What is the Expedition Experience?

We are HANDS ON Instruction Providers

We believe the best way to master sailing is to do it. Every skill we teach is hands-on, ensuring that you not only learn but practice each essential task in a real-world setting. Our instruction is further enriched by the renowned sailing expertise of John Neal, whose materials are based on 35 years of offshore sailing experience.

With John’s guidance, we incorporate his instructional content, covering topics like storm-handling techniques, provisioning, engine maintenance and repair, and much more. Here are some examples of what you’ll master:

  • Sail Repair
    Learn how to make critical sail repairs at sea, ensuring you're always prepared to adapt to changing conditions.

  • Whipping and Splicing Lines
    Perfect the art of line whipping and splicing, skills that enhance both safety and functionality on board.

  • Servicing Winches
    Discover the intricacies of winch maintenance to keep your equipment in top working order.

  • Power Management and Current Measurements
    Master power management with calculations and current measurements, learning to balance power consumption and optimize onboard systems.

  • Paper Charting and Electronic Navigation
    Gain confidence in both paper chart navigation and translating that knowledge to electronic systems, creating a reliable navigation plan.

  • Sextant Use
    Experience the timeless art of celestial navigation, using a sextant to plot your position without reliance on modern technology.

  • Radar Navigation and Limited Visibility Techniques
    Practice using radar for safe navigation, even in challenging conditions like fog and nightfall, to ensure you're ready for any scenario.

  • Engine Checks and Basic Maintenance
    Build confidence with engine checks and essential maintenance, skills that keep your vessel in prime condition.

  • Going Aloft and Rigging Inspections
    Learn to safely go aloft and perform rigging inspections, adding a critical layer of safety for you and your crew.

  • Setting a Crew Overboard (COB) Trailing Line and Alarm
    Learn COB procedures hands-on, setting up a trailing line with an alarm system to respond efficiently in emergency situations.

  • Deploying a Drogue
    Practice the deployment of a drogue, a key technique for managing boat speed and handling heavy weather conditions.

A Typical Day…

The night before, we’ll gather to review the navigational plan, weather forecast, tides, and currents, along with the ideal time to lift anchor. This preparation sets the stage for an immersive, hands-on experience where you take on the role of crew.

As morning dawns, we prepare fresh-roasted coffee, and the designated cooks craft a nutritious breakfast, following the menu or getting creative as they wish. Each person on board takes on specific responsibilities for the day, rotating through essential roles like mechanic, navigator, and cook. The mechanic performs critical systems checks—monitoring oil, fuel, water, and power levels and inspecting the rigging. The navigator reviews the day’s route and checks updated weather reports, while the cleaning crew tidies Koru, ensuring a fresh start as we prepare to set sail.

After breakfast, we’re ready to pull anchor, with Koru prepped and shipshape thanks to our collective efforts. We log the first entry of the day and begin watch rotations so everyone experiences time at the helm, with hands-on learning from the start. As we sail, there’s a chance to spot orcas or humpback whales, and if conditions are right, we might try trolling for salmon or tuna, adding to the sense of discovery.

Lunch is often a mix of fresh snacks, proteins, or even last night’s leftovers, enjoyed as we continue our adventure. We may pause midday to explore a unique cultural site or local landmark before making our way to our next anchorage for the evening.

Throughout the day, learning-by-doing remains at the core of each activity. While on the water, you’ll practice radar and AIS navigation, gain experience with sextant usage, or learn to deploy a drogue as we discuss storm-handling techniques. When anchored, hands-on instruction continues with tasks like winch maintenance or sail repair—whether by hand or with our Sailrite machine—offering valuable skills that deepen your confidence and understanding.

As evening approaches, we conduct our anchoring ceremony, a shared moment to reflect and celebrate the day’s journey. With the tender, we may explore the shore, go fishing, or set crab or shrimp pots, immersing ourselves in the local environment. Then, our designated cooks begin preparing a fresh, locally inspired meal—possibly featuring fish caught that day or crabs we’ve brought up from the water, served alongside grilled vegetables and other regional ingredients.

At nightfall, we gather over a final snack, like truffle popcorn, to review the day’s achievements, answer questions, and discuss the plans for tomorrow. The navigator consults the tides and currents to plot the next course, rounding out an active day of exploration and growth on the water.

What This Isn’t…

Koru Expeditions is not a fully catered, luxury cruise. This is an immersive, hands-on learning experience where you’ll be actively involved in all aspects of life aboard—cooking, cleaning, daily classes, and much more.

Expect to face real conditions on the water, from challenging weather to the occasional discomfort. Part of your journey with us is learning how to handle these situations, building the skills and resilience that define a capable, independent sailor.

This is a working vessel, where things can—and sometimes will—break. While we maintain a rigorous maintenance program, the sea often brings the unexpected. You’ll have the unique opportunity to take part in essential repairs, working with systems ranging from sails and rigging to engines, electrical systems, and sanitation. This is your chance to gain practical skills that prepare you for whatever the ocean brings.

Sea state, weather conditions, and other external factors may alter what we are able to teach. Safety for crew and vessel are our primary concerns.

