Sailing & Boat Life Training Experience

A 7-day immersive experience preparing you for full-time living on a sailing catamaran

The Training.

  • Sailing

    When boat life is just an idea the thought of learning to sail can be overwhelming. After Brandon shows you the ropes (or lines) of sailing, you’ll realize if HE can do it, anyone can! We’ll cover sail trimming, tacking, reefing, sailable angles, sail types, and terminology. When you’re finished you’ll be able to confidently harness the wind to move a floating home!

  • Weather & Passage Planning

    You’ll learn how to plan a passage and how to pick the best weather window. We’ll take a deep-dive into the apps we use out here including those for weather, anchoring, charting and more. You’ll leave knowing exactly which apps you’ll need, and how to use them on a phone, iPad, and chartplotter. This will save you a lot of precious time and frustration.

  • Navigation

    Driving on the open sea is much different from the open roads. We’ll cover all you need to know to safely navigate out on the water. You’ll learn about buoy markers, navigation lights/colors, stand on vs. give-way vessel, rules of the road, fish traps, etc. We’ll cover eye sight navigation and instrument navigation, including digital charts and radar.

  • Boat Maintenance

    Aww…there’s just nothing like fixing a boat in tropical locations. Especially when you know how to fix it! Boat maintenance is hands down the biggest challenge of full time cruising. We’ll cover everything you need to know to keep you out there…oil changes (engine and generator), belt changes, sail drive/gear oil, impeller changes, and the most common issues, etc.

  • Anchoring & Mooring

    Like backing in a trailer, this is the thing that can either get you “lucky” or get you divorced. Anchoring and mooring can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Think of me as your couples counselor, giving you the tools you need to keep the heat in your bedroom and not on the bow. After we drop the hook, get ready to learn how to dive the anchor!

  • Provisioning & Cooking

    The only thing you will do on your boat more than fix it…is eat! So, it is important that you get to experience the full scope of provisioning and cooking on the boat. We will do all of that together. Remember, this is a boat life training experience…it’s not a charter. We won’t have a Michillan star chef on board (unless you are one)! We’ll work together and gain experience in the galley.

  • Into the Darkness

    Yep! What happens in the light must also happen in the dark. Under the cover of the moon-lit night, we will work on: navigating, anchoring, mooring, and sometimes we’ll even dive the anchor with a flashlight. You will gain experience and comfortability in the dark, BEFORE inviting your family aboard. You will feel equipped whether it’s day or night!

  • And more!

    Additionally, we’ll cover docking, safety & man overboard drills, VHF & EPIRB procedures, potential routes for your family, country clearance procedures, and discussions about the right boat for YOU. You get 7 days worth of invaluable conversations with an experienced cruiser/sailor who is networked into the marine industry and the catamaran market.

“Boat life cannot be defined or taught…it has to be experienced.”

The Experience.

  • Boat Life

    Learning boat life is so much more than simply learning how to sail. It’s an all-encompassing way of life that is completely different than the one you have lived on land. From sunrise to sunset, to while you’re sleeping, every moment will be prepping you for a life on the water. Investing in gaining experience now, will set you and your family up for success later!

  • The World Beneath

    If you’re going to live on a boat, then you need to get comfortable IN the ocean…snorkeling, free diving, spearfishing & lobstering (where legal) and jumping off the boat. We will help you to conquer any fears you may have so that you are ready for a life lived on the ocean. Brandon and Hudson are very comfortable in the water, and are confident that after a week together, you will be too!

  • The Boat

    We invite you to step aboard our home, and make it yours for a full week. The Lagoon 450F is the most popular cruising catamaran on the water, and could likely be on your shortlist of boats to buy. Your time onboard a properly fitted blue water sailing cat, like SV Everyday Saturday, will give you invaluable tools and the knowledge needed to take the helm of your own vessel.

  • The Crew

    I (Brandon) will be your captain and your guide as we navigate our way through the waters of boat life together. My 1st Mate, and son, Hudson, will be here to assist along the way. Don’t let his age of 13 years fool you…Hudson is no greenhorn! He’s a capable sailor, deck hand, and experienced “boat kid”; Hudson has more than 10,000 nautical miles on his man-child sea legs.

The Warning.

  • Community will be built

    To experience boat life, is to experience community! There is nothing like our fellow sailors out here.

  • Fun will be had

    If you’re not coming ready to have some fun, you are respectfully uninvited. For Brandon, nothing exists without fun.

  • The chill button will be pressed

    Brandon’s process is simple: work hard, play hard, chill harder. Boat life IS exhausting so naps may commence at any time.

But why?

“If I had 7 days living and learning on a similar sized properly outfitted sailing cat…our first year would have been much easier.” -brandon

Once upon a time, I grew up on a farm in the landlocked state of Idaho. I had never sailed a day in my life! Then, fast forward to when we decided to buy a sailboat. I had no idea where to start. So, I did what most people do, I spent nearly $4,000 on 5 days of ASA courses (101, 103, 104, 114). What did I learn from that? I learned that I spent one of those days learning all of the correct terminology for the anatomy of a sailboat in order to pass a test for a private certification (ASA101). Here’s a secret: in three years nobody has asked me for this certification (not even insurance). It was 6-8 hours per day, split between book-work and sailing (mostly on a 26ft monohull), and of that time, I only got to sleep on a boat for one night. That night was the actual highlight of the entire training! The whole experience left me feeling anxious about taking the helm of my own vessel someday. I was not ready!

