Bespoke Travel Services - Personal Experiences: we create sailing vacations worldwide with personal chefs and professional captains for the ambitious travelers.
WHAT WE ARE
We are sailing vacation specialists. Organizing one-week private and group book-by-the-cabin sailing journeys in locations worldwide on sailboats up to 60’ with private cabins. Each journey is captained and crewed by a group of professional sailors and explorers who guide your adventure while we sail in exotic locations around the world. Open to solo travelers or groups, a Sailing Collective journey offers a week of excitement as we sail to amazing islands along captivating coastlines and experience the world’s most beautiful landscapes and cultures.
HOW WE DO IT
Journeys can range up to 8 boats per trip with each journey carefully curated to show you hidden swimming coves, local restaurants and unique towns. Our method of sailing vacations does not require any sailing background; our captains are qualified sailing instructors ready to guide any collective journeyer interested in participating in the sailing.
WHO WE ARE
The Sailing Collective is staffed by an energetic group of explorers and sailors coming from an interdisciplinary background with a shared enthusiasm for adventure with the collective journeyers. Captains are trained professionals with unique experiences and sailing backgrounds offering a variety of information and life experiences to each journey. The Sailing Collective prides itself on the passion our captains have towards curating global adventure for the enjoyment of everyone involved! Outside the Sailing Collective, our captains are accomplished in their own professional fields from artists to astrophysicist, giving an added value to each adventure.
Joining us is easy. Browse the Sailing Collective journeys and decide if a group-based journey or a private charter best fits you. Anyone can sign up, we welcome solo passengers, couples, friends, and small to large groups on both collective journeys and private charters.
A collective journey is a group-based flotilla sailing vacation, each one-week journey is accompanied by a small flotilla of Sailing Collective boats traveling together with up to 8 passengers on each boat skippered and crewed by the Sailing Collective professional team.
Never been sailing before? A Sailing Collective journey can be as interactive or relaxing as you want. As an interactive experience, our team of captains are eager to show you the ropes and guide you with all the knowledge needed to sail. As a relaxing vacation, you can always sit back and let the Sailing Collective carry you as you lounge in paradise. We invite you to view the Sailing Collective galleries and check out past adventures in the locations that interest you. Reading about previous adventures and viewing photos is a great way to get a feel for the locations and get excited for your upcoming adventure.
Three easy steps to book your vacation!
1) Get excited about a location!
2) Find dates that work for you.
3) Click the reservations tab to book & instructions for confirmation and payment.
Contact us directly and we will build you a trip to sail when and where you want.
Here at the Sailing Collective we closely monitor travel advisories in the locations that we sail. Our commitment to safety starts well before we ever set foot on a sailing vessel, it is the first thing we think about when planning a voyage. As you can imagine, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a factor that we are all paying close attention to.
For the most up to date policy Click Here to be taken to http://sailingcollective.com/covid-19
Resources to check are:
Covid-19 Information for Travel
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) travel advice
For travel medical insurance Global Rescue is the best in the industry and if you sign up for their Global Rescue Membership it comes with personalized medical consultation services 24/7/365. We highly recommend this for all of our travelers.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all as you travel.
A: Read all about it here: https://sailingcollective.com/covid-19
A: A Collective group-journey is typically a mix comprised of solo passengers, couples, and friends. There are a limited number of single cabins per boat and passengers booking as a pair will share a cabin with a double-occupancy bed. Passengers fill out a detailed guest-form prior to departure and we best match passengers on collective boats with people of similar interest and vacation preferences. Sailing Collective guests tend to value rich travel experiences filled with exploration and adventure. A Collective group-journey is a fantastic way to meet new friends and experience this fine world with like minded travelers. Booking a private boat can be ideal for larger groups traveling together. Contact info@thesailingcollective.com for a custom quote.
A: We can accommodate any private charter with as few as 2 up to 10 passengers per boat crewed by the Sailing Collective team. A typical private trip ranges from 4 to 8 people. Details, itineraries, and activities will be customized to meet the exact needs and vibe of your group.
Have more than 10 people? We will arrange a multi-boat flotilla with up to 10 boats with private crews aboard each boat. You’ll sail just a stone’s throw away, coordinate daily activities, and rope up at night for dinner parties.
A: Every boat has a Sailing Collective skipper who is a highly trained, certified captain and sailing instructor. Each captain is trained in navigation and first aid medical response to keep you safe and on course throughout the week. This is your vacation and relaxing is high priority, however, we encourage everyone interested in an interactive experience to assist with the sailing of the boat. Formal sailing lessons can be arranged at additional cost.
A: No, each boat is skippered by a certified Sailing Collective captain who will sail the boat and give basic sailing tutorials to interested sailors. Formal sailing lessons available at additional cost.
A: We can only process 1 credit card at a time and recommend using a payment share app such as Venmo for reimbursement. Private invoices can be emailed upon request.
A: No problem. Just let us know who are traveling with by contacting info@thesailingcollective.com.
A: Reach out to us via the Contact Us page or emailing directly to info@thesailingcollective.com and we’ll get you set up! You’ll need to include a location(s) of interest, dates (most journeys run from Saturday to Saturday with some flexibility in the Caribbean only), along with the number of guests in your party. A customized quote and Journey Page will be built for you to peruse options and details.
A: Absolutely. We can organize private luxury charters on up to 100’ classic sailing yachts in locations around the world. Inquire at info@thesailingcollective.com for more details.
A: We require a 50% deposit to reserve your cabin with your final balance due 90 days prior to departure. We can break up your payment into thirds under special circumstances and by special request. Please inquire privately for more details. Please review the “CANCELLATIONS, INSURANCE, AND CONDUCT” tab before booking.
A: Although the accommodations differ from a hotel or a cruise ship you will quickly see the advantages of traveling on a sailing vessel as we visit hard to reach port towns and row ashore on abandoned beaches. Living space inside a sailboat is compact but comfortable. Cabins have small closets and cubbies for your belongings. Each boat has multiple heads (bathrooms) and showers. They are small, but you will become accustomed to them in no time. Boats have a full galley (kitchen) and dining table below, but most meals will be set on a table in the cockpit on deck. All boats have refrigeration, 12 volt DC electricity (like in a car), stereos, and other amenities all fit together efficiently in the space available. Inquire directly about additional amenities for specific boats.
A: Your crew will provision your boat for 7 days. For group journeys, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 2-3 dinners will be cooked on board depending on the group’s preference. All food is sourced locally for the freshest and finest foods available to us wherever we journey.
A: Dining aboard is family style and cooking volunteers are always welcome. Many journeys include a chef and every journey includes a culinarily inclined captain - so we’ve got you covered. Private chefs are available for all private journeys.
A: Yes. The boats will have a small (100W 120V AC) inverter for you to plug in and charge battery powered electronics.
A: The average age ranges from mid 20s to mid 50s and the Sailing Collective welcomes travelers of any age seeking adventure and exploration. Sailing Collective passengers range from artists to astrophysicists and tend to be adventurous with an interest in exploration and trying new things.
A: Before traveling, you should always ensure you that you are in good health. Passengers should be physically able to climb ladders and board on and off the boat into a dinghy and on to docks. You are required to inform the Sailing Collective ahead of time of any medical conditions to ensure that a journey at sea is right for you and that your safety and the safety of other passengers. Individuals with disabilities can be accommodated at special request. For updated information about travel and testing requiremnts with regards to COVID-19 please visit our information page here: https://sailingcollective.com/covid-19
A: There are a variety of seasickness and nausea medications available over the counter and by prescription. Please research your options before you travel and if you decide medication is right for you, please bring a supply of the necessary medication. Your captain has many tricks to minimize the likelihood seasickness.
