Marine Servicenter

General information

Welcome to Sail Alaska!
“Sail Alaska” is a 2,500 mile, 12-week cruising educational program for boaters of all levels of experience with both sail and power. The trip is designed to give captain and crew a taste of long-distance cruising and the basics of self-sufficiency in a very real environment, surrounded by like minded people to share with and learn from.
“Sail Alaska” attendees benefit from the guidance of Jim Rard, owner of Marine Servicenter located in Anacortes and Seattle, Washington. Rard encompasses many large tails of the sea, brings humor, charm, 50 years and hundreds of thousands of miles of boating experience. Working alongside mechanics and electricians from the boat yard, participants acquire hands on experience on boat systems and preparation, but most importantly….what to do if things don’t go as planned.
Each night will be a briefing on what to expect the next day with time for discussion and questions. Attendees of “Sail Alaska,” also receive instruction on navigating the extreme tides, strong currents, and other challenges presented by Alaska’s coastal waters, as well as how to use currents and back eddies to make the cruise easier and safer. Of course, amongst all the learning there will be plenty of time to relax, go hiking, kayaking, fishing and experience spectacular Alaska! Friendships will be made and many stories told over firelight.
At the end of the tour, boaters will know where and how to anchor, how to decide what time of day passages should be avoided or traversed, and lessons not offered by the average boating course (how to avoid grizzly bears, build a pizza oven out of shore rock, and the basics of smoking salmon). They will also possess an adventurous tail of a flotilla from Anacortes to Alaska and back.