Florida Yacht Charters & Sales, Inc. is pleased to announce an off shore sailing training passage to be led by professional sailor and author, John Kretschmer. Join Kretschmer and his team for a one week passage from Miami to the Dry Tortugas and back. The expedition will take place from April 10-17. If you are dreaming of blue water sailing and long term cruising, this is an ideal opportunity to sharpen your skills and acquire a genuine taste of open ocean sailing. It is important to realize that this passage is the real deal; you will reef the main when it’s blowing hard, navigate when it really counts, and be depended upon to stand watch and pull your weight. You will also have a great time. Florida Yachts has assigned three outstanding boats for the expedition, a Jeanneau 49DS, a Hunter 49 and Fountaine Pajot Belize 43’ catamaran.

The schedule will include a day ashore, at the Florida Yacht offices at the Miami Beach Marina; introducing the basics of offshore navigation, route planning, weather forecasting, heavy weather sailing and other skills essential for aspiring blue water sailors.

Then we’ll board the boats and sail into Biscayne Bay and anchor for the night. The next morning, you will head into the Atlantic and turn south. The route will take the crews from Miami to Key West. This 150 mile passage beyond the reef, is typically 20-24 hour passage, so each crew member will stand at least one watch, and possibly two. Arrival mid morning at the Florida Yachts dock in Key West. The crews will be free to make their way into town, or to just relax aboard. A dockside party is on tap for that evening. The next morning we’ll make a leisurely sail to the Marquesas Cays, an uninhabited waypoint on the way to the Dry Tortugas. The next morning you will rise with the sun and set off for a long day sail to Garden Key, the site of Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.

This is one of the best anchorages in America, isolated, beautiful, historical, truly a great place to visit. You will arrive just before dark and anchor in the harbor. The next day you will explore the fort, snorkel, rest and recuperate. Just before darkness, the three boats will head back to sea and begin 250 mile nonstop, off shore passage back to Miami Beach. You will ride the Gulf Stream for 36 hours, standing watch and experience the magic of deep water sailing. This is a genuine passage. You will arrive back at the dock early on April 17.