A: We put you in contact with your crew and send a welcome packet with all details in advance of your departure. If you have any questions about your journey, planning travel, etc. please email or call your Sailing Collective contact ahead of time.
A: The Collective Package includes onboard meals (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners unless otherwise noted), cabin for 7 nights, Sailing Collective crew, fuel, basic mooring fees for overnight when applicable dinghy, water, and travel coordination with the Sailing Collective team.
A: Travel to and from the sailing trip is not included, we recommend searching flights before you book your journey so that you are taking into account all transportation costs. While on the trip passengers are responsible for activities and meals ashore. On board you are responsible for purchasing your own alcohol and soft drinks, as well as any specific dietary provisions that were not pre-arranged with the Chef.
A: We recommend bringing between $300 - $600 per person (varies based on location) to cover additional taxi and travel, gifts, and on shore activities such as dining and evening activities.
A: Your crew works hard so you can play even harder - show them some love! It is customary in the industry to tip the crew 10% to 15%. Crew members split the tips evenly.
A: See the “CANCELLATIONS, INSURANCE, AND CONDUCT” tab below on this page.
A: We recommend travel insurance through Global Rescue. In the unlikely event that you must use your travel insurance, we will comply with your request for any documentation or information the insurance company needs.
Cancellation Policy
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a deposit refund in the event you have to cancel your trip with Sailing Collective. The cabin or boat must be paid in full regardless of the final number of travelers in your group are unable to join.
Group charters: if you cannot make your trip during a Sailing Collective group charter, you can try to fill your cabin using your personal network and Sailing Collective will advertise on your behalf but we cannot guarantee Sailing Collective will be able to fill your cabin and issue your payment back. Please consult a Sailing Collective coordinator to discuss in detail.
We recommend taking out a travelers insurance program if you might have to cancel and Sailing Collective will comply with any travelers insurance cases.
Travel Insurance
We recommend taking out additional travel insurance through Global Rescue as additional protection for changes and cancellations. In the unlikely event that you must use your travel insurance, we are fully willing to comply with your request for any documentation or information the insurance company needs.
Disclaimer & Liability
All customer participants must agree to indemnify and hold the Sailing Collective, its insurers, affiliates and captains harmless for any injury or death arising from uncontrollable circumstances of travel and the nature of the Journey. The Sailing Collective LLC and its member captains and crew are not held accountable for any injury caused by malfunction of a vessel that is not owned and maintained by the Sailing Collective. In the case of an injury, the passenger remains responsible for the negligent acts that may result in harming the passenger and fellow crew.
Behavior & Conduct
The Sailing Collective member captain has the right to suspend the activity and participation of a client on any Sailing Collective trip if behavior is erratic, unsafe, belligerent, or defiant of captains’ commands and orders. Client will not be refunded and will be responsible for any and all extra financial costs if they are required to disembark before the end of the trip. Erratic and unsafe behaviors includes but is not limited to excessive drinking of alcohol, unsafe practices aboard, damaging the boat, willful defiance of the captain and their commands (in regards to safety), sexual harassment, physical and verbal violence, and so on. It is the right of the captain to judge erratic behavior as they deem fit for the situation.
Miscellaneous
Passengers who wish to not be photographed must inform the Sailing Collective in advance. Photographs may be used for Sailing Collective purposes for website and other marketing operations. The Sailing Collective is not responsible for internet circulation of images via social media or other outlets outside the photo content on the website.
By booking with the Sailing Collective you are agreeing to the following:
This event is a Sailing Collective Journey that will allow me to choose to participate in
various recreational activities.
Assumption of Inherent Risk: I understand that it may be impossible to list all of the
inherent risks of participation in this event, but some are listed below to give the
participant a better idea of the risks involved. Minor injuries such as; muscle soreness,
cramps, bruises, strains and sprains may occur more frequently while more serious
injuries or conditions such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, difficulty
breathing, broken bones, drowning, torn ligaments or tendons, sudden illness, stroke,
heart attack and even death may occur. Environmental risks and hazards may include;
deep and cold water, insects, snakes, animals, unpredictable forces of nature including
weather. This list is not inclusive and extends to damage and/or loss of personal property
as well.
I also understand that any participation in this event may require me to be transported in
vehicles and vessels operated by Sailing Collective professional staff or personnel, or
contracted by the Sailing Collective. I understand the risks associated with transportation
in vehicles and vessels of all types.
I understand that the inherent risks associated with this event may occur despite the
care taken by The Sailing Collective and its employees. I have read the previous
paragraphs and I understand the nature of this journey. I hereby assert that my
participation in this event is voluntary and that I knowingly assume all of the
inherent risks of the activities. I also understand that I am welcome to omit an
activity or may stop at any time and that my questions regarding this program have
been answered to my satisfaction.
Waiver of Liability: In consideration of permission to participate in this activity,
today and on all future dates, I, on behalf of myself, my spouse, my heirs, personal
representatives, or assigns, do hereby release, waive and discharge The Sailing
Collective, (including its officers, employees, and agencies) from liability from any
and all claims resulting from the inherent risks, associated with this event or from
negligence, strict liability, breach of contract, or any act or omission, but not gross
negligence. I also expressly agree to release The Sailing Collective, its officers,
agents, employees, and students from any act of omission of negligence in rendering
or failing to render any type of emergency or medical services.
This agreement applies to (1) personal injury, illness including death from incidents
arising from participation in this event while on any Sailing Collective journey. I
understand that some activities may occur in remote places, open to the public, where
communication and transportation may be difficult and medical care may be delayed.
The Sailing Collective may also utilize the services of private contractors for certain tasks
including, for example, transportation, and food service. The Sailing Collective is not
responsible for the acts or omissions of such contractors.
Indemnification: I also agree to hold harmless, defend and indemnify The Sailing
Collective, its officers, employees, and agencies (that is, defend and pay any judgment
and costs, including investigation costs and attorney fees) from any and all claims of
mine, my spouse, family members, or others arising from my injury or loss due to my
participation in this event (including those arising from in the inherent risks or
negligence, strict liability, breach of contract, or any act or omission, but not gross
negligence). I further agree to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify The Sailing
Collective, its officers, employees and agencies (that is, defend and pay any judgment
and costs, including investigation costs and attorney fees) against any and all claims of
co-participants, rescuers, and others arising from my conduct in the course of my
participation in this event.
Covenant not to Sue, Venue and Severability Clauses: I covenant not to sue The
Sailing Collective, its officers, employees, and agencies for any present or future claims
arising directly or indirectly from my participation in this event.
Likewise, I understand that if, in spite of this contract, legal action is brought, it must be
adjudicated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, and must be brought in the
appropriate court housed in Rockingham County in the State of New Hampshire.
I also expressly agree that this Agreement (including Assumption of Risk, Waiver of
Liability, Indemnification, and Covenant not to Sue) is intended to be as broad and
inclusive as is permitted by the laws of the State of New Hampshire and that if any
portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding,
continue in full legal force and effect.
Acknowledgements, Assertions, and Agreements; Regarding My Health Status – I
assert that I:
• Do not have any medical problems that would contraindicate participation in this event.
Emergency Care – I Authorize or Agree to Allow The Sailing Collective, its Officers,
Employees, and Agencies to:
• Administer emergency first aid, CPR, and use an AED when deemed necessary.
• Secure emergency medical care or transportation (i.e., EMS) when deemed necessary.
