As the title suggests, I'd like to do a multi-day sailing trip in the Puget Sound area, and I have a few questions:
How should I go about finding a boat? I can't really find places that rent out large-ish sailboats for multiple days.
What kind of licensing, etc. would I need?
Why can't I remember the rest of my questions? I guess that's what the edit feature is for...
Posted Mar 14, 2012, 1:22 AM UTC
when are you thinking about going? i may have an avenue for you
Anywhere, really. Although I'd prefer to stay in the Sound. So far, the only part of the itinerary I've got figured out is to take the timeline, multiply it by 1.5, and use that as the actual timeline.
I regularly do raids. These are multi day sails in small craft. You DON'T need a big boat! Google Florida 120, Texas 200, Outer Banks 130, BEER cruise... You should find good info in those sites. Also check out duckworks: great online magazine that caters to smaller cruisers.
As far as size goes, I'd like to have the opportunity to sleep everyone on board, I find it's far more laid-back if you don't have to find some place to camp every night. That being said, decks, hallways, tables, and booms/sails/sail covers (assuming the boom can support the weight) are all valid sleeping options.
Assuming the boat has nice seat covers, sleeping in the cockpit under a biminy in the summer is one of the most enjoyable things I can imagine. We used to sleep 11 on my grandparent's pearson 424 this way.
I'm currently building a trimaran for that. Very fast build (I have the hull planked after about 40 hours. I expect another 100 total. Note that this is my 6th boat). Nice thing is that it uses a used beach cat for the outriggers and the sail rig. So I have those without any build time for about $700 I paid for a used prindle 16. About $1,000 in materials into the boat... That's a LOT of bang for the buck!
I don't like that kind of middle ground. Daysailers that are shaped like big boats but use centerboards freak me out. In known conditions with the option to back out they're fine (I've skippered lightnings and blue jays for races), but if I'm going to trust something on the water for an extended amount of time it's either a boat I have full control over (laser, 420), or something capable with a keel.
Outside of all that, I think you and OP are on different pages. He seems to be asking for a week on a boat, and you're suggesting the sailing equivalent of a canoe trip. Camping with a boat is fun and it's something I did for 5 days a few summers back with a few friends and 2 420s, but it's an entirely different experience than what OP is going for.
I want to say that there are sailboat charters out of Anacortes or Bellingham, both skippered and not. But, like other folks have said, it's no small thing to take sOmeone else's boat on a trip (I'm assuming to the San Juans?). Docking or anchoring a big boat is an important thing to know how to do, as well as some basic foul weather sailing knowledge in case you get caught in the open. Other than that, basic knowledge of the specific boat systems and marine rules of the road are important, knowledge of tides and currents in the Sound, and a crew of at least one person to help you would be good too. I wish I had better advice beyond making a friend with a boat, but that's probably your best bet to get the necessary skills and information if you're looking for an unskippered charter boat to rent. Good luck! Sailing up there is awesome!
PS - in WA you don't need a boating card if the engine has less than 15 HP. Insurance is another matter, but most charters have their own methods of getting you covered if you research it a bit.
[deleted]
I do know how to sail, but a formal course probably wouldn't do me any harm, and my resume wouldn't be terribly impressive. You wouldn't happen to know of any quick certification in the Seattle area, would you?
[deleted]
Check out Windworks They also charter. Maybe ask around at the Puget Sound Sailing Group.
A good place to start is doing a google search on chartering in the area.