Sail Northwest Charters

"Four star service on the water"

Welcome aboard!

Sailnorthwest is a sailing charter company with an emphasis on adventure, luxury and relaxation at affordable prices. We'll take care of the provisions, ice the icebox, provide the linens and towels, and put a vacation of a lifetime together that exceeds your expectations. The only thing you have to worry about is how to have fun. We are dedicated to bringing you memories that will last a lifetime.

Crewed Vacation, ASA Sailing Instruction, Bareboat Charters

Whether you would like the experience of bareboat chartering, learning to sail, or letting us pamper you for a week as your captains, we offer it all. Our goal is to give you a memorable time as you learn and explore the beautiful Gulf and San Juan Islands.

Click for More info on a Crewed Vacation

Click for More info on our ASA sailing classes

Click for More info on Chartering

Click for More info on our boats

American Sailing Association Certified Instruction

If getting your sailing certification is your goal our ASA Certified Sailing Instruction is the best. We keep our classes small so that we can give you the extensive hands on learning experience you deserve. Spotlight Gal, our 32' Islander, and Judy or Nate, our ASA instructors, are a perfect match for a weeklong 'Cruise 'N Learn'. Class size is up to three people. Private classes for two are very popular! Our ALL WOMEN'S CLASS for 2010 is June 6th.

Whether you want to learn, relax or just take the wheel for a time, we are dedicated to making your vacation a time of fun and great memories.



Recent Blog Posts

Happy Guests Aboard
We are happy to share what Allison and her group liked about their charter with Sailnorthwest Charters!We had the best time! Our week-long family trip in the San Juan islands was wonderful! Our captains Judy and Griff, their dog Lilly, and our family of six sailed on Hopscotch, a well laid out, clean, and well maintained sail boat. Both Judy and Griff cooked for us, and our meals were
Look What We Learned!
The following was written to us by a couple that took one of our private couples ASA classes this summer. It is always fun to hear sailing adventures from our students. This was written after they saw photos of our class boat's keel damage after a class hit the rocks. "Was so sorry to see the photos of Spotlight Gal, and hear of her mishap.  Will she be okay to sail for next season?  Your

How Do I Choose a Sailing School? Any school can issue a ?course completion certificate? and many will give you a local skipper?s license. If you want a certificate that will be taken seriously you should choose a center that is recognized by one of the leading bodies. The main one that you will come across is ASA (American Sailing
Baby Orcas join our crewed charter!
Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play, or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun co-captains, Judy and Griff. http://
Join us for a fun filled week aboard Hopscotch!
Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play, or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun co-captains, Judy and Griff. CHEERS from crewed
How Did You Start Sailing?
I am asked this question over and over and it is good one. How many sailors can say that one of their kids got them into it? Usually it is Mom an Dad that get you into sailing lessons and you go from there. Well, my oldest son Bill, took me for a sail from Seattle to Victoria, BC on his new 40' sailboat. He taught me how to read a chart and how to do dead reckoning while we were underway. I
Come and join us for a fun filled crewed charter!
Have you ever wanted to go sailing but don't know how to sail? Come and share in the fun aboard Hopscotch, our 50' Beneteau as we sail through the beautiful San Juan Islands. Sea life abounds, you may catch a glimpse of the majestic eagles, share in the romp of the Orcas at play, or watch the curious seals follow us. Enjoy great food and fun co-captains, Judy and Griff. CHEERS from

 
Crabbing is one of our favorite pastimes
Crabbing on one of our favorite pastimes whether we are in a class or a crewed vacation. Everyone enjoys a crab feast and dungeness crab are the best tasting of all. Add a little melted lemon butter, dip, and enjoy!

 
How does one choose a sailing class?
All guys, all gals, a big class, a small class, a man or woman instructor... there are many things to consider when choosing a sailing class. Today let's talk about a woman learning to sail. A gal learns best with a woman instructor and a small class size. If her guy is with her he needs to let the instructor do the instructing. Teaching your wife or girlfriend to sail a boat is like trying to
Charter Cruise the San Juan Islands
A crewed charter around the beautiful San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest has cruisers sailing from one spectacular anchorage to the next. Sailors and cruisers alike enjoy SE winds of 8-20 knots during the summer months. The orca whales, Dahl porpoise and a wide variety of seals can be seen along your passage from island to island. Beautiful anchorages can be found within one to four hours
Sailing Skills for women
I have learned over the last 12 years of teaching men and women to sail that women prefer a female instructor and their spouses highly encourage them. Women are mostly visual and hands on learners. Small classes with up to three students meet this need. This gives them the time they need to feel where the wind is coming from and how the boat responds in relationship to the wind. It is important
Sailing in the Pacific Notrhwest
The San Juan Islands offer a great place to sail. Southeast winds prevail with Bellingham Bay offering the most and constant winds of the entire area. We had an afternoon sail on Tuesday with 8 knots of wind on the 38' Ericson. The sun was out and we had a lovely sail at four knots. Several weeks ago I went out with a class of first time students on our 32' Islander. It was the first dayof class