• Share my medical history with emergency medical personnel when deemed necessary.
• Assume all costs of emergency medical care and transportation.
Code of Conduct, Rules and Safety Equipment – I Agree to:
• Abide by the rules established by The Sailing Collective, the The Sailing Collective
Code of Conduct, and its contracted vendors.
• Abide by the instructions of the The Sailing Collective, its Officers, Employees, and
Agencies and abide by any action they deem necessary in the event of misbehavior on my
part.
• Inform The Sailing Collective or its representatives immediately if I become aware of
participant conduct or equipment condition that presents a danger to others or me.
• Wear any required equipment at all times while participating in this journey.
• Terminate my participation if The Sailing Collective representative judges that I am
incapable of safely meeting the rigors of the activity. I accept The Sailing Collective’s
right to take such actions for the safely of myself and/or other participants.
If under 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide their name and check the box below
on your behalf.
I acknowledge that: I have read this Participant Agreement -
Assumption of Risk, Waiver of Liability, Indemnification Agreement, and Covenant not
to Sue and fully understand its terms. I understand that I am giving up substantial rights,
including my right to sue The Sailing Collective, its Officers, Employees, and Agencies
for injuries, illness, loss or even death resulting from the inherent risks, negligence, strict
liability, breach of contract, or any act or omission, but not gross negligence, from my
participation in this event. I further acknowledge that I am signing this agreement freely
and voluntarily, and intend my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all
liability to the greatest extent allowed by the laws of the State of New Hampshire.
I certify the information submitted on this Registration Form is true and complete to the
best of my knowledge, and I understand that any wrong or incomplete information could
result in an injury or illness.
I grant permission to The Sailing Collective and agents of the institution, to authorize and
administer emergency medical treatment that is deemed necessary.
Dayyan Armstrong founded the Sailing Collective out of a passion for connecting people with the world through adventure and sailing. Having been raised with values based on multi-cultural awareness and the importance of global culture, Dayyan combined his enthusiasm for sailing and exploration to create an integrated sailing vacation organization open to adventures, explorers, and sailors alike. With a background in music performance, social theory, and a graduate degree in economics from the New School for Social Research, Dayyan is always excited to participate in discourse in topics of theory, art, adventure, and exploration. Outside sailing and exploration, Dayyan is passionate about cured meats, design, Maine, social theory, Cook’s Illustrated, a good museum, photography, Harper’s Magazine, and various types of cooking over fire or coals.
After graduating with a degree in Outdoor Education, Ross Beane has been relentless about sharing his love of wilderness travel with people wherever he goes. Having worked with programs from Alaska to Maine, he enjoys guiding students of all ages and abilities into beautiful and remote locations to foster technical know-how and an appreciation of the natural world. With multiple certifications in wilderness emergency medicine, he brings with him an understanding of risk management that keeps it safe without compromising fun. An avid sailor since youth, Ross has made many safe crossings and has taught sailing for The Wooden Boat School, New York Harbor Sailing Foundation, and the Manhattan Sailing School before joining Dayyan to help start the Sailing Collective.
Taylor Collins grew up sailing the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. He spent his childhood racing Lasers and crewing on Defiance, a C&C 35, and Scorpio, A Creekmore 36. After earning a Masters in City Planning from the University of Arizona, Taylor relocated to New York City and quickly immersed himself in the sailing scene. As as sailing instructor, Taylor has introduced many New Yorkers to the sport of sailing and regularly leads charters in the Caribbean. Taylor is one of the original Sailing Collective captains and has sailed with The Sailing Collective in many locations worldwide. He is a certified diver and a fantastic vacationer. When not sailing, Taylor tends bar at Williamsburg, Brooklyn’s Walter Foods and works on his trucks and motorcycles.
Marshall is a sailor and a professional marine engineer based in York, Maine and captains throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and his home waters of New England. His lust for the seas keeps him on the water in the warm Tropics, the Mediterranean, as well as in the New England winter for marine construction and tugboat operations. He has swam in the Arctic and Antarctic ocean, but the New Hampshire and Maine coasts are his home. Always excited to travel to new places and to meet new people.
Despite my tiny frame, I am an eater and food is always on my mind! I love every element of the food experience, from shopping the finest the farmers market has to provide to the preparation of an exquisite meal. A hostess at heart, it is the sensual and intimate aspect of dining that remains most important to me. I always keep in mind that overall indulgence is exemplified through flawless service and genuine hospitality. I believe that food has the capacity to fascinate and surprise, and I am not one to resist sharing my discoveries with any innocent bystander who has a set of ears, an open mind, and an empty stomach.
Paul Porter has had a love for life on the water since a very young age- sailing, surfing and competitive kite boarding. Being near or on the water has always been of great importance to him. Paul’s father has been his role model and teacher as a captain on boats up to 65 feet, during countless family boat trips to the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Sailing, crewing, anchoring, docking and hosting guests aboard is second nature to him. In 2010, Paul acquired the S/V Seaker, an Islander 30 moored in Seattle, Washington. Paul rebuilt and improved over 75 percent of the systems on board and restored her from the keel up into a fine sailing vessel, learning many helpful skills along the way. When not living a nautical life on the West Coast, Paul works in New York City as a documentary photographer and lighting director in the fashion industry. He is also a well recognized teacher of outdoor photography and lighting in Seattle and New York. As a member of the Sailing Collective, Paul happily shares his love for boating and photography as a captain who also can teach high-level photography to guests onboard in beautiful and remote locations.
Born and raised in Key West, FL, Capt. Lilly has lived her life surrounded by saltwater. With over 20 years of boating experience, Lilly learned to operate her own boat - navigating it through the narrow channels and over the shallow waters of the Florida Keys backcountry years before she could drive a car. At 15 she sailed from Key West to Boston. Lilly is an avid angler and free diver, loves to surf, hike, and explore the many gifts Hawaii has to offer. In her lifetime of experience on the water Lilly has matured into a skilled boat handler with an emphasis on the safety of her crew and passengers, and a gift for sharing her love of the ocean. After graduating from the University of Florida, Lilly moved aboard a 125-ft gaff-rigged schooner that she crewed seasonally from Key West to Boston. In the Caribbean, Lilly worked with a fleet of boats including large catamarans and schooners. She has managed the fractional ownership business SailTime and the American Sailing Association School in Virginia Beach, where she maintained, operated, and taught sailing aboard a fleet of boats. She currently holds a 100-ton GRT Master Captains License with Sail and Tow endorsements and her teaching certification through the American Sailing Association.
Andrew began sailing after college in his hometown of Chicago, where he spent summers cruising the coastline in J/22s with friends. His appreciation for sportsmanship grew into offshore yacht-racing, crewing foredeck in the 40ft class. After a few years in the regatta circuit, Andrew moved to England to achieve his personal goal of becoming a Yachtmaster of the Royal Yachting Association. The pursuit has taken him the world over and he comes to Sailing Collective an adventurous and social spirit. Today, he's a New Yorker in the making, dining his way through Manhattan and sailing about the island.
Charlotte grew up in New York City sailing on her family's Seafarer 31'. At the age of six, she began sailing dinghies at her local yacht club. She became active in her yacht club's PHRF racing and crewed in regattas up to the national level. Charlotte further pursued her passion by teaching sailing every Summer in New York at Manhattan Sailing School and Hudson River Community Sailing, all while completing her studies in Psychology and Sociology at Hunter College.