What You Will Learn

✔︎ The essence of the experience is to provide you with a taste of what it is like to experience the cruising life and to build confidence in your independence.

✔︎ We will conduct daily classes and activities with an average of 1-3 hours in duration. While there will be some lectures to allow you to form a foundation, the vast majority of our education will be spent “doing”.

✔︎ We will create watch rotations, plan and prepare for overnight cruising and work with tethers and high lifelines.

✔︎ We will repair a sail both by hand and with a Sailrite sewing machine

✔︎ Beyond knots, we will whip and splice lines.  And yes, we will practice knots as well.

✔︎ We will open a winch and perform basic service

✔︎ We will create a power management plan based on actual measurements

✔︎ We will use paper charts to do basic and advanced navigation, including using a bearing compass to determine our position (when we are in sight of land).

✔︎ We will use a sextant to determine our position, especially when we are not in sight of land.

✔︎ We will practice using a Radar to prepare for limited visibility situations (fog, night)

✔︎ We will perform basic system checks (engine, saildrive, standing and running rigging, watermaker, etc) and create a maintenance plan.

✔︎ We will go aloft to perform rigging checks

✔︎ We will set a COB line with an alarm

✔︎ We will set a drogue and discuss storm handling techniques

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

  • We had an amazing trip around Haida Gwaii with Captain Ken and Renée, on their catamaran, Koru. I have done a fair amount of sailing but I have never have I encountered such a rich abundance of wild life and nature. From countless whales, fish, marine birds, cultural sites, and hot springs, all which made the Haida Guaii area unforgettable.  Ken and Renée’s positive energy created a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere, while Ken’s calm and expert guidance ensured we always felt safe and secure.  I learned a lot during this trip and it was such an incredible sailing trip. I would definitely like to go on another adventure with Ken and Renee on Koru.

    Molly C., Victoria, B.C.

  • I highly recommend Captain Ken.  I am an experienced skipper and sailboat owner so my standards are high.  Captain Ken exceeded my standards on a phenomenal sailing trip around Haida Gwaii off the Northwest Coast of British Columbia.  He is knowledgeable, very safety conscious and an excellent instructor and guide.  He covered all the basics in terms of managing the fierce currents, winds and high tides around the islands and then he went out of his way to provide very memorable cultural experiences and explorations.  The ancient Haida village sites with totem poles and the visits to Gandl Kin Gway.ay (Hot Springs Island) were lifetime highlights but he also went out of his way to provide memorable fishing, swimming, kayaking, whale watching and exploring opportunities.  I highly recommend sailing with him on Koru.

    Murray B., Victoria, B.C.

  • I found Ken to be a very thoughtful, knowledgeable and skilled instructor for our seven day Learn-N-Cruise sailing experience covering ASA 101, 103, and 104 content. While each member of our crew came from different boating backgrounds, Ken quickly learned what each of us needed to successfully progress through the course content while providing timely individual coaching to match each person's learning style. Ken excelled at communicating the how and why of the different skills being learned, followed by constant hands on practice. His knowledge of boat systems, weather patterns, boat handling characteristics (both at sea and in close quarters) and safety procedures were outstanding. In addition, Ken is an excellent cook and made the seven day experience even more enjoyable as he often volunteered to create delicious evening meals. Overall, I found the experience organized by Ken to be highly engaging and a tremendous opportunity to learn how to sail more confidently. 

    Shaun N, Vancouver BC

  • I was fortunate to sail with Ken on Naria Grey for a day sail and was hooked on his teaching style.  I had some sailing experience, and Ken was at ease letting me experiment with sail trim.  If I asked, “what will happen”, Ken said, “let’s do it and find out”.  I also hired Ken for some private docking instruction on a new to me 42ft monohull.  His tips and tricks for successful single and double handed docking are proving to be invaluable. I spent 8 days on Koru and was delighted with the experience.  We were a small group that shared some big experiences that included navigating challenging rapids, selecting secluded anchorages, fishing for breakfast, transiting in dense fog, and some forest time with a beautiful lake swim.  Ken has a very calm demeanor and was always willing to answer any question, concisely explain the situation, and share his vast knowledge – in many instances with hands-on opportunities to apply.  I appreciated the daily briefing where we discussed weather, tides/currents, destination, activities, and roles/responsibilities – it was truly teamwork.  I highly recommend joining Koru for an expedition, I had an amazing experience.

    Sara H, Tacoma, WA

  • We had the privilege of sailing on Koru with Captain Ken and Renee in Haida Gwaii this past August.  What an amazing experience!  Ken and Renee are not only warm and welcoming, but also have the sense of humor necessary for successfully spending a lot of time in close quarters.  They are extremely competent and knowledgeable sailors.  Ken's patience and communication skills make him a very effective teacher.  They are both easy going yet have very high standards for themselves and others.  They are extremely safety conscious and we always felt at ease though we were often in very secluded areas.   Haida Gwaii is an absolute treasure. We were wowed by the scenery, wildlife and great fishing.  Sailing with Ken and Renee in Haida Gwaii is a rare opportunity to experience an area that few others get to.  We are greatly looking forward to our next adventure with them!

    Adria E, Albany, NY

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