This article was featured on visitmdr.com in June 2023.

Ahoy, future sailors! Let’s dive into the world of sailing with a special Q&A session featuring the seasoned sailors of Blue Pacific Yachting. Scroll below to read answers from Blue Pacific Yachting’s General Manager, Mollie Perlman.

If the idea of mastering the art of sailing has been floating in your mind, then you’ve come to the right place! Picture yourself gliding through the sparkling waters of Marina del Rey, the wind tugging at your sails, and the sun kissing your skin. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have dabbled in sailing before, L.A.’s Marina offers a perfect playground for honing your skills.

American Sailing Association recently named Blue Pacific Yachting within their top 5 places in the world to learn how to sail this summer!  Click here to read the story. It’s even more remarkable considering they are one of only two locations in the United States mentioned in this list.

DO YOU OFFER GROUP CLASSES?

Blue Pacific Yachting offers group and private courses. Most of the courses we offer are certified ASA (American Sailing Association) classes.

We also offer certified US Powerboating courses. We run semi-private (2 people), private (1 person), family classes, and custom courses as well. Believe it or not, we offer these classes 365 days a year! We have weekday courses and weekend courses to fit everyone’s needs. If our scheduled class dates don’t work for you, and if you have a group of 3 or larger, or sign up for a private class, we can schedule the course around your schedule. We try to accommodate everyone and provide as many options as possible for our clients.

 

HOW MANY DAYS TO GET CERTIFIED AND SAIL YOUR OWN BOAT?

This depends on your goals. We have a building block approach. After your first class (Sailing – ASA 101, US Powerboating – Basic Powerboat Cruising), you’ll be able to charter our smaller vessels (up to 28ft).

The beginning level class lasts 2 full days. We also offer a confidence sail after you complete the course to give you extra practice with an instructor before you set sail on your own.

If your goal is to operate a slightly larger boat (up to 40ft), you’ll want to then take our intermediate level class (Sailing – 103, Powerboating – Inshore Powerboat Cruising). This class lasts 3 full days.

If your ultimate goal is to take our vessels to Catalina Island for a multi-day trip, you’ll then want to move onto our ASA 104 course for a 3 day/ 2 night class. Most of our students combine this class with our catamaran course (ASA 114), so you will take one of our four beautiful catamarans to the island.

I’ve taken this class myself a few times and highly recommend it! There’s nothing like waking up on a boat, listening to the waves, and watching the sunrise over the island.

 

ON WHAT KIND OF SAILBOAT DO YOU LEARN?

You will start out on our 25ft sailboats with an outboard engine. We recommend starting out on a small vessel due to the fact you feel the vessel respond much faster than a larger vessel.

As soon as you make an adjustment to the tiller (steering), the vessel immediately responds. Also, you will feel the change in direction and speed when sheeting in the sails and sheeting them out.

Lastly, body weight affects how the vessel sails… if you move weight to windward/leeward/forward/aft (all sailing terms you will learn in class!), you will see how that helps steer the boat, speed up the boat, etc.

As for our powerboating program, you will start out on a 28ft sports cruiser.

 

HOW WOULD SOMEONE GET TO “PRACTICE” SAILING? IS THERE A MEMBERSHIP OR SOME WAY TO RENT BOATS FROM YOU ONCE SOMEONE GETS CERTIFIED?

In terms of practice, yes, we highly recommend that once our students complete their classes, they should come back as soon as possible while the material is fresh in their minds and practice. Students can either sign up for 3-hour confidence sails, come back with fellow students to rent, or practice with family and friends on our smaller vessels.

We do offer a membership which helps bring down the costs of classes and charters. For example, our members get to take our 25ft vessels out for as little as $99 per day! We do this to encourage our members to keep up their skillset and so they have plenty of opportunities to get out on the water… even if it’s just for a couple hours after work on a beautiful summer day.

As for our powerboating program, our clients can rent our 28ft sports cruiser for as little as 2-hours so they can also practice and enjoy some time on the water. Our membership will give them access to lower pricing.

 

WHAT MAKES MARINA DEL REY A GOOD SPOT FOR LEARNING TO SAIL?

Marina del Rey is a great place to learn how to sail! Did you know, Marina del Rey is the second largest man-made marina in the world! The marina was designed and built with wind direction in mind, so sailors can easily sail in and out. For beginners, you can spend all day just sailing around inside the marina if you are not yet ready for ocean sailing. The conditions are ideal… average wind speed is between 5kts – 10kts (for non-sailors, this means you have just enough wind to go sailing, but not too much where it is overwhelming).