Charlotte now lives and works full time as a captain in the BVI. She has 17 years of sailing instruction under her belt, over 6,000 nautical miles offshore delivering yachts, and both USCG and BVI Captain's licenses. In her spare time, she can be found island hopping, hiking, reading, racing in regattas around the Caribbean, throwing extravagant dinner parties, diving, and falling off surfboards.
Lauren Gerrie was born and raised in Southern California and moved to New York City 16 years ago to pursue her life as a professional dancer and artist. During college, while serving and cocktailing in restaurants and bars all over lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, she began to explore her deep love of cooking and the unique world that is the service industry. After working and training in Tuscany she returned to NY and began a creative culinary company with her best friend Flannery called bigLITTLE Get Together. She has competed and won on CHOPPED and CHOPPED CHAMPIONS and in 2017 returned to the show as a guest judge. Lauren recently resigned after almost seven years from her role as Marc Jacobs' private chef. She is a partner and pastry consultant for CERVO'S restaurant in the Lower East Side. She continues to work as a private chef and as a food writer for Paper Magazine, Domino Magazine, Furthermore, Counter Service, and other kick ass culinary & lifestyle publications. When Lauren isn't cooking she teaches an all levels adult dance class called MOVES, is a dog mom to her crazy pup Boot, and can be seen biking all over the city.... usually with a back pack of groceries!
Matt, a New Orleans native, was raised in a restaurant family. His family ran several restaurants throughout the French Quarter, all inspired by their immigration from Hong Kong. He took after his Grandmother and Uncles, spending time in the kitchen tasting anything that could, and some that he shouldn't.
After highschool Matt went on to pursue his own culinary path with ambition of cooking around the world. He took an apprenticeship in a small New Orleans creole cottage, Iris, learning the kitchen dance, one on one with the Chef. Honing his talents, he grew into bigger roles in bigger kitchens, learning from many, including Chef Susan Spicer in New Orleans and David Chang in New York, cooking everything from old world French baguettes to aerated cheese foam in mozzarella balloons. His passion for cooking has manifested itself into travels, journeys and lifetime friendships throughout the world.
Spencer's sailing career began early on the rough waters of New Jersey's Lake Hopatcong. After a skeptical first year at age 7, he eventually found his sea legs and started to gain recognition in the racing circuit. Spencer sailed in the PHRF Race Series as well as 420s and placed 13th in the US Nationals. Spencer continued competitive sailing until he started at New York Maritime College. In College he discovered the joys of noncompetetive recreational sailing while earning his degree in Marine Business and Commerce. Spencer has sailed on the T.S. Empire State to more than fourteen different countries and is a certified rescue diver with more than seventy dives in five different countries. When he's not manning the helm, Spencer can be found slinging cocktails behind the stick of one of New York's favorite outdoor bars...which also happens to be on a boat.
Liz began sailing on the Hudson River when she was eight and immediately fell in love. She soon moved to the Maine coast where she started her education in coastal cruising after obtaining her own boat. Between then and now, Liz has worked at Morris Yachts as a rigger and cruised from Barcelona to London in a seventy-nine foot trimaran, Earthrace (made famous by the TV show Whale Wars as the Ady Gil). She began her captaining career on a privately owned lobster yacht and has gone on to do deliveries up and down the east coast on an array of different vessels. In the summer months she manages the waterfront of The Northeast Harbor Fleet Yacht Club, maintaining the clubs boats and providing private sailing lessons in her free time. She lives aboard her twenty-five foot sailboat and is a USCG certified captain.
Alida Borgna is from Umbria and has moved between the academic and professional worlds of food over the past decade. She creates edible landscapes using traditional cooking techniques learned through years of working on farms around the world and as a private chef in her hometown of New York. Her food allows diners to engage and interact playfully while luxuriating in the flavors and textures of the seasons. Borgna holds a Master's Degree in Food Culture and Ecology from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Piemonte.
A native to Maine and unabashed thalassophile, Jon has worked on the water for over 12 years and has sailed over 15,000 miles. On land he has walked the width and breadth of two nations and has lived in cities from New York to Honolulu to Bangkok. While solo journeys have incredible value, for him, it is the communal expeditions in outdoor settings that have defined Jon’s time in the wilderness as they provide the rare combination of camaraderie and growth that only can be known through group adventure. He has worked with at-risk youth building boats in Portland, Maine; college students on semester-long tallships sailing voyages in the Caribbean; and as an instructor for Outward Bound. He holds a USCG masters license, and has participated in international competitions on traditional 18th century wooden Bantry Bay Gigs, canoed Alaska's Inside Passage rain forest, and operatied a marine research vessel for Cornell University. When not on the move, he enjoys living in small island communities off the New England coast.
Kate grew up sailing on the Long Island Sound with her Dad, and started teaching sailing at age 15. A little bit of racing in college followed by some stints doing big boat deliveries led her to become full-time crew aboard private mega-yachts, and she's since risen through the ranks to become captain. She has cruised all over the world aboard some really beautiful vessels, but has ultimately chosen to settle-down in the Chesapeake Bay where she has a family anda land-based business called, DryLand. Captain Kate couldn't fully give up her sea legs and spends lots of time teaching new boat owners how to sail, filling in as captain for some old yachting friends, and filming adventures aboard anything that floats!
Vivian grew up in a culture where eating well was equivalent to living well, the ultimate expression of care and warmth. From seemingly incongruent beginnings in fashion design to event production to the creation of a pop-up dinner series, she realized that her real passion was for building community through the serving and sharing of beautifully presented meals. She remains curious about various methods of cooking and international flavors, finding constant joy while shopping local farmers’ markets throughout her travels.
On July 4th - 11th, 2015, chef Tara Norvell of Roberta’s, Okonomi, and the Spotted Pig set sail with Sailing Collective in the Gulf of Naples to film the inaugural ‘Food Stories’ journey. Over the course of the journey, Tara explored the culinary traditions of the islands of Ponza, Ventotene, Procida, and Ischia, a rich coastal region of Italian cuisine. She met up with chef Tim Siadatan, of London’s award winning Italian restaurant Trullo and visited the ancient vineyard Casa D’Abra, learning techniques from local chef’s, and prepared a meal for the crew aboard. Tara Norvell went to Le Cordon Blue in London and is a renowned chef in New York City, having worked for The Spotted Pig and Roberta’s before co-founding Okonimi, in Brooklyn.
Captain Kirk Robinson has always been an incredibly active person both on and off the water. Growing up between Antigua and Jamaica- he spent his early life training to be a professional soccer player. After going on to represent Antigua internationally he came back to the sea where he most loved to spend his time. Kirk started his sailing career as an Engineer with Sunsail working mostly in Antigua and the British Virgin Islands. He travelled to Panama in 2005 to receive his training to become a licensed Captain. For the past 11 years he has been sailing around the BVI and the Caribbean Sea working independently as Captain Kirk.
Sandy Ho grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney Australia and spent most of her time in the kitchen with her mum perfecting her Vietnamese culinary skills. Widely travelling at a young age, she found a great love for food from all over the world and has a ‘try anything once’ attitude. After finishing a BA in Fine Arts, Sandy relocated to Melbourne where she realised her hobby in the kitchen became a real life dream career and left the artist life to learn about food. She headed the kitchen team at Non for Profit bar Shebeen where her flair for menu and recipe planning also led her to move into private catering for many large and small scale events in the Melbourne area. Her interest lies in the use and care of local and sustainable produce which has given her the opportunity to travel, meet and collaborate with the makers of our food. Sandy joins The Sailing Collective with an agenda to spark positive sharing of flavour and food all around the world.
