Sailing Instruction: Large Keelboat Experience

Sample Itinerary for Sailing Instruction: Large Keelboat Experience

Day/Night 1: Board mid-morning to meet the Captain and Crew and become familiar with the vessel for the start of your Sailing Instruction: Large Keelboat Experience. We will have lunch, discuss student goals & skills, conduct a Navigation Rules Review and sail to our first destination during which you will review and practice a series of Skipper Skills including boarding, personal preparation, navigation, systems above and below deck, slip departure, boat handling under power, hoisting/dousing/furling/unfurling sails, winch techniques and anchoring. Each day/night our chef will prepare you breakfast, lunch and dinner and provide beverages and snacks throughout your training day. We will anchor early evening with you participating in a ground tackle clinic and practical exercise and we’ll conduct a Navigation Rules discussion/Q&A. After dinner, you will prepare for the next day’s sailing and have a chance to visit with the Captain and Mate for Q&A before retiring to onboard activities.
Day/Night 2: Review of the Basic Sail Trim Course. Throughout the busy sailing day, you will plan and pilot Take Me There (as her Master) to the next destination. We will review and practice boat handling under sail/points of sail, heading up/bearing away, tacking, gybing, and luffing up/stopping/getting out of irons. Skill application includes Navigation and Sail Planning, Weather Interpretation and below deck systems-check review and setting the vessel for anchoring at night.
Day/Night 3: Skill application includes parallel docking, heave to, crew overboard & recovery, slip return and knots. We will do an anchoring problem exercise and conduct tender operations. We will conduct a table-top exercise to enhance rules of the road training.
Day/Night 4: Skipper Certification testing using NauticEd’s Rubrics based assessment including skills associated with prepare to depart, leave point of departure, maneuver under sail in close quarters & operate in open water.
Limited visibility anchoring and written exam review.
Day/Night 5: Continue Rubric based assessment including skills associated with perform general safety and emergency procedures and maneuvers. Table-top exercise for limited visibility Rules of the road.
Day 6: We will sail to the marina using the student sail plan and continuing Rubric based assessments including skills associated with arrive at destination and secure the boat, performance review and issuance of certification documentation. Disembark at approximately 4 PM.

Expectations

Student Take Aways: At the end of your Take Me There Sailing Instruction – Large Keelboat Experience, you will have significantly improved your personal sailing skill proficiency, confidence and competence. You will have logged 40 hrs. (5 days) as Vessel Master and if you pass all Ruberics based assessments, you may add the NauticEd Skipper Course Certification, Anchoring & Maneuvering Under Power Endorsements to your Sailing Certificate.

***Note: Take Me There Sailing offers beer, wine and select packaged cocktails as part of our All-Inclusive model. Sailing Instruction period is 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily, with one night exercise in the itinerary. No alcoholic beverages will be served to students between 12:00 AM and 6:00 PM daily, or during periods that may impair judgement for designated night exercise periods.

Sailing Instruction: Large Keelboat Experience
$10,125 for 2 guests

Unrivaled large Keelboat sailing instruction and experience!

This Sailing Instruction: Large Keelboat Experience is an immersive opportunity to apply your sailing theory to hands-on scenarios while enjoying your time aboard a beautiful vessel with your Captain and Concierge at your service.

Whether you are just starting out, or you are an experienced sailor wanting a tune-up on sailing skills – our Sailing Proficiency – Large Keelboat Experience is for you! This is an all-inclusive, 5-night (6-Day) itinerary for 1 student (and a guest) or a student-couple who are serious about developing competence in personal sailing skills on a large vessel. As a student, you train each day onboard our 60-foot Gulfstar Motor-Sailer with your personal USCG Captain & NauticEd Instructor. You advance to the NauticEd Skipper Rank while all aboard enjoy the pampering of our all-inclusive experience including lodging and culinary delights!

Includes:

6 online training courses for up to 2 students (with virtual instructor mentoring)
- Navigation Rules Clinic
- Basic Sail Trim Course
- Sail Trim Clinic
- Maneuvering Under Power
- Anchoring a Sailboat
- Skipper Course
Electronic Logbooks
40 hours of logged sailing time as Master of a vessel over 26 ft (8 m) in the Charlotte Harbor area for your sailing resume
Vessel and onboard expenses for up to 2 people including linens, food, fuel, sundry items, and cleaning
Lodging in private, luxury accommodations (private cabin available for each student)
Restaurant quality meals, snacks, beverages
Instructor/USCG Licensed Captain
Concierge/Chef

Excludes: Transportation, Airfare, Off-Boat Excursions

Prequalification Requirements: Some sailing experience

Note: Dates shown in red are currently unavailable/booked.