The Santa Monica Bay coastline is beautiful… head north and you will pass the iconic Santa Monica pier (and see the Hollywood sign in the distance!) and then up to beautiful Malibu. Head south and you will hit Palos Verdes cliffs and do some whale watching! Or head southwest and you will hit Catalina Island… a very popular destination for our students and charter clients! During wintertime, you can sail within the marina and see the snowcapped mountains in the distance. We are very lucky to be in a climate (65-to-75-degree average) where you can sail 365 days/year!

 

ANYTHING ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LEARNING TO SAIL?

Everyone learns differently and at different speeds. ASA has designed their sailing program to reach all types of learners… kinesthetic, audio, and visual. Their award-winning textbooks were developed by passionate sailing professionals. There are also quizzes and glossaries to help readers quickly pick up nautical terminology. Plus, the on the water drills will give you plenty of repetition and practice. If you feel you need more practice before setting sail on your own, you can purchase additional confidence sails so you can practice with an instructor until you feel ready.

This article was featured on asa.com in May 2023 and was written by Zeke Quezada.

SAIL TO CATALINA ISLAND

If you grow up in Southern California, you have looked across the Pacific Ocean to see Catalina Island—the island hovers on the horizon like our very own Riviera. As kids, you may have taken a whale watch boat across the channel or taken the ferry to the island for a day trip. In sixth grade, my elementary school class raised money to visit this island “26 miles across the sea,” and Santa Catalina was waiting for me.

10-year-old me; he became a sailor that day. As kids around me were getting seasick, I held a camera in my hand and took as many Instamatic photos as possible. Then, I watched a few sailboats, and I was hooked. I knew one day I would own a sailboat.

My first overnight sailing excursion was to Catalina Island, and my family still sails across to Two Harbors at least once a year.

Sailors wanting to have the Catalina Island experience can get just that with Blue Pacific Yachting out of Marina Del Rey, California.

SAIL TO CATALINA ISLAND WITH BLUE PACIFIC YACHTING

American Sailing School, Blue Pacific Yachting have added new learn to sail classes to their already lengthy collection of sailing courses. Their 6 day, 5 night “0 to Hero” live-aboard class is conducted on their new 2023 Excess 11 catamaran or their very popular 2019 Jeanneau 440. Students complete our ASA 101, 103, 104, and 114 classes in 6 days. The first two days are in Marina del Rey, and then on day 3, they take off for Catalina Island for the remaining 4 days.

Blue Pacific Yachting also offers a Catalina Island Charter Class. This non-ASA certification course helps build your charter skillset and charter resume for future trips. Blue Pacific Yachting has 4 catamarans in their fleet and they will be holding 3 separate 5-day charter classes (July, August, September). Classes includ the vessel, captain/instructor, some provisioning, fuel, and mooring fees.

Blue Pacific Yachting has a charter fleet that includes:

Catamarans

• 2022 Leopard 45 – 4 cabins/ 4 heads
• 2020 Lagoon 42 – 4 cabins/ 4 heads
• 2023 Excess 11 – 4 cabins/ 2 heads
• 2014 Leopard 44 – 4 cabins/ 4 heads

Monohulls

• 2023 Dufour 470 (47ft monohull with 4 cabins/4 heads
• 2019 Jeanneau 440 (44ft monohull with 3 cabins/2 heads)
• 2013 Dufour 450 Performance (45ft monohull with 3 cabins/ 2 heads)

WHY SAIL TO CATALINA ISLAND?

If you are from Southern Calironia it affords you a sailing vacation without a trip to the airport or updating your passport. However if you need more reasons to visit Santa Catalina Island here are a few:

• Beautiful natural scenery: Catalina Island is known for its stunning natural beauty, including crystal-clear waters, rugged coastline, and rolling hills. Spend an afternoon kayaking and snorkeling directly from your sailboat.  If you are anchored in two harbors hiking trails are easily accessible.

• Unique cultural attractions: The island has a rich history and unique cultural offerings, including the Catalina Island Museum and the Catalina Island Casino, a famous landmark that features a ballroom, movie theater, and museum.

• Recreational opportunities: Visitors can enjoy a range of recreational activities, such as golfing, fishing, parasailing, and zip-lining.  If you enoy eating as a recreational activity having a meal with a view of the ocean is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

• Family-friendly fun: Catalina Island offers a variety of activities that are perfect for families, such as glass-bottom boat tours, miniature golf, and a zipline eco-tour.