Katja Tausig grew up in London - She is currently the head chef of London's Koya Soho. She has spent the past few years working and training in Japanese cuisine, but has a background of Italian food, learned at Trullo Restaurant in London. She has spent summers cooking full time for the Sailing Collective, which allowed her to connect her passions for travel and food. She enjoys learning new and unique recipes directly from the authentic source during her travels and adapts these recipes to her meals aboard using seasonal local produce provisioning locally and foraging when possible. Instagram: @katjatausig
Amy Yi believes that food is community. For her, the power of food is most deeply demonstrated in the bonds it can forge; the social, environmental and economic implications it can illuminate; and the experiences it can bring to life for those who come together to break bread. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Amy was initially drawn to the competitive pace of New York City as an advertising associate for magazines such as Glamour and Fortune but soon realized that what she craved was a much more visceral connection to her work and an opportunity to nourish and delight others through food. With the pioneering spirit of the west coast coursing through her, she skipped culinary school, instead opting to jump right onto the line. What followed was a remarkable journey through stages at Mugaritz and Noma, influential experiences at esteemed restaurants such as Degustation and Jean Georges, Executive sous chef at Upland, and most recently, culinary director at West-Borne. Grounded in her California-Korean heritage with a serious case of wanderlust, Amy’s culinary inspiration and worldview draws from family traditions infused with a passion for cultural diversity. Amy strives to bring an everyday rapture to what you crave, how you care for your community, and why a collective impact matters.
Tyler Sauter is a boatman that would fit in on a ship if you dropped him in the ranks anywhere throughout time. As a boat builder, he worked and taught at the WoodenBoat school where he studied traditional methods of construction and restoration and studied boat building at the Landing School in their Marine Industry program. As a sailor, Tyler taught small boat handling at the WoodenBoat school in Maine and has embarked on many voyages on ships big and small. He currently lives full time on his sailboat in the northeast sailing where work and whim may take him.
Gabrielle is passionate about the intersection of food, shared-experience and nutrition. The origin, quality and seasonality of the ingredients are essential to her methodology, and she strives to use her cooking to connect people and open diners up to new flavors and sensations. Her style is a mix of home-cooking, experimentation, and ethnic flare. She attended Natural Gourmet Institute, where she learned to cook for people with dietary restrictions and transform culinary techniques into health-supportive recipes and menus. Additionally, she worked at Blue Hill, where she was trained in the highest level of farm-to-table food preparation and presentation. From there, she moved on to Pietro, where she was the Sous-Chef, and delved into the nuances of Sardinian-Italian cuisine. Most recently she made a pilgrimage to Lebanon where she investigated her heritage through the lease of food, by spending time cooking with women from various regions of the country at Tawlet, Beirut.
Dwyer grew up in the mountains of New Hampshire and spent a good portion of his childhood in the backcountry. After a stint building a ski factory in Asia, Dwyer quit his job, bought a sailboat, learned to sail over the course of a couple months, and sailed single-handed 12,000 nm down the west coast of the Americas to Chilean Patagonia. Dwyer draws his culinary inspirations from his travels and his time around the campfire. He has a soft spot in his heart for dumplings (of all shapes and sizes) and he once cooked a three course meal over a volcanic vent during a ski tour high in the Andes. He's committed to lowering his environmental footprint and focuses on adapting his cooking to whatever ingredients are local and seasonal.
Andrew Poneros is an artist and designer born and raised in NYC. He discovered sailboats when the graceful lines of an old sloop caught his eye as an artful object almost 20 years ago. This quickly led to acquiring his first boat on which he spent much of that time exploring the waters from NYC to Montauk to the Mediterranean. His artwork already informed by growing up with graffiti while also inspired by the iconography of his Greek heritage eventually became largely influenced by his nautical lifestyle and the mythology of the sea. Poneros makes paintings, light sculptures and short films. He currently works out of his studio in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Impossible to make the week better. The
cuisine was fit for royalty - I ate like a king all week - and Ms Flannery
executed every challenge with a contagiously positive "Can Do"
attitude - regardless of how stuffy the galley became with hatches closed
during a squall. Her compositions were stunning even when preparing for
hours while underway. She sets the bar very high indeed. The Capt was highly
skilled and yet allowed us opportunities to improve our skills. Spencer
communicated well about itinerary options and executed a perfect plan to
balance all of our activity choices, avoid weather & avoid crowds
(Bucketlusters). Stefanie added wonderful splashes of levity (sometimes
blended with her First Mate responsibilities but often just outward
processing of a special moment on deck) that were priceless. Always timed
perfectly - never at the expense of anyone - a perfect complement to the
week. So wish I had that gift. Bottom Line... Not sure how the SC so
consistently accomplishes excellence given the breadth of variables in each
adventure but I am grateful indeed.
Please rate the following parts of your expereince...
Wonderful trip. Exceeded our expectations.
How well did the journey meet your expectations?:Well above
How did you hear about Sailing Collective?*:From a friend
Anything else on your mind that you'd like to share? :Gabby and Charlotte
were an amazing crew. I loved that they were flexible with the plans based
on weather and interests of the kids. Gabby cooked up amazing meals and we
all came back many pounds heavier! And one of our favorite evenings was a
s'mores night bonfire on the beach that they helped organize. It was
magical.
This was my first experience with the Sailing Collective. Being an experienced sailor, I was very impressed with Captain Ross Beane. Professional, competent and all around great guy. In fact, one of the most impressive captains I have ever encountered. And as for our chef, the lovely Lauren Gerrie, what can I say except she continued to amaze me (and everyone else!) with the creative and sumptuous meals she prepared. The finest gourmet fare I have ever experienced. We were not kidding when we said, we had truly the BEST RESTAURANT IN TOWN! absolutely exquisite and delicious! I have already been spreading the word amongst my friends and family. We are strongly considering another journey perhaps to Croatia. All I can say is this group is TOP NOTCH!
Captain Marshall and Chef Cynthia turned our dream vacation into a reality. Captain Marshall adjusted plans continually for the sake of the three couples on board, giving us a wide variety of activities from intense sailing and paddleboard surfing, to snorkeling and sight-seeing, to sometimes just chilling on deck or at the beach when we all wanted some down time. I was especially pleased with how much he allowed me to take the helm and assist with mooring or getting underway. He also took us to a fun variety of famous places ashore for dining, drinking, and dancing. Chef Cynthia surprised us with the quality of her cooking, such that it is no exaggeration to say that the meals onboard were better than any of the restaurants we visited ashore. The camaraderie of the Marshall-Cynthia team made for the perfect vacation atmosphere throughout our voyage.
The Big Five aren’t the only wildlife worth seeing in Africa. About 75 percent of the species found in Madagascar live nowhere else on the planet, making the island Africa’s version of the Galapagos. Next year’s opening of Miavana on the island of Nosy Ankao finally gives the country its first plush base for exploring the wildlife and wilds. The conservation-minded property will reinvent the traditional safari experience, offering lemur treks on land and “blue safaris” in the surrounding marine preserve. More adventurous types can island-hop the Nosy Be Archipelago on a seven-night cruise with the Sailing Collective. Stops include epic dive sites; traditional villages; lemur colonies; and dreamy, empty beaches.
In the same fashion as each previous trip, every aspect was beyond exquisite. Everyone's "Team Spirt" attitude (within and across boats) the variety of destinations, experiences, foods, meal formats, cultural expossures all packed into ONE trip. I am already looking forward to the next Thailand sail - even if the itinerary for each day is exactly the same because I am certain that the experience will generate uniquely wonderful meemories.
