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What
do the trips include?
A Coast Guard licensed captain, chef, a double berth cabin with private head (bathroom) aboard the boat, use of all equipment and amenities while aboard the boat and all meals (except one dinner per week.) Meals start with dinner on the day of your arrival and end with breakfast on the day of your departure. Beds are made up prior to your arrival with sheets, blankets, and comforters. Towels, washcloths, soap and shampoo are also included. Trips do not include fishing & shellfish licenses, or alcohol.
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How
much experience do I need?
NONE! We have structured our trips for people at any level.
Many of our guests are sailing for the first time while others
own their own boats back home.
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We
don't know anything about boating, can we learn?
You can always do as much or as little as you like! We are happy
to teach and put you to work on the various aspects of sailing.
We are not a "sailing school" -- our routine is relaxed and
learn as you go. While many of our guests are eager to learn
about sailing there is an equal number of people who prefer
to relax and let us do the work. It's your vacation so we invite
and encourage you to do as you like.
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What
kind of shape do we need to be in?
You should be in good health and able to move about easily without balance issues. You need to be capable of negotiating a few stairs and be able to step in and out of the dinghy (zodiac) to go ashore on some islands. No great strength is required.
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Is
sailing in the islands safe?
No one has ever had a serious injury aboard our boats as safety
is our primary concern. Our captain monitors the marine weather
forecast daily and in the unlikely event of a storm, the captain
will move the boat to a secure location.
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Will
you be able to tell us about the local Flora and Fauna?
Both your captain and crew are familiar with most of the plants
and animals that are found in the islands. They will be happy
to answer your questions.
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Will
we be stuck on the boat all the time?
No. We generally stop at different islands each day and provide
plenty of opportunity to get off and walk/hike and explore.
There are many islands with wonderful trails with a variety
of hiking difficulty. We have a sea kayak on board that you
can use to explore the bays we visit. We also have equipment
to crab or fish from our Zodiac-style inflatable. We always
stop mid-week at Friday Harbor to reprovision. This gives you
an opportunity to browse, visit the Whale Museum, shops and
art galleries. On some islands you may swim in mountain lakes
or enjoy resort pools, mineral springs & hot tubs, rent bicycles,
mopeds, or even go scuba diving.
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Will
I be uncomfortable, cold, or wet?
NO. We have designed our boat with your comfort in mind. A large
dodger or bimini with side curtains protects the cockpit from
wet weather, wind or spray. In cooler weather we have a heating
system that warms the entire boat. Even the marine toilets are
user friendly - just push a foot pedal!
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Will
we be able to shower?
Yes. We have 400 gallons of water for dishes and showering but
we also take on water about midway on your trip. Each
head (bathroom) has its own shower area. Showers can be
taken at the marina facilities ashore on some islands if you
prefer.
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What
can I hope to get out of this trip?
We hope part of the reason you are joining us is to experience
life aboard a sailboat. You will see some beautiful scenery
and wildlife and get to know some new friends (those being us,
your crew). Being aboard the boat is like having a moving sanctuary
that supports all your needs. You will become aware of the winds,
tides, and the natural rhythm of the islands. We guarantee this
is a relaxing trip.
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What
kind of people sail with you?
People of all ages and backgrounds have enjoyed our trips. Active,
inquisitive, open minded, flexible, and those who appreciate
the beauty of the outdoors are words that might best describe
our typical guest.
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Is
there an established and set itinerary, or will we have input?
Our normal route through the islands highlights some of the
finest anchorages and sights of the area. If your group
is booking the entire boat, we can offer a custom itinerary
to match your interests with your activities. Each day
we offer you choices of different anchorages and activities
based on the weather and our local knowledge, giving you the
absolute best experience!
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Will
we be able to see Orca (killer) whales?
Three pods of Orca Whales call the San Juan Islands their home.
The pods may have more than 20 whales in each group! We can
certainly plan your trip to cruise through areas where we know
the whales are often found. They tend to roam in search of their
favorite food: salmon. Throughout our season we seem to see
Orca Whales on the average of about 50% of the time. We are
often visited by schools of Harbor or Dahl's porpoise who have
great fun playing in our bow wake! We also encounter harbor
seals, sea lions, otters, eagles, and other wildlife.
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Is
seasickness a problem for many people?
No. The San Juans are actually considered inland waters due
to the protection of 250 mile long Vancouver Island -- so there
is no ocean swell. We have had many clients who have
been extremely concerned and have brought all sorts of medications
(patches, pills, wrist bands, etc.) which they never used.
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What
if we don't have a group of six?
If you're traveling as a couple or with two couples, we offer the ability to book a "stateroom only" one week of every month. We will take care of filling any remaining cabins on the boat and you can meet other interesting people to share your adventure. If you prefer a private charter just with your group of four, we will only charge for 1/2 of the remaining empty cabin. We still encourage you to make up your own group of six for the best discount. Call for more information.
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Do
you ever take single people?
Yes. The best option we have for people traveling alone is to have you join a group by booking a "stateroom only" on one of the available weeks each month. You will have your own private cabin and bathroom. The cost for a single cabin is an additional 50% of the "stateroom only" rate.