• Unique wildlife: The island is home to a variety of unique wildlife, such as the Catalina Island fox, which is found nowhere else in the world. Visitors can also spot dolphins, whales, and other marine life on a boat tour or while snorkeling.  However, the American Bison has a home on Catalina Island. The bison were brought to the island in the 1920s for the filming of a movie and were left there afterwards. Over time, their population grew and they have since become one of the island’s most iconic attractions. Today, visitors can see bison grazing in the interior of the island, and there are guided tours available that provide a closer look at these magnificent animals. The Catalina Island Conservancy manages the bison population and conducts regular health checks to ensure their well-being.

Have you ever wanted to try powerboating but weren’t sure which club was closest to you, or where to even start? Here at Blue Pacific Yachting, we’re your local experts on boating and sailing. With decades of experience under our belt here in the US powerboating community, we can provide you with the information you need to have an amazing boating and sailing experience.

Give good powerboating instructions.

Blue Pacific Yachting is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that provides quality powerboating lessons or instructions. We offer a range of courses to suit all levels of experience, from beginners to those looking to further their careers in the marine industry.

Highly qualified and experienced instructors.

All our instructors are highly qualified and experienced, with many years of teaching experience in their field. They have passed rigorous training and assessment processes and are dedicated to sharing their passion for boating with students.

Our Aim

Our aim is to provide you with the best learning experience possible so that you can enjoy your time on the water safely.

The people at Blue Pacific Yachting are professional and friendly.

Here is one of the reviews from our customers.

I have been working with Blue Pacific Yachting for about a year now, and I am very happy with the service that they provide. They are friendly and professional and are always ready to help.

I’ve also been impressed by their knowledge of all things related to yachts, from engines to rigging, cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. They have a good eye for detail and are always willing to help me out when I need them.

I highly recommend Blue Pacific Yachting! “

Blue Pacific Yachting can help you get the powerboat you want, teach you how to use it, insure it, and store it.

Blue Pacific Yachting can help you get the powerboat you want, teach you how to use it, insure it, and store it. We are dedicated to providing our customers with an enjoyable boating experience and offer a wide range of services, including:

Powerboat Sales & Rentals

We are a full-service boat dealership that specializes in the sale of new and used boats. We have a huge selection of new and used powerboats for sale and rent. Our selection includes fishing boats, ski boats, center consoles, personal watercraft (PWC), runabouts, and more. We stock all the major brands like Sea-Doo PWCs and Yamaha Jet Boats. We have a large inventory of both new and used boats for you to choose from. We have access to all the leading manufacturers. We also offer a wide selection of used accessories like radar units and electronics.

Watercraft Training and Certification

Whether you’re an experienced boater or just starting out in the world of boating, we offer courses designed to teach you everything from basic water safety to advanced navigation techniques. Our courses are taught by certified instructors who are committed to helping you achieve your goals on the water.

Marine Insurance

Blue Pacific Yachting offers competitively priced insurance for everything from pleasure boats to commercial vessels, including coverage for damage due to vandalism or theft. Whether your vessel is a weekend fishing boat or a commercial dive boat, we have an insurance plan that meets your needs at a price that won’t break the bank!

Our knowledgeable staff will help guide you through the entire process of purchasing your new or pre-owned boat, from start to finish. We take pride in our customer service, so we will always make sure you feel comfortable throughout every step of your transaction with us.

For those who already own a boat, we offer every type of marine insurance coverage available, including hull coverage (damage) as well as liability coverage (damage/injury). All policies are underwritten by highly rated insurance companies like Progressive Insurance or National General Insurance Company (NAIC).

Powerboating classes for any skill level.

Whether you’re just getting started or want to learn a new skill, Blue Pacific Yachting is here to help you take your next steps into the world of powerboating. We offer boating lessons for any level of experience, and our instructors will work with you step-by-step to make sure you get the most out of your time on the water.

Blue Pacific offers boating members an alternative to the traditional sailing experience. Boating enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of boating activities in a more relaxed, modern setting. Blue Pacific Yachting is proud to be a member of the Blue Ocean Network family of yacht clubs. Club members enjoy a network of marinas, ports, and destinations all over the world.

Blue Pacific Yachting

Proud to be LA’s premier boating destination in Marina Del Rey for over 30 years — Charter a Yacht, ASA Sailing / Powerboat School, Boating Club. Charter Sailboats, Rent a Powerboat, Learn to Sail, Learn Powerboating — or sail to Catalina with us.

Join the Club

BPY does reciprocity with other sailing clubs! It’s like a buddy/sister club system where if you’re a member at another sailing club, you might get membership discounts at BPY too. Talk to Ruth in the office — she’s very nice and helpful if you have any questions.If you have a story to share about Blue Pacific Yachting, please click a review platform icon below to tell your story —  or if you have something newsworthy for our blog, please feel free to reach out to us here.