The trip to the BVI's was an epic journey I'll always remember. Captain Dayyan was amazing; he is fun, kind, relatable, interesting, and allowed us to create a family environment. I enjoyed the itinerary we saw and did everything you'd want to do) and I couldn't have planned a trip like this on my own. I feel I've made new friendships and am inspired in general. I can't wait to return on another adventure with the Sailing Collective and I continue to look at my pictures all day long. Thank you!
Travel by seaNothing elevates a beach vacation like sailing. If you don't want the hassle of maintaining a boat—and don't want to wait for an invitation from a friend—Sailing Collective is an option. Its founder and director, Dayyan Armstrong, plans the trips he would want to go on and then shares the experience with clients.
“Everyone is interested in authentic experiences, " he says. “On our trips it doesn't matter what your background is."
Sailing Collective aims to use technology to help clients find, discover, and book experiences that will ultimately allow them to disconnect from technology.
“We believe it's not all about sharing your experiences online," Armstrong says. “We pride ourselves on providing an atmosphere that encourages our guests to be there in that moment, to focus on the people and the beauty around you."
For instance, Sailing Collective's journey to Thailand's Phuket Bay enables guests to wake up to the turquoise Andaman Sea below them and towering limestone rock formations all around them, rising castle-like into the clear blue sky.
The ultimate travel luxury is the time to explore and enjoy your destination. Taking advantage of technology can ensure that precious moments aren't wasted wrangling reservations, mapping your course, packing, and scouring guidebooks and web sites for up-to-date intel. Instead, savor the hours skiing flawless snow at the back bowls in Vail, or shopping for the perfect bag at Florence's San Lorenzo leather goods market. Harness the power of thousands of experts and fellow voyagers, with the help of an algorithm or two, to make your travels unequivocally enriching and authentic.
I enjoyed every minute of the journey. I was a little concerned at one point before I left as I was the only solo traveler and I did not know anyone beforehand. But that was dispelled as soon as we were all on board. With Sandy, April and Rob and my four fellow journey members, it was always a wonderful vibe, the onshore explorations were great and I enormously enjoyed the entire trip. I was really happy to have spent the week with such a super group of people. Also, appreciated the time that Rob took to teach us sailing skills and having us at the helm and doing other sailing tasks.
I was very satisfied with the journey. Rob is an exceptionally talented captain. I really appreciated the way he made the planning for each day very collaborative. He also has developed contacts and clearly loves Croatia and meeting people there and has great ideas for places to see and where to anchor. The visit to the lighthouse at Stoncica and the friends we made there who then invited us to their house for breakfast was a highlight. The guided tour of Vis was also great. Rob really reaches out and spends time developing links with local people which is great and opens up all sorts of opportunities. His approach to organising the journey is great and he ensures that it is a lot of fun, that as far as possible it meets what the gang want to see and do and is full of wonderful adventures. Sandy's cooking was incredible. It was creative and delicious and made each day's meals very special and completely yummy. She is an incredibly talented chef and also wonderfully congenial and made the trip very special and memorable in many ways. I really enjoyed our group of passengers, it worked out very well, they were great company and also we had similar interests in what we wanted to see and do including sailing and exploring the islands that we visited. I enjoyed going to places that are less developed like Devenik and mooring at the lighthouse and also Milna on Brac was a lovely place to visit. The restaurant and visit to the town including to see the olive oil and wine being made were highlights. Again, Rob had found the artisan that we visited and it was a great place to go.
As you’ve heard, we’ve been on a quest to #seesummerbetter all season long—so, when our friends from the Sailing Collective invited us to join their journey to Sardinia, we happily hopped aboard (and brought a slew of sunglasses with us).
Who is the Sailing Collective? In their words, they are “sailing vacation specialists”. In ours, they’re a group of super-fun, extra-chill explorers who plan week-long sailing trips worldwide. And not to worry—the captains are trained professionals (pressure’s off), and fantastic cooks to boot.
Our days went a little something like this: morning laps around the boat (often in place of a shower), lounging on deck with a book in-hand, a game or two of backgammon, and open ocean crossing. When docked, we zipped around La Maddalena on scooters, explored an abandoned fortress, and climbed stairs along the cliffs of Corsica. And of course, we ate well, both on-board and at local eateries found by our captain.
Frankly, our recap doesn’t do the trip justice—just take a look below (and follow along with both of us on Instagram for more this week!).
We were in very good hands, and were able to decide as a group what we felt like doing every day with such flexibility and spontaneity. Our Captain, Rob, was great at facilitating the group and meeting our various needs -- some wanted to learn to sail in particular and they got a lot hands-on experience, as he is also a sailing instructor. Our Chef, Sandy, spoiled us every day with absolutely outstanding meals like hand-made gnocchi, a platter of mussels, or fresh fish -- all made with fresh, local ingredients including local Croatian olive oil and freshly ground fennel flower she discovered at a market. We joked that 24 hours into the trip we had already accomplished our vacation goals -- discovering remote Croatian island villages, swimming in crystal-clear azure Mediterranean water, drinking local wine and to top it off we even saw a big school of dolphins and sparkling phosphorescence in the water at night! Captain Rob, who has now spent so much time in Croatia, has made a number of friends on the various islands and took us to all kinds of special restaurants we would never have discovered ourselves, and we even were invited to private dinner party at lighthouse through his friendship with the lighthouse keeper! Incredible and unique experience -- definitely not a generic tour! I can't recommend The Sailing Collective highly enough!
Dayyan Armstrong founded the Sailing Collective to make his lifelong hobby more easily accessible. But make no mistake — his yacht-chartering, Brooklyn-based company is more hipster than WASP. Trips to the British Virgin Islands, Thailand, Italy, Croatia and more can include a fleet of up to eight boats, with each itinerary carefully designed to take vacationers to hidden spots. A local’s beachside shack in Jost Van Dyke, for example, becomes a private outdoor dinner party serving up johnnycakes, conch and mahimahi to guests. “We are traveling to these coves or towns that are either completely inaccessible by other means or just very difficult [to get to],” Armstrong says. The site has several features that set it aside from the Expedias and Kayaks of the world: users get to have an embedded experience, helping with the day-to-day chores of boating, assisting with cooking, cleaning and yes, sailing. “You’re being a real explorer,” says Armstrong. “It places you in a position to really articulate your own adventure.” And to make the experience more seamless, vacationers fill out questionnaires ahead of the trip so that they’ll be matched to a boat with like-minded people — think of it as Tinder for sailing. Dayyan is very clear though: it’s not all work and no play. “We’re always in motion sailing from one island to another, in this active form, but the ethos of what we do is to enforce an absolute chilling, so to speak,” he says. Right on. Link to Story
Everything was amazing. The crew was super attentive and I was catered to every need.
Above & beyond. The scenery, weather, crew, other guests, food, fun times and relaxed attitude while being on a small sail boat was one of the best trips of my entire life!
In the Fall print issue of The Window, we got an inside look at the Croatian summer escape of designer Lucian Rees Roberts and his architect husband Steven Harris. Our interest in the region piqued, we set out to explore more of Croatia’s rugged, island-scattered coastline.
Luckily, I had already planned a late-August adventure on one of Sailing Collective’s weeklong voyages around Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands, one of the most famous sets of islands in the Mediterranean. Sailing Collective is a boutique travel company that hosts sailing journeys worldwide, each skippered by experienced captains who curate the entire experience—from intel on the best local eateries to revealing hard-to-access swimming coves.