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How
many passengers can the boat handle?
Northwind is a roomy 50' Catalina sloop rigged sailboat with
four double berth staterooms, each with its own private bathroom.
We can very comfortably accommodate six people, and two crew
with room to spare! We will never take more than six people
to avoid crowding.
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Will
you take families with young children? Can we get a discount
for the kids?
Younger folks usually have a great time aboard the boat: fishing,
crabbing, and exploring the islands. Although if your children
are easily restless or need to be constantly entertained, then
a boat vacation may be too confining for them. We offer a 10%
discount for parties of six who reserve the entire boat.
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We
are experienced boaters and would prefer bareboating.
We ourselves would choose a crewed or skippered charter if sailing
in unknown waters, to have the very best and relaxed vacation
possible. With us all you have to do is show up with your toothbrush
and away we go! No tedious boat check-out that can take hours,
no having to go through every system on the boat hoping you
don't have to actually remember it, no having to do the menu
planning and shopping, no cooking the meals and doing the dishes,
no stress over being in unfamiliar waters with a large damage
deposit hanging over your head. When the trip is over you pack
your bags and walk away -- no having to clean the boat and again
go through a tedious check-in procedure. When it comes to the
fun of sailing -- you can do as much as you like with more time
to relax and enjoy!
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How
much sailing will we do?
Typically the winds for sailing are best in the spring or fall
(10-20 kts) and lighter in the Summer (5-15 kts). However we
have had great sailing at all times of the year. The San Juans
are also heavily affected by strong tidal currents which help
to make this such a diverse area for marine life. If we are
bucking a current we often have to use our engine to make headway.
A typical week is a combination of sailing when we have wind
and motoring the remaining time--we will always do as much sailing
as possible given the prevailing conditions.
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Can
we fish or crab? What time of year is best for salmon fishing?
Bottom fishing is available in May and early June. The crabbing season typically opens in early July and generally runs through August. Clamming is dependent on low or minus tides during daylight hours in the spring or early summer. Salmon fishing is available in September and October. Proper licenses are required for all fishing.
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Can
we talk with someone who has been on a trip with you?
Yes! Just let us know and we will put you in touch with someone
who preferably lives in your general area. We have had people
come to sail with us from all over the country.
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What
do I need to bring?
We provide bedding and towels so just bring your personal items. If you want alcohol during the week, then you will need to bring your own supply. We will send you packing information and other details about the boat prior to your arrival.
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When
do we need to be there?
All trips begin at 2:00 PM on Sunday of the first day of your
charter. You should eat lunch before boarding as dinner is often
late the first night. There will be a brief orientation to help
familiarize you with the boat and your cabin before departure.
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What
is the best way to get to Bellingham?
Most people fly to Seattle and then rent a car. Bellingham is about 90 minutes north of Seattle. Hertz and Avis do not charge drop fees to leave your rental at the Bellingham airport. Another option is to fly directly into the Bellingham International Airport from Seattle. Horizon Airlines (Alaska) and Allegiant Air are the only major carriers into Bellingham. We are happy to recommend overnight accommodations, area activities, and some of our favorite restaurants. Cab fare from the Bellingham airport to the marina runs between $10-15.00.
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When
is the best time of year to come?
That depends on what kind of trip you're looking for, read on...
Spring & Fall - (Our Favorite): Peace, solitude and nearly empty anchorages are some of the reasons we love sailing in the spring and fall. During spring the islands are fresh and green with renewed growth and wildflowers abound. Due to the rain shadow formed by the Olympic Mountains we are often rewarded with suprisingly good weather. We also have more eagle sightings in the spring then any other time of the year! June offers wonderfully long days with daylight lingering to 10:00 PM. September through early October is another favorite time for us to be in the islands because the weather is usually very nice and the trees are starting to change color. The spring and fall also offer excellent value as we discount our trips at these times of the year.
Summer - (Most Popular): Typically July, August and early September tend to be the warmest and driest months, (which means you need to book these times well in advance). Summer's wonderfully warm days cool off to perfect sleeping temperatures at night. With daylight lingering in the early Summer there is always time for plenty of activities or an afternoon nap. If you join us in August the meteor showers put on a terrific show for stargazers from Northwind's deck.
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How
far in advance should we book a charter?
Call us as soon as possible as we tend to book up early! We
recommend you book a minimum of 3-4 months prior to your planned
departure. Some people book a year in advance. But don't give
up, you never know until you call if the week you want is available.
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How
do we book our charter? What is your cancellation policy?
Call us toll free at 800-729-3207 to see if the week you want is available. Do have a backup time just in case! We will hold your reservation for 7 days awaiting your deposit. To secure your charter we need a $500 deposit per person. We accept personal checks through the mail, or Visa/Mastercard over the phone, whatever works best for you. The balance is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. You may cancel up to 90 days in advance of your charter and still receive a full refund. Cancellation after 90 days but prior to 60 days in advance of departure will result in a forfeit of the deposit. Cancellation after 60 days prior to scheduled departure will result in no refund. Trip cancellation insurance is available at an additional cost.
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Can I smoke on board Northwind?
We have a strict nonsmoking policy during all operations of Northwind including the inflatable shore boat.
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