15 Day VANCOUVER ISLAND ADVENTURE -- 2 dates & 2 venues for 2007!

OFFSHORE/ADVANCED PASSAGEMAKER COURSE & ADVENTURE
15-day/800+nm Circumnavigation of Vancouver Island

This is THE must do course for every serious sailor -- You should reserve your berth as soon as possible to avoid disappointment - this is a very popular CYA / ISPA course -- last year we did a 2 boat flotilla and had a blast with communal meals and the opportunity of sailing on 2 different boats

Cruise Format: -- For 2007 we are offering 2 formats.

1.  Our "traditional" format that features 4 days Offshore approximately 250nm off the West Coast.  This trip is very similar to the voyage from Victoria to San Francisco.  Most other schools are only offshore for a day or 2.  Students are unable to get the true offshore experience in that short time.  The 4 days offshore makes it a "real" trip, not a imitation. 
2.  Our other format is Coastal Hopping -- mostly daysailing from one coastal destination to another down the West Coast.

A fundamental component of both courses is the maintenance of regular watches with a  designated Skipper and Navigator.
Our first leg of this passage starts with an overnight passage to Refuge Cove and then up the East Coast of Vancouver Island, through a maze of islands where our Navigators will have the opportunity to show their skills by planning a course that will take us though the tidal currents that can run up to 12 knots.  
The West Coast of the Island provides an entirely different venue -- Blue Water with thousands of miles of open ocean in front of us -- now is the time for serious sailing. 

Again, with Sailcraft,  you have the choice of coastal hopping or the Blue Water Experience. Either way, the emphasis is on safety and fun as you explore new vistas.  

Knowledge base and skill development will focus on, but not be limited to: Navigation - both manual and electronic (Turicum essentially runs off a laptop computer) and use of sextant.   Sail selection, sail changes, handling -- including asymmetric and symmetric spinnakers and dip pole gybing, and trimming.  Engine and vessel maintenance.  Provisions -- selection, storage, and preparation.     

Accommodation aboard is setup for both Coastal Cruising with individual/ double bunks or Offshore with lee cloth equipped berths centrally located in the vessel.  
Galleys are designed and equipped for Offshore with a gimballed stove, a huge refrigerator/deepfreeze unit, hot and cold pressure water as well as Salt water taps.
Turicum is also equipped with a forward and aft head -- both with showers -- as well as an inflatable dinghy.
Our safety gear is very extensive with inflatable PFD and safety harness for all crew, 2 EPIRBs - one registered to the vessel, and an 8 person liferaft with stored water and provisions.
 

Study Materials:
Sailcraft provides both CYA and ISPA course materials -- ISPA course materials are available to the Yachtmaster Ocean level and CYA programmes go up to the Advanced level.  For your safety and enjoyment, all theory work and course modules must be completed prior to departure. 

Equipment:
Advanced students are expected to have their own foul weather gear, knife and small flashlight with a red lens --- a harness and PFD with strobe and whistle will be provided.

Prerequisites:
For certification courses ALL of the specified prerequisites must be completed (or special arrangement made).  For non-certification courses, several years of sailing experience is a must.
This adventure can be very physically and mentally challenging ---- particularly the 4 days Offshore.  

Costs: $3498.00  + 7% GST  pp

Dates: July 7 -- 21, Aug 11 -- 25

Photos of this cruise