Our home for the week was Lady Milla Ana, a Hanse 575 sailboat with a fully functional kitchen (larger than the one in my East Village apartment!), four sleeping cabins, and plenty of deck space for our crew of 10 to lounge comfortably. We set sail from Trogir, a charming, stone-paved port town that dates back to the 3rd century. It’s home to one of the best food markets I’ve ever encountered, which allowed us to stock up on locally produced delicacies like cured meats, cheese, figs, and ripe veggies—all put to great use by our boat’s guest chef Sandy Ho, who prepared delightfully fresh daily meals.
For me, the defining element of our Sailing Collective trip around Central Dalmatia was not the elegant boat, or the beautiful coves, or the early morning swims after nights spent sleeping under the stars. It was the crew - Ross, Ana & Drew. They were a magic mix of good-humoured and chilled professionals who felt more like friends and who made our week of sailing what it was. Already scheming the next trip!
Since we've been back our friends have been asking about it and I've raved about you guys. Putting it to them like this: you know how sometimes you meet new people and they inspire you to be a better person?
The crew were outstanding. I was impressed how above and beyond they went to make sure everyone was content, all while exuding such a chilled, calm and happy exterior. The boat was beautiful with a teak deck. And our route, variety of stop offs and food were all perfect. I wont be able to board another sailboat without expecting the same high standard.
Ross was a perfect captain. Lead with expertise but allowed the trip flexibility to pander to our almost certainly frustrating vacillation of plans. A great experience with exceptional professionalism and far more fun than I could have hoped for. Can't recommend it enough. Exceptional planning and a route that was tailored to exactly what we wanted, day by day. This trip far exceeded expectations!
Many thanks.
I have been following The Sailing Collective for about a year and a half to try and get an idea of what the journey would be like and whether or not it would be something a group of my closest friends/family would enjoy. After much research and tons of questions, a group of six of us committed to the BVI journey.
This trip was something I was looking forward to and building up for so many reasons. I hyped it up SO much in my head that the day before I left I was actually a bit nervous that I may have set my expectations too high. I am happy to report that The Sailing Collective journey exceeded all my expectations in every which way possible.
Captain Ross and Rob were incredible. They were wonderful captains, cooks, story-tellers, guides, and ultimately, friends. From the start they were sure to communicate the basics of what to expect and listen to what we wanted out of our trip. From then on they organized and planned a journey that we will never forget. They helped us organize hikes, snorkel spots, dinner and bar spots, historic spots, shopping spots, etc. They taught us how to sail, how to fish, how to cook amazing meals from scratch (in the smallest kitchen ever), history of the spots we were visiting, and so much more. They were professional, knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating, thoughtful, smart, talented young men and we would highly recommend them as captains to all of our friends and family. We got engaged the day before we set sail and after this trip I am convinced I will get married on one of those islands and will do everything I can to somehow convince Captain Ross and Captain Rob to be on board :)
The trip was a great balance of land and sea, adventure and relaxation, work and play. It is something I'd recommend to anyone looking for a new way to travel and it is something I plan to do over and over again. We all had the best time and I cannot wait to plan my next trip.
We sailed in the BVI with sailing Collective in March 2016. They came highly recommended by a friend, and The sailing Collective did not disappoint. Dayyan took the time to listen to our goals and paired us with Rob Neville as captain. Rob was the ideal captain for us- he taught us how to sail in minimal time, and within a couple of days we were handling the sailboat under his watchful eye. All our meals were so tasty, and often more elaborate than one would expect could be prepared in a tiny sailboat galley! Additionally- Rob was an excellent tour guide, and we loved our stay in The BVI. Rob was often more like an entertainment director on a cruise ship, and he spent many hours with our sons- playing coconut rugby on the beach, doing science experiments, fishing, bouldering or whatever they wanted to do. We found calm protected anchorages each night, despite being very busy sailing season.
The destination was perfect, the charter was excellent. Our goals were to learn to sail, and to assess wether we could (or would like to) do this ourselves for a longer period of time. Rob was an excellent teacher, and the answer is a resounding YES! We are looking forward to getting ourselves certified to do a bareboat charter, and maybe one day cruising for a period of time.
It does not get better than the Sailing Collective! I challenge you to find a 5 star all enclusive trip at a better value. The Sailing Collective crew provides more than just an expert charter service, they provide unique sailing experience full of entertainment, relaxation, and gourmet meals.
It far exceeded my expectations, can i give it more stars? I hope I can make another trip, sometime next year!
This was a great trip. I was especially fond of the itinerary on the last half of the trip. Grand Case was a cute French seaside town, anchoring and exploring Ile Forchue was a unique and special experience, and St. Barts was gorgeous and luxurious. While the ride in a catamaran might not have been as thrilling a monohull, we certainly appreciated the roominess and stability on a couple of rough days into the wind. The crew was fantastic and accommodating. Great food, good conversation, attention to our comfort. And all they did to make a birthday celebration and a marriage proposal happen won't be forgotten.
This trip exceeded all my expectations - perfect for those seeking adventure, killer food, authenticity, and interesting people! Captain Ross and Chef Ana were beyond perfect - they matched the vibe of our crew, were excellent communicators, and super knowledgeable about sailing and Thailand! File me as an official Sailing Collective fan girl!
Dear Editor:
I’d like to take a few moments to discuss my experiences with the Sailing Collective. While the ocean is breathtaking, the sail is exciting, the food is intoxicating and the swimming is just about the most rejuvenating oceanic experience; it’s not these things that leave you wanting more. Sure the day-to-day activities and itineraries are wondrous but it’s the thing that you are not expecting that makes you want to book another trip before your current trip is over. What makes it the best trip of your life is the deep sense of camaraderie you build and the unforeseen adventures that manifest on each and every trip.
A trip with the Sailing Collective is a good mix of what you want, what you need, and what your soul requires. Each captain and crewmember has unique gifts and talents they share with the boat and somehow the Sailing Collective has an uncanny ability to fill boats with people that will most likely instantly (or after one night of bonding and a few glasses of wine) become an extension of your tribe.
Every trip with the Sailing Collective is a journey of discovery, even if you book the same itinerary twice; I ventured two separate times to the Dalmatian Coast and each trip had its own everlasting moments. Not only are Sailing Collective captains and crew jovial, the people you meet along the way are oftentimes the trip’s greatest assets. People like Ivor, the olive oil loving, prosciutto man in Hvar, Croatia that lives life to the fullest; Paula, at Eat-at-Vanita’s in Jost Van Dyke, BVIs, who is not only the island’s school janitor and the restaurant’s chef but an incarnation of the sweetest, most caring mother. And, Lena, the feisty restaurateur in Ponza, Italy, who through the "small world" phenomenon told me she knew my grandfather that passed away before I was born and remarked how much I looked like him.
I am craving another trip for more full belly laughter and for my dreams to continue being painted with seascapes and good cheer. So let’s pack the sunscreen, a few bathing suits and a rain jacket just in case but leave the rest to the Sailing Collective; they knew what they're doing. Trust me, but really, go and see for yourself.
Much love,
Erin
That first BVI experience [with the Sailing Collective] continues to become more amazing with each passing day. All of the aspects that one normally considers (water, temps, boat life, food, scenery...) were way more than I expected, but like most experiences in life, the aspect that "Knocked It Out of the Park" for me was the people - staff and clients alike - physically impossible to make it better in any way.
It does not get better than the Sailing Collective! I challenge you to find a 5 star all enclusive trip at a better value. The Sailing Collective crew provides more than just an expert charter service, they provide unique sailing experience full of entertainment, relaxation, and gourmet meals.