Fast forward again. We bought a vessel we had no business buying, with the level of experience we had. It was big, complicated, and overwhelming. If I had 7 days of living and learning on a similar sized, properly equipped sailing cat…our first year would have been much easier, much less stressful, and WAY more enjoyable. Jumping in with little to no experience is actually dangerous, and can cause traumatic experiences for you and your crew (ask me how I know when you get here). Not to mention…if you’re considering this lifestyle, then you are considering spending A LOT of money on a boat. If you spend a tiny fraction of that on a practical and immersive training experience, it will be peanuts compared to what you’ll gain in terms of overall impact for you and your crew!

What they say.

“From the moment we arrived we felt so welcome. Hudson and Brandon made sure we felt at home in their home. They’re both hilarious, friendly, and fun company. It was so fun to be on the ocean learning how to sail and experiencing living on a catamaran for a week! It’s a whole other world out there. The community is genuine and helpful. The ocean puts things into perspective and makes you grateful for all the little things. It was heaven and helped solidify that we want our own boat someday!”

Jeremy & Taylor

“Everyday Saturday’s sailing and boat life experience was an answer to our prayers. Sitting up late at night talking about how we could get on the water and experience boat life in a relaxed, personal, yet impactful way. Everyday Saturday provided us with everything and more that we were looking for! Wonderful people, valuable experience, and tremendous hospitality! We loved every minute of our experience and it has prepared us for our next steps of getting our family on the water. Thank you Everyday Saturday!”

The Wisdoms

“We had an amazing week on Brandon’s boat. My husband learned to sail while I focused on perfecting my tan, drinking Carib, and sampling all the snacks. Brandon made us feel at home instantly with his beautiful boat, incredible knowledge, and easygoing vibe. Whether we were gliding through calm seas or navigating the 14 hour passage we successfully tackled, he kept things fun and engaging. If you're looking for a trip where you can learn a lot, chill, and have a blast doing it, Brandon’s the captain you need!”

RJ & Jennifer

Availability

All experiences are for 6 nights/7 days. We are currently filling 2025 bookings for:

  • Feb 14-20 (booked)

  • Feb 22-28

  • March 2-8

The Particulars:

Pricing Info: The one couple price is the minimum fee whether you come solo or as a couple (2 people). The two-couples-option is a great way to spread the costs if you know another couple who are also interested in learning boat life/sailing. (We won’t double book your experience with a couple you do not know.)

Kids: Because this experience is very training-focused it is adults only. If you are wanting a boat life vacation experience with your kids, a normal yacht charter would be the way to go. However, if you have a capable teenager that is eager and willing to learn, we can discuss. Add $1500 for each additional person approved.

What’s included: All food and accommodations on board SV Everyday Saturday. Some alcohol. Does not include eating out if we decide to hit a restaurant. We can help with taxi arrangements to/from the boat if needed but you are responsible for taxi fees.

Alcohol: Yes, but to a reasonable point. Remember, this is a training experience, and not a spring break trip! We can consume responsibly, and socially. Sundowners are an essential part of boat life! Brandon withholds the right to lock the medicine cabinet at any time.

Location: Exuma Islands, Bahamas! There is literally no better place to learn and experience the realities of boat life. With some of the clearest turquoise waters in the world, you’ll have a balance of learning and fun in this incredible remote paradise. You’ll fly in/out of either George Town, Exumas or Staniel Cay, Exumas (we’ll let you know). However, each experience & route will be tailored to your experience level and the weather conditions.

Payment: 50% due at time of booking. Remaining 50% due three weeks before your experience. Add 3% for credit card payments.

Cancellations & Refunds: If we have to cancel due to severe weather or any other unforeseen circumstances on our end, you’ll be refunded in full. If you have to cancel:

  • Booking date through 3 weeks prior from arrival date = 25% refund of deposit

  • Cancelling within 3 weeks of arrival date = deposit not refundable

We are not responsible for flight cancellation/change fees or costs. We highly recommend paying a little extra for cancellable/changeable flights.

Gratuity: While gratuities are never expected, they are greatly appreciated by the crew if you feel your experience was exceptional.

Boat Life Coaching

The training doesn’t have to end when you step off our boat! Let us (Brandon & Amber) walk with you through your boat buying story. We'll guide you through finding the right boat, navigating the purchase process, outfitting/refitting the boat, provisioning help, and more. The transition from land life to boat life is hard, emotional, and comes with a steep learning curve that many don’t make it over. We'll undoubtedly help make this huge transition for your family a smooth one. We'll save you money and help you avoid massive mistakes to make the entire process the best experience.

6 months - $5,000

You’re feeling out of your comfort zone here. You need more help and more time with more of the process. We’ll walk alongside you through whatever phase you’re in and whatever you need.

3 months - $3,000

This is a great option if you just need help for a few months with either the purchase process, the transition, moving aboard, and/or navigating your first few months out on the water.

1 year - $10,000

The one year option keeps us connected through it all! From the purchase, to the refit/upgrades, moving aboard, settling in, even weather & passage planning as you learn and gain the miles.

How we’ll connect:

  • Weekly 1hr-ish scheduled video meeting with Amber and/or Brandon

  • Email support with a max 24hrs response commitment (unless we are on passage)

Application Form.

Fill out the form and we’ll get in touch with next steps!

Dates are locked in when deposits are received.