$10,125.00 for 2 guests

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August 2022

Additional Guests

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Please Pick a Date

Deposit Option $5,062.50 per item

Pay 50% Deposit Full Amount

Ask a Question FAQ

Do you have any questions about this booking?

Our Concierge is standing by, ready to help.

Where are you located?

Take Me There is docked at Burnt Store Marina at 3192 Matecumbe Key Rd Punta Gorda, Florida 33955. The marina is located within a gated community. Just stop at the gate, provide your name and tell the attendant you are booked on a Take Me There Excursion and they will provide you with entry. Please let them know if you are parking your car in the parking lot so they can provide you with a parking pass to keep in your windshield. Parking is free for the duration of your charter.

You say "All-Inclusive" but what does that mean?

We appreciate this question because we think it is one of the greatest benefits to sailing with us. Our all-inclusive pricing includes:

Your lodging aboard
3 meals per day per person
Hors d’oeuvres and small plates
Non-alcoholic drinks as well as beer and wine
Sundry items such as soap, shampoo, lotion
Bedding items such as comfortable pillows and bedding
All personal safety equipment
On-board water sports such as paddle boards, kayaks, snorkel gear, and floating island
On-board entertainment such as televisions, wifi (when available), movies, games, and books
Fuel and standard dockage fees included in your package

The price DOES NOT include any extra land excursions not specifically mentioned in your package, food or drinks provided outside of Take Me There, and gratuity. So come enjoy our all-inclusive sailing charters!

I’m flying into town. What airport do I fly into?

You have three options to choose from when flying into town to enjoy a Take Me There charter. Charlotte County Airport (PGD) is about 5 miles from the marina. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located in Ft. Myers and is about 35 miles from the marina. Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) is about 60 miles from the marina.

I’m flying into town the night before our charter. What are our options for boarding the night before?

Check with us to see if we are available to host you aboard Take Me There the night before your charter. We would love to accommodate your needs. If we are unavailable or you would like to create a land/sea vacation, you have many options in the Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers area for hotels, vacation rentals or airb&b.

hat do we do once we arrive at Burnt Store Marina?

Text Captain Steve at 813-382-5166 that you have arrived at the marina office. We will come to greet you with our dock cart to carry your luggage to the boat and get you settled.

What if we arrive early?

We love early birds. Please text us that you have arrived. If we are available and not finishing up another excursion, we will come meet you with our dock cart and bring you to our slip. If we are unavailable, Cass Cay Bar and Restaurant is open 7 days a week from 11am – 10pm. Stop in for a drink or snack while you wait for your excursion.

What do you provide that we don’t need to pack?

We like to tell people, “Clothes and a toothbrush is all you will need!” and that is close to the truth. Ladies bring your make-up and men bring your shave kit, and certainly bring any medications, but leave the rest to us. Our two bathrooms are stocked with hairdryers, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, and non-aerosol sunscreen. Please bring any skin products that are your favorites but know that we have you covered if you forget something.

Towels, pillows, bed linens and beach towels are a given! And so is snorkel gear, life vests, and other fun water toys.

I have a prescription for medical marijuana. Can I bring it with me?

We realize that medical marijuana is legal in Florida, but as a charter boat, we are licensed by the Coast Guard and are not allowed to carry federally illegal drugs aboard. Please leave your marijuana at home.

What is on the menu?

We want you to tell us what your dietary pleasures are and if you have any dietary restrictions. Kimberly loves to cook and will go out of her way to WOW your taste buds and warm your heart with her creations. Please complete the Pre-Departure Questionnaire (PDQ) so we know your needs. Remember – You Deserve Exceptional!

Can I bring alcohol aboard?

Take Me There holds a consumption on-premise license for any beer and wine that are purchased aboard. Lucky for you all of your beer, wine, and specialty Take Me There drinks are included in your charter price. So please leave your alcohol at home and enjoy ours instead.

What’s on the menu?

I have special dietary needs. Is that going to be a problem?

Your dietary needs are never a problem – it’s what we do best. We cater to those guests who have celiac disease, diabetes or are lactose intolerant. We typically follow a modified Whole30 eating regiment (we love creamer and Truvia in our coffee and enjoy a glass of wine now and then), but we would love to share our gluten-free, meat-free, nut-free, dairy-free creations with you. We want your eating experiences aboard Take Me There to be stress-free. Complete our Pre-Departure Questionnaire (PDQ) to tell us about your wants and needs. You Deserve Exceptional!