WE sailed in the BVI with sailing Collective in March 2016. They came highly recommended by a friend, and The sailing Collective did not disappoint. Dayyan took the time to listen to our goals and paired us with Rob Neville as captain. Rob was the ideal captain for us- he taught us how to sail in minimal time, and within a couple of days we were handling the sailboat under his watchful eye.
All our meals were so tasty, and often more elaborate than one would expect could be prepared in a tiny sailboat galley!
Additionally- Rob was an excellent tour guide, and we loved our stay in The BVI. Rob was often more like an entertainment director on a cruise ship, and he spent many hours with our sons- playing coconut rugby on the beach, doing science experiments, fishing, bouldering or whatever they wanted to do.
We found calm protected anchorages each night, despite being very busy sailing season.
I decided to go on this sailing trip despite knowing nothing about sailing and being a terrible swimmer. Although the idea seemed intimidating under those circumstances, the trip ended up being one of the best vacations I’ve ever been on. After a busy year, it was perfect to unwind on a secluded island with only the moon as your source of light. The surreal scenery and crystal clear waters made it really easy to get away from work and the outside world. It was an extra plus to be able to be on vacation without the stress of figuring out your daily itinerary and dealing with overpopulated tourist sites.The trip was well planned and there were always different options for crew members to do different things according to their mood. It was great that I could sleep on the boat for the whole day if I wanted to, and wasn’t pressured to do otherwise. The food was also great on this trip. Max and Dayyan made incredible paella and taco dishes, and we went to some great restaurants as well. I was pretty nervous about living on a boat for a week because of my motion sickness, but I quickly got used to it and easily fell asleep at night, to my surprise. The biggest success of my trip was that I learned how to snorkel and somewhat fixed my terrible swimming skills. Wohoo!I would recommend this trip to anyone who’s looking for an affordable vacation and a one of a kind adventure.
Trip was absolutely wonderful. Dayyan was our captain and his easy-going, yet completely in control personality made the trip a delight. When you are on a small boat for a week, the personality of the captain is critical and I can’t say enough about how wonderful it was to travel with Dayyan. And as a vacation . . . those who haven’t tried it yet should . . . it’s a vacation like no other. The beauty, serenity and the chance to really get away from it all can’t be beat.
My vacation with The Sailing Collective was one of the best trips I have ever taken. They did all of the brunt work for us: planning the trip, chartering the beautiful boats, and ensuring safe navigation through the beautiful Caribbean Sea. I never thought I would be able to sail a huge sailboat, but with Cap’t Dayyan, that dream was lived! We also brought along scuba diving gear and were able to dive some off-the-beaten path reefs. The 8 other people on my boat, along with the 6 people on our convoy boat have become friends that I hope to keep for life. In short, my trip with The Sailing Collective offered me some of the best times with strangers who became friends, allowed me to see unique and sometimes desolate parts of the world and the ability to live on water for a week! Who could ask for more?
Beach. Boat. Booze. The three main ingredients I was looking for when I was scouting out a vacation for my sister and I. And what we found was so much more than that.
I came across The Sailing Collective and read about all the different place they would charter there boats. Although all of them looked amazing (Italy, Brazil, West Coast etc) the one that really stuck out to us was the Sailing/Yoga trip that went around to BVI. And I can honestly it was the best decision I’ve made in a LOOOONNGGG time.
Quick recap:
-Beautiful Weather
-snorkeling
-Hiking
-Rock Climbing/jumping (took me a solid 10 min to do it tho)
-Learning how to sail
-1 hour yoga classes on the sandy beaching every morning
- Family style cooking on the boat
- living in your bathing suit for 7 straight days
- each day sailing for a couple of hours to a new island then exploring the waters and land.
- seeing dolphins and jumping sting rays
- Swimming with sea turtles and weird glowing plankton at night.
And these bulletin points doesn’t even come close to explaining how phenomenal this vacation was. And truth be told, a lot of it had to do with our Captain, Capt. Dayyan and our Yoga instructor Heather. Both of them were trained professional in sailing so were able to teach us sailing terminology, answer any questions we had and got to actually sail the boat. By the second day all 8 of us were working together hosting the sails, dropping the anchor, learning how to tie different knots and swabbing the deck. Both of them made the whole experience just plan ol’ fun.
Having Yoga every morning was definitely key. Some mornings you wake up after a long night of running around the islands local bars and that cup of coffee just won’t cut it. But jumping into the turquoise water and swimming to a sandy beach, doing a solid hour of stretching in the sun then swimming back to the boat definitely does the trick. Heather’s yoga classes where perfect too. She was able to cater to people who were either experienced or inexperienced in yoga.
All in all it was hands down one of the best experiences I’ve had. And the beautiful part is there are so many other places I can sail to and explore with there company. The gift that keeps on giving. BOOM.
When we decided to book a sailing trip with The Sailing Collective to the BVI, I had a fantasy of what that would be like … crystal-clear turquoise water, white sand beaches, palm trees, lounging on a luxurious sailboat, wind in my hair, drink in my hand … and this trip didn’t disappoint. It was one of my all time favorite vacations and sailing is now my new favorite way to travel!While my husband’s idea of a perfect vacation is often different from mine (I believe visions of pirates and swashbuckling danced in his head when I suggested we go sailing) we both got exactly the vacation we wanted.
This trip was the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Captain Dayyan was a wonderful teacher and guide (and chef) and really made the trip amazing.
We were already planning our next trip with The Sailing Collective before we even left the boat. Now that we’ve returned home, all of my friends and family are sick of me talking about my vacation and my husband is recommending it to everyone he talks to. If you’re considering doing this, my only advice is “just do it” you won’t regret it!
I decided to take this trip after talking to Captain Dayyan about getting some substantial sailing experience after completing a beginners sailing class in Manhattan. I was looking for some hands on coastal cruising and ended up getting not only that, but one of the most enjoyable vacations of my life. The Sailing Collective are young and laid back, but surprisingly skilled, organized, considerate, and efficient. The trip ran without a hitch from the early stages of planning in Brooklyn until I was back on the tarmac at JFK. It is great to see a DIY ethic applied to something as often pretentious as sailing, because it makes so much sense. I really love sailing and being a broke vegan kid temporarily living in Brooklyn I never thought I would be able to have such a positive sailing experience, especially based out of New York! The locations were well picked, the boats where wonderful, the crew was great, and we were under sail practically the entire time! I can’t recommend a trip with these folks enough!”
I had been on two sailing vacations before this one, with a friend’s family. Though we went to some amazing Mediterranean destinations on those trips, this trip was still the best. The boats were comfortable, the destinations were great (we slept in the harbor of a desert island!), and, most importantly, the captains and the company were fantastic. When you’re going to be on a boat with a handful of other people day in and day out for a week, it’s *extremely* important that everyone basically get along. The Collective made the effort to not only chat with or meet everyone on the trip in person, they even arranged some get-togethers before the trip so that we all had a chance to get to know each other as well. Because of that, not only am I going on another one of their trips this June, but I feel like I really made some new friends on the first one.
Amaaaaaaazing !!! One of the best vacations of my life! The food was incredible !! The boat was so comfortable, and the places that they choose were so beautiful ... the captain know to make you happy and he showed how to enjoy every place from the heart, not just the head. How well did the journey meet your expectations?: Yes ... I wanted to have a new experience and it was a sorprise everytime. So ... I didn't plan anything ... I just enjoyed it ..
