OffShore Sailing Passages
Cast off with Salty Coffee Sailing Expeditions!
We offer the opportunity to set sail into a wilderness of ocean with an experienced captain and seaworthy vessel to learn, explore, connect and make landfall on distant shores.
This experience is crafted for the explorer at heart and tailored to those who see the value in a challenge, possess a desire to learn and have a grand curiosity to experience life at sea.
Once you’ve stepped on board, you are a member of a small crew collaborating to successfully navigate a bluewater passage.
True Adventures
Our passages are true adventures, meaning there is always an element of the unknown. That is the nature of going to sea, and what keeps us coming back.
In order to safely handle your vessel offshore, you need knowledge in a myriad of topics from boat maintenance to meteorology to sail handling. More critically you need first-hand experience on the water.
Our passages give you the opportunity to build these skills under the supervision of a knowledgeable Captain and Mate, and leave you with a sense of confidence on the open ocean.
Experience Level
What if I have never been on a sailboat you ask?
Whether you are a seasoned old salt or a relative newbie to sailing we welcome everyone to apply.
What we are really looking for is enthusiastic individuals with a desire to learn. If you come with that attitude this will be the trip of a lifetime!
The Magic of an
Ocean Passage
Salty Coffee Sailing was founded on the desire to show more people the magic of an ocean passage. In this modern world, nothing will give you the opportunity to truly unplug and live in the present moment like an offshore voyage.
Come sailing with us aboard our bluewater vessel, Arbella, for an experience like no other. Although we have to warn you, this could be the beginning of a sailing addiction!
Offshore Passage Schedule
Check out our offshore passage schedule to find a trip that is right for you.
We will cover over 6000 miles this season, sailing from the Canadian Maritimes to the Caribbean.
Whether you are looking to gain serious offshore experience, or enjoy a winter escape in the Caribbean trades, we have a passage for every sailor!
Words
from
the sea
Salty Coffee Sailing is the real deal. They came highly recommended by a trusted off-shore sailor friend. At the time I signed up for their November passage from Newport, Rhode Island, to Bermuda, I had several hundred miles of coastal cruising experience under my belt and was looking to gain real offshore experience—and they delivered. As anyone familiar with the 2025 season in the North Atlantic will tell you, the weather was much more unsettled than predicted. We faced Force 10 conditions for over 24 hours (for those of you who follow sailor John Kretchmer’s “Captain’s Hour,” you may have heard fellow crew member Dr. Taylor Delgado describe the conditions). In the face of this extreme weather, Catherine and Tucker were capable, competent, and prioritized our safety as crew and the well-being of their little ship, Arbella. She is a well-found Skye that took the high winds and seas in stride. Despite the harrowing conditions, the trip was singularly spectacular. Tucker and Catherine were able and enthusiastic teachers. Tucker was intimately familiar with all of Arbella’s systems, as any competent captain should be, and he was able to troubleshoot inevitable problems as they arose with confidence, which, in turn, inspired confidence in us. Catherine, who has experience as a sailing teacher, maintained a calm, affirming style of communication that inspired trust. The passage was, as any good learning passage should be, very hands-on. In addition to offshore sail handling, we were actively involved in weather routing, heavy weather strategies, watch-keeping, and all other activities required to make a safe passage at sea. I can say with confidence that having completed a passage with Salty Coffee Sailing, I now feel as though I have the skills and experience to skipper offshore passages in my own boat. Perhaps more importantly, having weathered actual storms together with people who share the same passion for sailing, I now have new lifelong friends. Michael - Nova Scotia, CAN
Incredible experience! Tucker and Catherine are the embodiment of an offshore sailing expedition charter team. From the moment I first reached out, it was clear they were not only passionate about blue-water sailing and sharing its magic with others, but had also done the work and committed themselves to mastering the vast skill set required for passage making. Their sailing skills, leadership, and demeanor were certainly put to the test, as our “heavy weather passage” more than earned its moniker in what we affectionately nicknamed the “two-for-one gale special.” Through truly challenging conditions—during what turned out to be an intense weather season for anyone navigating the North Atlantic—Tucker and Catherine were unflappable, often relying on good humor, warm burritos, and muffins to keep our spirits high. It always seemed they were ready with a plan, and it was clear that both they and Arbella (our sure-footed boat) were well prepared for the passage and ready for the unexpected. They were equally attentive to my own learning path and comfort level, and I felt valued as an integral team member in managing Arbella and included in the decision-making process. If you want a true blue-water experience—one where you are an active crew member under a confident, capable, and affable captain and mate—look no further. Salty Coffee Sailing is the complete package. I would definitely go again and cannot recommend Salty Coffee Sailing highly enough. Taylor - Park City, UT
