Liveabord 'Holiday' - Certification or Not?

[Yodalino]

Hi Everyone, I
'm not totally sure of what I'm looking for, and I'm not sure if this is the best forum for my questions. My Husband has always wanted to spend a week or two on board a boat (sail boat, any type?) and learn to sail during that time. I don't think he's actually interested in any specific certification, more like being one of the crew and learning about what it would take/be like.
I've tried some google searches, and everything I can find so far comes up with certifications. Is that the only way to do this type of vacation, through actual certification, or are there companies that offer a non-certification 'fun' route that would match this? Are there any suggestions on what I should be searching for on the interwebs?
And are there any suggestions for locations that would be a great place to learn? We're in Canada, and I'd like to try somewhere we haven't been before, but also want to ensure that proper safety standards are properly in place. I assume the Caribbean and Mexico would be easy and close, but we've been there numerous time for other vacations and would like to explore a bot more. Thanks

Yodalino

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Yodalino

Hi Everyone, I
'm not totally sure of what I'm looking for, and I'm not sure if this is the best forum for my questions. My Husband has always wanted to spend a week or two on board a boat (sail boat, any type?) and learn to sail during that time. I don't think he's actually interested in any specific certification, more like being one of the crew and learning about what it would take/be like.
I've tried some google searches, and everything I can find so far comes up with certifications. Is that the only way to do this type of vacation, through actual certification, or are there companies that offer a non-certification 'fun' route that would match this? Are there any suggestions on what I should be searching for on the interwebs?
And are there any suggestions for locations that would be a great place to learn? We're in Canada, and I'd like to try somewhere we haven't been before, but also want to ensure that proper safety standards are properly in place. I assume the Caribbean and Mexico would be easy and close, but we've been there numerous time for other vacations and would like to explore a bot more. Thanks

Yodalino

I don't know about other places, but in the PNW, you should just talk to the charter company, tell them what you want and they will customize your experience. Our first charter was with a Captain with an eye to certification but we ended up just working on skills that we wanted to have (docking, sailing etc.) and ignoring a lot of the other curriculum. Of course we were chartering the whole boat so it was cost of the boat + $250/day for captain + workbooks, so it can add up.

[LTDsailing]

Yodalino,

We mostly do ASA certification courses but we also do skippered charters and what we call "Cruise, Crew and Review" trips which allow you to participate and learn along the way with no certifications or tests required.

We are based out of Grenada and sail through the islands of the Grenadines.

Let me know if you would like more information on what we can offer.

Beam winds!

[Rick south]

Originally Posted by LTDsailing

Yodalino,

We mostly do ASA certification courses but we also do skippered charters and what we call "Cruise, Crew and Review" trips which allow you to participate and learn along the way with no certifications or tests required.

We are based out of Grenada and sail through the islands of the Grenadines.

Let me know if you would like more information on what we can offer.

Beam winds!

Hi! I'm interested! Can you pls. send info? Thank you!

[SV Siren]

I would suggest Andrew and Nikki aboard S/V Skipping Stone. They cruise the Windward and Leeward Islands. St Vincent, Grenadines, and Bequia for example. They are a professional crewed charter, that would fit your bill.

Sailing Charter on Skipping Stone|Private Charters|Caribbean Sea

[psk125]

Chartering a boat with a captain (and possibly an additional crew) might be what you need to do. Most charter companies would be happy to provide whatever you felt comfortable with. New destinations could include the Mediterranean or South Pacific.

[benjiwoodboat]

Morse Alpha Expeditions offer 4&6 day trips, that are liveaboard with a focus on learning to sail and cruise. They don’t do certifications, that way they can tailor the course to the students and not be bound to a set curriculum. This year they’re sailing in the Chesapeake.

[Suijin]

Give Mark Thompson at Sailing Education a call, in Florida. Mark is one of a small handful of Royal Yachting Association (RYA) certified instructors in our hemisphere. He’s smart, funny, and he captains charters all over the world in addition to providing structured RYA instruction.

Mark can steer you to a charter that fits your needs and come along as captain, either as a formal instructor or informal teacher.

I raced and socialized with Mark, an Aussie, for a few years in Annapolis and always enjoyed his company as well as learning a thing or two along the way.

https://www.yachtingeducation.com/meet-your-skipper

[Svanen]

Originally Posted by Yodalino

I've tried some google searches, and everything I can find so far comes up with certifications. Is that the only way to do this type of vacation, through actual certification, or are there companies that offer a non-certification 'fun' route that would match this?

And are there any suggestions for locations that would be a great place to learn? We're in Canada, and I'd like to try somewhere we haven't been before, but also want to ensure that proper safety standards are properly in place. I assume the Caribbean and Mexico would be easy and close, but we've been there numerous time for other vacations and would like to explore a bit more.

Yes, this is absolutely possible. Pretty much any charter operation can arrange a relaxed, skippered vacation for you.

You don't say where in Canada you live. If in Ontario, I highly recommend Canadian Yacht Charters, which operates in the fabulous North Channel. Their skippers are all Sail Canada registered instructors, who will be happy to provide as much or as little teaching as you and your husband require. I know several couples and families who went that route, and all have raved about the experience.

[Crown Royal]

I have some great contacts if you’re still looking