FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Expedition Experiences

  • Koru is a very fast, 50’ performance catamaran with 4 cabins and 4 heads. She has crossed the Atlantic Ocean and has been to Hawaii and the Carribean. More details can be found in “about us”.

    Unique to Koru, you will have the chance to truly sail with varying sail plans, a rotating carbon fiber mast, and an extremely high hull-speed.

    Under sail or motor, she is also very fast. She often sails faster than the wind. This provides two distinct advantages. We can plan for far more nautical miles in a day even with light wind conditions, giving us range and flexibility few other catamarans have. Second, speed is often safety. We can move faster and further during long crossings and to avoid extreme weather and poor sea conditions.

  • Because this experience isn’t for everyone, we:

    • Ask you to submit an application

    • Meet with us via a call (video call is HIGHLY preferred) to answer questions and review any questions in your application

    • Upon acceptance, you’ll have 5 days to submit your $500 refundable deposit.

  • Koru Expeditions offers a unique, hands-on sailing experience that goes far beyond a typical cruise. This is the right adventure for those eager to step into the role of a working crew member, where each day is filled with opportunities to learn by doing. You’ll cook, clean, navigate, conduct maintenance, and actively participate in all aspects of life aboard, embracing the challenges and rewards that come with real ocean cruising.

    Koru Expeditions is the perfect fit for those who seek meaningful learning, are willing to embrace an adventurous spirit, and look forward to growing as a capable, independent sailor. If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply and embark on an unforgettable journey with us!

  • What We’re Looking For
    We’re excited to welcome expedition members who embody these qualities:

    • Eagerness to Learn and Positive Attitude
      Above all, we value a genuine curiosity, thoughtfulness, and a willingness to work together as a team. Respect, consideration, a sense of humor, and a commitment to the safety of the boat and crew make a significant impact on the overall experience.

    • Physical and Mental Fitness
      For everyone’s safety and comfort, we require appropriate physical and mental fitness, which we’ll discuss in detail during the application process. We’re here to address any specific questions to make sure you’re fully prepared.

    • Realistic Expectations
      This is not a luxury cruise—it’s a fully immersive, hands-on experience where you’ll play an active role in all daily duties, from cooking to sail repairs. Your experience will be defined by the camaraderie, learning, and teamwork that come from tackling real challenges.

    • Sailing Experience
      While prior sailing experience is beneficial, it’s not a barrier to joining Koru Expeditions. We’re prepared to help beginners build the foundational skills they’ll need, and some preparatory work may be required before setting sail.

  • Yes! Expedition sailing can be very demanding and could endanger yourself, the crew, or the vessel without appropriate physical and mental health. If you have concerns, reach out and we will discuss!

    As a crew member, you will be very active, will need good balance, enough strength to operate a winch and ability to go up and down stairs while the boat is in motion.

    In addition, watches could be up to 2 hours and endurance is critical to for everyone’s safety.

    We have found that exercising regularly prior to the expedition makes for a MUCH more comfortable experience. We partner closely with Bluewater Wellness for those wanting assistance.

  • As a crew member, you will assume the roles of navigator, mechanic, helmsperson, cook, and cleaning crew, including cleaning heads. In addition, you will spend 3-5 hours a day learning anything from sail repair to winch servicing to splicing and knot tying.

  • It depends. If you are brand-new to sailing I suggest taking an introductory course (which we offer) to ensure this is what you want to do.

    Ideally, you will have taken a coastal cruising class or have similar experience, the equivalent of ASA 104 (bareboat charter). However this is not a hard requirement.

    Far more important than sailing experience, we have found that your passion for learning, your ability to be a team player, and the desire get along with a wide variety of people is far more important. I have had great success with many who were new to sailing and have had challenges with experienced sailors that struggled to be a team player.

  • Watches are:

    • Always done with two crew at a time

    • Usually last 2 hours with alternating 30-min time “on the helm” - we do not lean on autopilot for a variety of reasons that we are happy to discuss with you.

    • Duties include:

      • Being on deck 15 min before your watch

      • Trimming Sails and navigating

      • Monitoring weather, AIS, Radar

      • Hourly log entries

  • Included, in addition to your berth on Koru, is:

    • All meals, snacks, and drinks served on Koru

    • All non-ASA coursework and instructional materials, including supplies for splicing, sail repair, whipping, etc.

    • All moorage, anchorage, and park admission fees

    Not included is:

    • meals on shore

    • ASA specific educational materials

    • trip cancellation insurance

  • Yes, but with limitations.

    Coverage will vary greatly depending on our location. On some legs there is virtually no internet or cell service and others services are fully available the entire time.

    We are equipped with Starlink and will offer internet access for one hour a day in locations where no other services are available.

  • For all legs, we insist on:

    • Arriving 24 hours prior to departure.

    • The evening before we will organize a meet and greet/safety briefing with all new crew members. This is mandatory and will cover topics like weather, itinerary updates, etc.

    • We will arrive at our final destination 24 hours before the final day and you will be able to stay on the boat until noon if you wish. We HIGHLY recommend staying one evening locally in most ports of call.

  • We operate on a “less is more” philosophy. Ideally, you will have one 60L soft bag and one 18L backpack…no more. A full seabag list will be provided and will vary based on geography. You will be providing your own bedding (sleeping bag, sheet, pillow case).

    • Your $500 refundable deposit secures your berth.

    • Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure and all payments become non-refundable.

  • We insist that you secure travel/trip insurance for just this reason.

    We recommend DAN travel insurance: https://danboater.org/travel-insurance/