Official NauticEd Affiliate School
A Clear Path.
Real Confidence.
You don’t need experience. You don’t need to know the terminology. You don’t need to have figured out if sailing is for you. You just need one week and the willingness to pay attention.
Captain Mike takes one group a month in Beautiful BC and the Sea of Cortez. Seven days liveaboard. Real conditions, real decisions, real water. You leave with an internationally recognised sailing certification — and the confidence to actually use it.
Book a CallTwo Free Courses. No Excuses.
Before you spend a dollar or book a single day, try NauticEd for free. Basic Sail Trim and Navigation Rules — yours the moment you sign up. No credit card. No commitment. Just a reason to start today instead of next month.
Three Steps. One Clear Path.
Learn Online. Free to Start.
Two free NauticEd courses are waiting — Basic Sail Trim and Navigation Rules. Then complete the Bareboat Master and Catamaran Endorsement at your own pace, from any device, before you ever set foot on a boat.
One Week With Mike.
Seven days liveaboard in Beautiful BC or the Sea of Cortez. Navigating, anchoring, reefing in real wind, handling dock approaches under pressure. Your NauticEd SLC licence and bareboat certification built in. Internationally recognised across 42+ destinations worldwide.
Your Captain. For Life.
Greece, Croatia, BVI, Thailand, the Bahamas, the Seychelles — Mike helps you plan and book the right charter for where you are in skill and confidence. The instruction doesn't leave the dock. Neither does the relationship.
I Don’t Teach You to Sail. I Help You Start Paying Attention.
Nature gives us clues. The boat gives us clues. Most people are just too busy to notice.
I don’t start with terminology. I start with what you can already see, feel, and observe.
There are thousands of languages on this planet. Every one has a different word for the same thing. Know what it does. Know how to use it. That’s all sailing asks.
Knots? You learned to tie your shoelaces as a kid. Don’t complicate it as an adult.
Once you’ve felt it on the water the terminology arrives naturally — and trust me, you’ll want to know it. Especially if you want to be the coolest kid at the cocktail party dropping Venturi effect.
Get out of your own way. Nature does the rest.
Where Real Sailors Are Made
Beautiful BC
Home waters. Tidal currents, changing conditions, and some of the most spectacular cruising grounds in the world. The Pacific Northwest doesn’t forgive inattention — which means it builds the kind of seamanship that carries you anywhere.
- Currents, tides, and how to work with them
- Coastal route planning and passage-making
- Anchoring in varied locations and conditions
- Wildlife, environment, and seamanship philosophy
Cruise-and-Learn from $2,500 USD per person — includes all provisions, instruction, and NauticEd certification fees
Sea of Cortez
Wide open. Clear water. Thermal winds that teach you how the ocean breathes. The Cortez gives you space — and the calm decision-making that only comes from time offshore.
- Open-water anchoring and overnight passages
- Reading thermal wind patterns
- Maneuvering in clear, open conditions
- Building confidence for tropical charter destinations
Individual day sessions from $450 USD per day
Exact pricing varies by season and group size. Contact Mike for a personalised quote.
This Is What a Week Looks Like
The Sea of Cortez Crossing
La Paz → Old Town Mazatlán
This is offshore sailing. Open water, overnight passages, no land in sight — and every decision matters. The crossing from La Paz to Old Town Mazatlán takes you across the Sea of Cortez, one of the world’s most biologically rich and dramatically beautiful bodies of water.
You’ll navigate real conditions — thermal winds, shipping lanes, changing sea states, and the discipline of standing watch through the night. This isn’t a day sail. It’s the kind of experience that permanently expands what you believe you’re capable of on the water.
Captain Mike runs this crossing with small groups. You’re crew, not passengers. The navigation, the watch schedule, the sail changes — you’re doing the work, with a seasoned captain alongside you the whole way.
- Offshore watch-keeping and night sailing
- Passage planning across open water
- Reading weather patterns in the Sea of Cortez
- Navigation in shipping lane environments
- Managing fatigue and maintaining judgment offshore
- The confidence that comes from arriving somewhere by sea
One Week. Your Licence. Everything Changes.
The 7-day Cruise-and-Learn is fully all-inclusive. You show up. Everything else is sorted — boat, meals, fuel, course materials, licensing exam, and practical assessment. You leave with an internationally recognised sailing licence and the confidence to use it.
Monohull
Catamaran Sailing Certification
Bring five or more friends. We’ll bring the chef.
What’s Included
- 7 days of live-aboard instruction with Captain Mike
- All meals and provisions on the water
- Private chef for groups of 5 or more
- Fuel and marina fees
- NauticEd Bareboat Master course materials
- SLC theory module, written exam, and practical assessment
- Post-training support and charter planning access
Not Included
- Flights and travel to departure point
- Plotting tools (parallel rulers, dividers, pencils)
- Alcohol
Their Words, Not Mine
“I was a land-loving newbie with no exposure to sailing — and admittedly afraid of deep waters. I actually left confident that I can start bareboat chartering my own adventures and vacations. I can always reach out to Mike with any questions or ambitious sailing ventures moving forward.”
— Amanda Schubert“Mike's program removes any self-doubt and instills confidence throughout the entire journey. I left with the confidence to charter my own sailboat anywhere in the world. I will undoubtedly be working with Mike again to earn my next certification.”
— Conaf Flair“Mike is a lasting resource to help plan trips in the future — a huge confidence booster. First-hand advice from someone who has sailed in dozens of countries around the world. I feel so much more confident in sailing after a week with him as our teacher.”
— Jaymie FriesenQuestions People Ask Before They Book
Do I need any sailing experience?
None. The Cruise-and-Learn is designed for people who have never set foot on a sailing boat. Two free online courses get you oriented before you arrive — the week itself does the rest.
How long does it take to go from zero to certified?
Most people complete the online portion in 2–4 weeks at their own pace. The 7-day live-aboard trip follows. You leave that week with your internationally-recognised SLC sailing licence in hand.
What's included in the price?
Everything on the water: the boat, your bunk, all meals and provisions, fuel, marina fees, NauticEd Bareboat Master course materials, the SLC written exam, and the practical assessment. You fly in; Mike handles the rest.
Will my licence be accepted when I charter in Greece, BVI, or Croatia?
Yes. The SLC International Sailing Licence is recognised by charter companies across 42+ destinations worldwide — the same destinations Captain Mike brokers charters for.
Free Guide
The Sea of Cortez Sailing Guide
Where to anchor, when to go, and what no charter company will tell you. Captain Mike’s personal guide to sailing Mexico’s most spectacular waters.
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Ready to Stop Watching and Start Sailing?
One group. One month. One captain. If this feels like the right fit, reach out. Mike will tell you honestly whether the timing works.
Prefer WhatsApp? Message us at +1 604 600 4799