Mileage and Skill Builder
Choose between seven days or five days.
Sail with a Certified Instructor for the sailing adventure of a lifetime. You will gain valuable cruising experience and sharpen your sailing skills without the fear of a final exam. Relax and enjoy the journey as we explore the Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea.
The adventure departs from Sidney on Vancouver Island with a maximum of four guests. The boat is a Dufour 38 Classic known for beauty, comfort and speed.
Included: Vessel accommodation, Instructor/skipper, meal plans and provisioning, fuel, mooring fees, pillows, etc.
Not included: Your clothing and personal items and whatever you may wish to spend while ashore. Let us know if you require bedding or towels. It would be better to bring your own but we can supply them free of charge if you make a specific request.
The Seven Day Trip:
Trip: August 11 – 17, 2025
Price: $1995.00 ea.
The Five Day Trip:
Trip: August 25 – 29, 2025
Price: $1595.00 ea.
For more information and availability CONTACT US.
Sample Itinerary For Seven Days
A seven day sailing adventure to the Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast
(Just a guideline – some changes might be made due to prevailing conditions)
Day 1: Depart Sidney for the Northern Gulf Islands. After passing Saltspring, Galiano, Wallace Island and others we find Pirates Cove, a perfect hideaway on DeCourcy Island; the legendary haunt of Brother Twelve and Madame Zee.
Day 2: After carefully transiting the treacherous Dodd’s Narrows, we cross the Georgia Strait and pay a visit to scenic Buccaneer Bay before anchoring for the night in Smugglers Cove, an intimate `hole in the rock` providing opportunity to hike a scenic nature trail or watch a spectacular sunset.
Day 3: Progressing north up the Sunshine Coast, we anchor for the night at Harmony Islands Marine Park. This park is located close to 1,400 foot cascading Freil Lakes Waterfall!
Day 4: Cruise the winding length of Jervis Inlet to Pender Harbour. Here we take the time to experience a community described as “The Venice of the North”.
Day 5: After sailing down Malaspina Strait we cross the Georgia Straight once more until we arrive at Silva Bay on Gabriola Island where warm showers and cold beers await!
Day 6: Departing Silva Bay,we make our entrance once again into the protected waters of the Gulf Islands after transiting scenic Gabriola Passage. Our destination is an intimate cove on Wallace Island.
Day 7: And now it is a dash for home as we shoot the gap at Sansum Narrows surrounded by the mountains of Salstspring Island on one side and the cliffs of Mount Tzouhalem on the other. It’s a fitting end to a grand adventure!
Here is a video of a previous trip:
Dufour 38 – Layout
Dufour 38 – Classic
Dufour is a famous name among European cruising sailors and has become a trusted name in North America as well. These sailboats have a reputation for being seagoing passage makers. The “Chinook XV” is a fine example of classic styling and a design philosophy that stresses a combination of performance and comfort under all manner of weather conditions.
The 38’s underbody, with its fin keel and fine entries, combines speed and stability with fingertip control, even when reefed in heavy weather. It is a great looking yacht and features wide and uncluttered side decks that make going forward safe and easy. Lines are led aft to the cockpit for easy handling. The primary winches are a breeze to work and offer automatic push-button control.
The interior is spacious and luxurious and the woodwork is an exceptional example of fine, European craftsmanship.
A rigid inflatable dinghy with an outboard motor accompanies this vessel on overnight trips.