Will we be able to fish?

Absolutely! If your cruise includes fishing as an activity, we also carry plenty of tackle and gear. Captain Steve also carries the necessary charter fishing license, so you don’t have to worry about getting a permit to fish in Florida waters. Click here for the seasonal rules about fishing in Florida.

What if I get seasick?

Keep in mind that Take Me There has a wide beam, 16 feet, making it very stable so you won’t have the rock and roll feelings of smaller boats AND we are sailing close to land where the water is calmer than offshore. If you are still concerned, please consider getting the Scopolamine patch from your health care provider or packing some Dramamine. Ginger tea and ginger gum will also help ease any queasiness and we will encourage you to stay on deck and keep your eye on the horizon to help you get your sea legs.

What if we are having such a great time, we want to stay aboard longer?

What a wonderful “problem” to have! We usually build time in between our charters so we can allow for special situations such as these. If we have enough provisions aboard and we do not have other charter commitments, we can certainly accommodate your needs to keep on sailing. Just say, Take Me There! (Extra charges may apply)

I booked a charter and now my plans have changed. What are my options?

We understand that plans can change! If you give us 7 days notice or more, we will apply your deposit to another charter that you can book up to a year from when you booked this one. If you provide us with less than 7 days notice, your deposit is non-refundable because we will already have purchased provisions for your charter. Please call us as soon as you think there may be a change of plans- we want to work with you to meet your needs.

Do you have a frequent buyer program?

We sure do! We love our repeat customers as they become our BSFs – Best Sailing Friends. For every 10 nights that you stay with us, you get 1 night free for 2 people. We’ll provide you with the coupon code to use once you hit your 10th night so you can start saving money on your 11th night with us. Book now to start earning more free nights. Just say “Take Me There”.

I’m saving up for one of your charters, do you have any coupons that would help me?

You bet we do! If you are a veteran or first responder, use code HERO for a 10% discount. If you are a student use code STU for a 10% discount. If you are over 65, use code STILLYOUNG for a 10% discount. We love making your dreams come true. If you don’t see a discount you qualify for, call us and we’ll figure something out!

Can we follow you on social media? Does that count for anything?

It counts a lot! You can even become one of our virtual BSFs (Best Sailing Friends). Sign up today to become one of our BSFs. We even give you coupons just for signing up and following us through social media. Become a FB follower or Instagram Friend or sign up for our newsletter and instantly start earning coupons. We want you to be able to tell us Take Me There at your earliest opportunity. Life is too short to not experience exceptional.

Can we use tobacco or vaping products aboard Take Me There?

We only permit smoking/vaping above deck in designated areas. There is absolutely NO smoking/vaping or other tobacco products to be used below deck.

We live a “clothing optional” lifestyle. What is your policy on clothes?

The crew of Take Me There will always be fully clothed and dressed professionally. What you choose to wear (or not wear) is always your choice. We respect your decision to let it all hang out.

We love posting our adventures on social media. Are you OK with that?

We are more than OK with you choosing to tell the world how much fun you are having. Be sure to tag us and provide us with permission to use your photos. There’s a discount for that!

Speaking of social media, is WiFi available?

Communication is what we do! When signal permits, we have the necessary Wi-Fi extenders onboard that work very well when within range of a signal. Post away – and be sure to tag Take Me There on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

What about my dog/cat/fish- can they come too?

We love dogs and our black labrador Gus would love you and your dogs too. But unfortunately, not everyone is an animal lover and we need to keep the boat sanitized for those with allergies. So we need to leave Gus with our wonderful Rover.com sitter, and we ask that you leave your pets at home too. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate service animals.

What about our children, can they come?

We welcome children aboard and are thrilled that you want to experience an exciting family charter adventure. We love our children, as we know that you do too! Because we love them, our number 1 priority is to keep them safe. We have the necessary safety equipment for children. We ask that you come prepared to entertain and watch your children to ensure that they enjoy a safe and fun vacation. Because of Coast Guard regulations, all travelers, regardless of age, count toward our maximum customer limit of 6 and should be included in your passenger count on your reservation.

We received exceptional service. Can we tip you?

We are glad we met your expectations and we are so grateful that you enjoyed the service you received. Cash tips are welcome and appreciated or you can charge your gratuity to your credit card. THANK YOU!