True North Sailing School

Many sailing schools and clubs offer sailing trips in the Caribbean but not all trips are equal in what they offer. Listed below are a few things you should consider when comparison shopping.

SIZE OF YACHT – True North uses monohulls of at least 46 feet in length and 45 foot catamarans. The advantages of larger yachts are a more comfortable and faster ride, more "elbow room" on deck, in the cockpit, below decks and in your berth. Our yachts have private toilets and showers in EVERY cabin so you only have to share your toothpaste, shower and toilet seat with one other person for the duration of the trip. Some schools use yachts with 3 or 4 cabins but only 2 toilets where privacy is definitely an issue.

LENGTH OF TRIP – True North offers a nine day trip. You fly to Tortola on Saturday and return the following Sunday. You get nine days on the boat but still only miss 5 work days. From the day you arrive until the day you leave you are living on the yacht so you do not have to spend additional dollars on hotel rooms. Many other trips offer 1 or sometimes 2 less days of sailing time. Your airfare is the same price whether you spend 8 or 9 days in paradise so why not get an additional day of sailing at no additional cost? Isn’t that why you are heading to the Caribbean to go sailing?

MEAL PLAN – From the time we cast off until the time we return to the dock all meals (breakfasts, lunches and dinners) are included. True North even includes three dinners ashore (at the Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock Resort and a Caribbean Lobster feast in Anegada). Other trips DO NOT include these dinners ashore which combined will add a minimum of an additional $135 to the cost of your trip.

SAFETY AND FUN IN NUMBERS – Some schools spread their winter programs out over a number of weeks and may only have 1 boat sailing each week in the Caribbean. At True North our philosophy is to get all of our Caribbean Sailing Participants sailing during the same nine day period. This plan not only adds to the safety aspect "Safety in Numbers" but also adds to the social aspects as well as we have a party every night ashore (which you can attend if you so desire or you can have a quiet cocktail on board if you wish). At True North we have had as many as 120 sailors sailing 20 fifty foot yachts on our flotillas. We also give you options in evening anchorages so if you decide you would like to go off on your own for a night or two and leave the crowd you do have this option. Believe me there is not a better vacation to be had. Singles, couples and groups are welcome. We can find you a cabin mate. Sailing experience is an asset but not required. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable about participating even if you do not know anyone else on the trip as you will make great friends in a matter of hours. Magical things can happen under the Caribbean moon.

EXPERIENCE – True North Sailing Director Rick Van Loon has organized sailing vacations in the British Virgin Islands every year since 1990. His local knowledge, itinerary planning and experience save you valuable vacation time and anxiety.
Any questions call Rick at 201 626-3210 office.