I have had the pleasure of sailing with Tucker and Catherine a few times in my life. In 2017 we took a 10 day cruise through the Channel Islands in California visiting Catalina, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa islands. This was one of the longest sailing trips I’ve ever done and it was an unforgettable experience. Without their insight and company on the boat I wouldn’t have felt comfortable undertaking sailing trips to such remote areas. They are truly professional sailors with the credentials to prove it. In addition to their expertise on sailing Tucker and Catherine are also great company! They make great conversation, are kind hearted people, and have an excellent sense of humor. I would highly recommend getting in touch with Tucker and Catherine if you are interested in learning more about sailing! It’s an amazing experience that you’ll never forget! Sam - Telluride, CO
Some of my most treasured memories are my sails with Catherine and Tucker. I've had the opportunity to sail with them in Cape Cod, the warm waters of Miami, and the crystal blue sea of the Bahamas. I always feel so at ease in their care. What truly sets Salty Coffee Sailing Expeditions apart is their unmatched expertise and passion for sailing. From the moment you step aboard, it's evident that you're in the hands of seasoned professionals who not only know the ins and outs of sailing but are also deeply knowledgeable about the ocean and its wonders. I can't wait to get back on the boat with Salty Coffee. My sails with them allow me to step away from my day-to-day life and gain perspective of who I am by reconnecting with nature in its purest form. It is the best medicine. I cannot recommend them highly enough for anyone seeking an unparalleled sailing adventure. Elizabeth - San Fransisco, CA
Plans were quickly made, flights adjusted, and booked. I landed on an island hopper in the late afternoon. The town was a quick taxi ride from the landing strip and they met me and we had a beer, fried conk and hopped their tender out into the harbor. All adventures should start this auspiciously. Catherine and Tucker were immaculate hosts and I was very comfortable, we all pitched in on the various duties of life aboard, and the week flew. We sailed northeast across the tropic of cancer to a more remote string of islands. Tucker pole speared fish and made ceviche, almost everyday. I can't wait to get out with them again, maybe I will see you there! Christian - Los Angeles, CA
I had been following Catherine and Tucker's sailing adventures for years when I finally had the opportunity to join them for a trip in the US Virgin Islands in January of 2021. I flew to St Croix to meet them on their sailboat. It was glorious. Catherine and Tucker are expert sailors and watermen. I felt completely safe with them on the water. I can't wait to get back out there with them. Caroline - Park City, UT
The Story Behind
Salty Coffee Sailing
You might ask, why Salty Coffee? What in the world does that have to do with sailing? Are these people caffeine crazed or salt fiends?
For us it goes back to the first summer we lived on a cruising boat in Cape Cod. We were sailing back to our homeport in the early morning in what a sailor might call “uncomfortable” conditions: beating into 20 knots with a short steep sea. As we both tried to drink our coffee in the cockpit, wave after wave of spray shot into our faces and our coffee. Surprisingly, it was the most fun we had all summer and the experience that really sticks with us from those early years learning to sail.
Salty Coffee came to symbolize those situations when life gets challenging, but you also feel completely alive and present in the moment. A lot of ocean sailing is challenging, but with the right attitude (and a tasty cup of Joe) it is just what the soul needs in this modern world!
"The next morning we headed back home in gusty winds and heavy seas and it was glorious. Every moment I was so sure I was in the right place at the right time, even when the head became leaky. Saltwater was splashing in our faces and into our coffee as I was still reeling from the past few days of sunshine, sailing and the intensity of the moment."
Vagabundo Logbook, July 2016