November 27, 2023 Update from Friday Harbor:

2023 Training Expedition Season Completed! Legs 9 & 10 were challenging with Tropical Cyclone Lola passing within 50 miles of our location packing winds of more than 60 knots and seas of 6 meters (19′!). Fortunately, we were in port during the windiest period, waiting for the Elan 423 we were sailing to be hauled to have the saildrive repaired. The balance of Leg 9 provided fabulous sailing with sunny days and water temps warm enough that everyone was swimming repeatedly. Leg 10 had even warmer conditions and the challenge of an inoperative anchor windlass which didn’t slow the crew down one bit. A first in 34 years of expeditions was that both Legs 9 & 10 crew had planned reunions before the expeditions had ended! Leg 9 are renting an Air BnB house in Annapolis for the October 2024 boat show. With such great sailing and weather, I’ve already booked Legs 5 & 6, 2024 in New Zealand. Check out updates from every previous expedition on Instagram or Facebook: #mahinaexpeditions.

JUST A FEW 2024 TRAINING EXPEDITION BERTHS LEFT As of today, there is just one berth open on each of Legs 1, 2 & 3.

LEGS 5 & 6 2024 IN NEW ZEALAND DATES ANNOUNCED: Leg 5: November 9-18, Leg 6: November 20-29.

FIRST EVER TWO-DAY RIGGING & SAIL REPAIR WORKSHOP OFFERED IN PORT TOWNSEND, WA, DEC 9 & 10, 2023: If self-sufficiency while cruising is a goal of yours, you will want to join me for this amazing learning opportunity. Organized by Erica Georgaklis of Port Townsend Sails and Sarah of Port Townsend Rigging. Erica is a presenter in my annual March Offshore Workshop at SVCollege and can be reached at 360-385-1640 for details. I’ll be presenting two sections in the seminar and will be participating in the marina walkabout where we view multiple boats in the marina, with Sarah and Erica pointing out rigging and sail issues while I remark on the suitability of several boats for offshore passage making.

AWESOME VIRTUAL 4-DAY MARINE WEATHER COURSE (ASA 119) OFFERED BY LISA BATCHELOR-FRAILEY: Lisa, a former US Naval meteorologist and oceanographer and author of several ASA training manuals presents this seminar which is required for some rallies annually, and it’s coming up shortly: Feb. 10 & 11 and 17 & 18. info@sailsi.com for details.

Just updated BOATS TO CONSIDER FOR OFFSHORE CRUISING LIST I’ve just totally gone through updating, adding and eliminating boats from my four-page list, based on recent findings and input from surveyors, boatyards and owners worldwide. Click HERE for the updated list.

NEW ASA-JOHN NEAL SEMINAR SERIES! Go to https://asa.com/news/2023/02/14/interview-with-john-neal/ for details on the five-part webinar series, and the first one is FREE!

VIRTUAL MAHINA SEMINAR with ebook version of the 260-page Offshore Cruising Companion completed and available! After an exciting and intensive four days of filming with two camera crews going simultaneously, the 10+ hour version of our 2-day Mahina Offshore Workshop held annually early March at the Marine Tech Center in Anacortes is available, either as unlimited digital access or as a USB drive. The $299 price includes periodic updates and the 260-page Offshore Cruising Companion (normally $60). Email me: sailing@mahina.com for payment details. A huge thanks to Julie and Gio Cappelli and of course to SVC Program Chair Mike Beemer.

More updates coming soon!