Go Sailing with Bear & Kit

Have you ever wondered what cruising is really like? Do you want to go cruising and are unsure of the next steps for you to take? Have you wanted to learn how to sail but didn't know how to start? Have you dreamed of a yachting vacation in an exotic locale but don't know how to skipper a boat large enough for your group? Are you ready to start your cruise and are worried about that first passage? Does your soul mate want to go cruising, but you're holding back because you don't really know if you're up to it? Or, would you just like to go sailing for a day or two to see if it's something you might like to do?

Bear and Kit, experienced professional USCG licensed captains, can be your answer. They can go with you on your boat or on another boat that you have chartered or that they can charter for you. If you don't have a boat, they can help you select the right boat for you. They can take you out for a fun day of sailing, or for that dream-of-a-lifetime custom-tailored cruise of a week or two. They can go over your boat and boat systems, making recommendations for improvements that would suit your own cruising plans and budget. And they can go with you on that first leg to provide that extra measure of experience to insure your successful passage.

If a fun day of sailing is what you want, their Captained Charter takes you and your guests (sorry but no more than 6 total) out for either the day, or to enjoy the sunset.

If a formal class is appropriate you can take their Learn to Cruise program, a week-long liveaboard hands-on adventure in cruising. You do the provisioning, plan the route and daily activities, weigh anchor, set and trim sails, steer, plot the course,and anchor each night in a new spot, all under the excellent tutilage of Bear and Kit aboard Volant. In this course the usual class activities of sailing, anchoring and piloting are balanced with other critical but overlooked activities such as provisioning, weather fax interpretation, and using a pressure cooker.

And then there's their Passagemaking program, a two-week liveaboard hands-on experience in making a passage aboard Volant. In this adventure you take part in all passagemaking activities, such as planning the passage, checking equipment and weather sources, selecting the departure date, provisioning, organizing and standing watches, adjusting the route to accomodate changing conditions, keeping the log, preparing food while underway, and making landfall. And, time and weather permitting, you continue to cruise aboard Volant with Bear and Kit as you explore your destination.

Or, you can experience the cruising lifestyle in a less formal atmosphere. Join Bear and Kit on Volant as Cruising Guests for any segment of their travels. Share in their adventures as you participate in all cruising activities, such as choosing the next anchorage, provisioning, weighing anchor, doing routine maintenance, setting and trimming the sails, taking your turn in the galley, standing watch, and exploring new places. [Please note that crew on significant offshore segments is by invitation only. You don't have to be an experienced sailor to be considered for those segments. You only need to have been a Cruising Guest for at least one week while coastal cruising, or have been a participant in either their Learn to Cruiseor Passagemaking program.]

To find out about their booking availability for their Learn to Cruise program or their Passagemaking program, click here. To find out more about where they are now and their current cruising plans for joining Kit and Bear as a Cruising Guest or for a Captained Charter, click here. To find out about fees and policies for these programs, click here.

Send your inquiries to: bear@yacht-volant.org