, depending on the class. I can suggest the following lengths for classes:
- Garmin Chartplotter and Autopilot – 1 day
- First Mate – 1 to 2 days
- Solo Cruising – 2 to 5 days
- Ranger Tug Systems & Cruising – 1 to 5 days
The length of the class depends mostly on your skills, how much practice you need/want, and how much time (and money) you want to spend with me on my boat in the beautiful San Juan Islands. Classes more than one day in length include overnight accommodations on board, participants traveling together will be required to share a berth. Students can opt to stay, at their own expense, at a hotel near any marina within the cruising area.
Classes can start as early as 8 AM and can finish as late as 6 PM. Partial days count as full days for the purpose of calculating fees.
These are not bareboat cruises. I provide lunch and beverages each day and, for classes that include overnight stays, breakfast and dinner at anchor or on mooring balls. (If a class includes a marina stay and off-boat dining is available, students are encouraged to “self-host” meals, although enough food should be available on board to whip up a meal.)
One of the possible overnight destinations is Jones Island, where we can practice mooring or anchoring with a stern tie to shore. There are also great trails on the island if you want some off-boat activity.
I charge $500 per person per calendar day for classes. I can take up to 2 people in a class. (I may be able to take more than two people for a one-day course.) A 50% deposit is required to confirm a reservation; full payment is required before boarding.
Availability this Autumn
That said, I have the following dates open on my calendar for classes*:
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| Aug 30 (open) | ||||||
| Aug 31 (open) | Sep 1 (open) | Sep 2 (open) | Sep 3 (open) | Sep 4 (open) | Sep 5 (open) | |
| Sep 27 (open) | ||||||
| Sep 28 (open) | Sep 29 (open) | Sep 30 (open) | Oct 1 (open) | Oct 2 (booked) | Oct 3 (open) | Oct 4 (open) |
| Oct 5 (booked) | Oct 6 (booked) | Oct 7 (booked) | Oct 8 (booked) | Oct 9 (booked) | Oct 10 (booked) |
* I will update availability here as indicated.
A look back through Deception Pass, notorious for its tidal currents. I cover tidal currents and other natural phenomena of concern to cruises in many of my classes — or if students want to know more.
Interested?
If you’re interested in this, contact me ASAP. Availability is subject to change as I get confirmed reservations or make changes to my plans.
