5 Day Ladies Sailing Adventure/ASA certifications

Here at Sunshine Sailing we offer couples, singles and women's live aboard sailing vacations and family sailing vacations. This week's lady pirate was lovely Amber from Denver Colorado, for an ASA 101-103 live aboard adventure

Amber relaxing in the cockpit of CourVolant

Little gaff-rigged cat boat out for a brisk sail/Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys

Cour Volant Anchored off Rodriguez Key on the first evening out/Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys/ASA certifications

Amber learning the art of navigation and enjoying some home made hummus/Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys

Amber takes in the view from the bow of Cour Volant on our sail to Long Key/Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys

Yummy fish tacos! Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys

Resting on deck gives you time to learn about weather, and to study the clouds/Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys

Kayaking in the mangroves of Lignumvitae Key/Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys

Beautiful Rainbow in the Florida Bay after a stormy evening/Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys

Amber enjoying the expansive ocean views after her first time in 30 knot winds! Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys

Women sailing adventures in FL and the Keys/ASA certifications

Ship's Log- Our first evening started off at noon with moderate winds and beautiful sunny skies. On a beam reach we started practicing our sailing skills, taking here and there while the winds steadily increased. The turquoise water speed beneath Cour Volant's blue hull as the winds picked up to 25knts with gusts to 30!

Yes we ladies can sail easily and comfortably in strong winds! We ended the day with fresh flounder tacos and a beautiful sunset.

Day two had us on a broad reach sailing nearly 30 miles down the coast of the Upper Keys to Long Key, then into Florida Bay for a nice anchorage behind historic Lignumvitae Key, a national Botanical Sanctuary.

We learned the art navigating using charts, taking bearings and plotting GPS positions. The hungry lady pirates had home made from scratch veggie pizza made in Cour Volant's galley.

Day Three started by some yummy omelets and a long kayak around Lignumvitae Key to see the fish, birds and mangroves. It was quite a workout as the winds and currents were quite strong on outbound leg, but then brought us back to the boat on the return leg without even paddling! We pulled anchor and sailed the Florida Bay, with winds in the mid-twenties and gorgeous flat calm turquoise waters practicing our sailing skills. We were approached by a few curious dolphin and watched them frolic in our bow wake. Ah to be a dolphin! Then to our surprise we sailed up on a shy sea turtle, who dove deep below as soon as he spotted our boat. Capt and Cook Edana made up some giant black bean, lime and cilantro burritos topped off with home made Pico de Gallo.

Day Four started with another round of fresh breezes, sunny skies, classroom time, and anchoring practice while anchored in Matecumbe Key. While lounging on deck we practiced our knot tying skills and learned how to identify cloud types.We made a big batch of peanut stir fry and prepared the boat for the squally night ahead.

Day Five started early when the frontal system, bearing down on us from the north, hit around 1am. Capt and Crew practiced setting the anchor alarm and watched the storm blow by while having a midnight snack. The winds soon calmed down and the rain slowed and we crawled into our bunks and were fast asleep listening to the rain pitter patter on the deck. We awoke at dawn and made a big breakfast of french toast and eggs and were underway for the long trip back to Tavernier Key. On our way a little rain squall passed over us and allowed us to practice using the radar and also see a beautiful double rainbow. The storms took the force away from the wind and we motored home in fairly calm seas, with winds finally below 10 knts. Ah a relaxing day, fishing, cruising and practicing our coastal navigation. We tied up at the marina and had a nice lunch, showers! yippe...and learned some secret tricks on how to dock, use spring lines, and toss a line like a pro!

Capt. Edana