Capt. Don is an experienced ASA certified instructor and USCG licensed captain with cruising experience in Greece, Turkey, the Med, South Pacific, Hawaii, San Juans and BC, Mexico, Gulf and West Coast, the Virgins and Barbados in addition to skills learned as a former training instructor for GE and BHP, the largest company in Australia. I am the sole owner, skipper and instructor on DULCINEA and my goal would be to prepare you to charter and skipper your own boat or charter with Sunsail, Moorings or any other charter company anywhere in the world.  BSA total immersion instruction exceeds ASA standards and for the 48-required-hour ASA 104 to Catalina, BSA also includes night and heavy-weather sailing and navigation, comprehensive cruising and live aboard methods, full modern instrumentation and equipment instruction including radar, chart plotter, GPS, generator, inverter, auto-pilot, roller-furling main and headsail, and wireless internet weather forecasts and charts. The 3-day Newport/Ensenada Race in April is a 103 and 104 qualifying voyage and the Channel Islands are another option for a longer cruise. 

 

 DULCINEA's well-appointed and comfortable accommodations include two double-berth cabins and heads, linens, large galley with frig, freezer, broiler, micro-wave and complete utensils, TV, wireless internet access, cockpit grill, dingy w/motor, tandem kayak and snorkeling gear to make your live aboard sailing instruction/vacation cruise a memorable learning experience. For my former students, I offer 24/7 phone or email advisory and info service while you are planning a cruise or out there. 

 

BSA furnishes all onboard expenses including ASA texts, tests and logbooks, food, fuel, mooring fees and pickup and return to your airport. If you think that this might work for you, please phone or email me with specific information on you experience level or prior certifications, number in your party, tentative schedule and any particular requests, in order to determine rates and availability. A 50% deposit secures your firm reservation and I would immediately send you your ASA texts, logbook and additional BSA info so that you are prepared to start operating the vessel, after demonstration, from the time we leave the dock.

 

DULCINEA is a legally operated, well-equipped, fully insured, USCG inspected Hunter 45 that meets and exceeds the USCG regulations for a vessel carrying passengers for hire:
   (1)  USCG Documented Vessel with Coastwise Trade commercial endorsement.
   (2)  Meets or exceeds all USCG Uninspected Passenger Vessel, UPV, CFR safety requirements and equipment for a motorized commercial vessel carrying paying passengers and students. While not required, DULCINEA has been USCG inspected and certified.
    (3) Legally skippered by a USCG licensed master with the appropriate Coastal Waters license, motorized Sailing Vessel endorsements, current zero-tolerance Drug Test Certificate, and other requirements.
   (4) Legal operation with documented vessel, UPV equipment and licensed captain, allow it to meet commercial charter insurance requirements that cover it's students and passengers.  

Capt. Don will travel to any Sunsail or Moorings location in the world, including Greece, to skipper your vessel, instruct, certify and assist you on your sailing instruction vacation.  Speaks Greek and can teach Greek dancing too!