As soon as sweater weather arrives and our boats in the northeast are put to bed for the season, we start dreaming of a way to escape to the tropics to sail, explore, and maybe even learn a thing or two. 

If you share our dream, we’re pleased to announce that Dave & Jonathan are once again running their island-hopping American Sailing 104 Bareboat Cruising class/vacation in the British Virgin Islands!

Join the trip that one well-traveled student called the best trip she’d ever experienced.
 

WHEN - Saturday, January 30-February 6, 2027

WHERE - Your sailing yacht will depart from and return to Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI). 

OPERATOR - OMC Endeavors, LLC (owned by Jonathan Horvath and Dave Polakoff).

INSTRUCTORS - 

• New York City Classroom – Jonathan Horvath and David Polakoff
• BVI – David Polakoff and a professional skipper and American Sailing Association instructor with Horizon Yacht Charters, the outfit we charter our sailing yachts from for the week. We’re very excited about this—they know these cruising grounds like their backyard, because it is! 

PREREQUISITE -To complete the 104 certification, students must have already completed American Sailing 103 – Basic Coastal Cruising. 

PRICE - A 30% NON-REFUNDABLE* DEPOSIT is DUE upon registration.

• $3,050 per person is for one berth in shared cabin. If you would like to attend solo, and be matched to share a cabin, you will be placed on a standby list until you are matched.
• $5,675 per person in a Double Berth (attending solo with a cabin to yourself). 

Both listed prices are for payments made via credit card. There is a 3% (approx) discount for check/cash/electronic transfer payments. If you wish to use non U.S. currency for payment, please contact us. F

WHAT'S INCLUDED - 

• Sailboat and dinghy fuel 
• Food**
• Linens and bath towels
• Cruising, park permit, & mooring ball fees 
• Ice delivery and trash removal while anchored/moored
• For 104 students: 104 instruction, materials, exam & certification 

** Your food aboard is included (7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, and 5 Dinners). There is no chef aboard—each vessel decides how they would like to share the food preparation. Part of the week is learning boat operations (cooking, cleaning, and sailing) in a fun, safe, and collaborative manner. 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED - 

• Transportation to/from the boat in the BVI, including arrival/departure taxes/fees
• Alcohol 
• Your specialty food items that are in limited supply or unavailable in the BVI
• Shoreside food/beverage
• Snorkel gear (available for rent at the charter base)
• Instructor/captain gratuity

FLIGHTS - 

Please contact Jonathan and Dave at info@omcendeavors.com BEFORE booking travel. It is strongly recommended that travel be booked on a refundable/changeable basis with travel provider(s). NOTE: Both entry to the BVI and reentry to the USA require presentation of a passport; please be sure your passport will be valid and current through the dates of the trip.
 

THE BOATS - We will be aboard modern, well-equipped monohull sailing yachts, with cabins that accommodate up to two-persons, shared heads, a full galley, etc.  

THE VIBE - This trip is all about having fun, while safely, respectfully, and responsibly sailing in the BVI. It is also about a collaborative effort. You will participate in the creation of the schedule and divide the galley duties, sailing, cleaning, and other chores and responsibilities. This is truly a once in a lifetime trip. Well, until next year…

* All payments are non-refundable unless another sailor can be found to take your place. 

More sailing, more relaxing, more advanced learning for seasoned American Sailing 104 veterans, with the opportunity to achieve your American Sailing 111 certificate! 

It's totally turnkey—We charter the boats, find fellow sailors, and order the provisions.  With the Alumni Trip, just book it, and show up.

WHEN - February 6-February 13, 2027

DETAILS - Pricing and what's included is the same as 104, 

but with more fun & flexibility! 

• Your sailing goals vary, and may change over time – 
  • You may aspire to skipper your own bareboat trip; 
  • You may want to bareboat, but without all the planning and responsibility; 
  • You may desire to gain more experience and hone specific skills.  

No matter the goal, Alumni Week is for you!

• Your input will help create the week’s itinerary and curriculum*, including:
  • Itinerary planning
  • Navigation/chart plotting
  • Anchoring
  • Docking (conditions permitting)
  • VHF operation and practical use
  • Your instructors/skippers “stepping back” so you can participate in decision-making (e.g., right of way; weather planning; sail trim; daily sailing/motoring and timing; timing of meal preparation)
    • “Skipper for a Day” – Attendees volunteer to be “in charge” for the day.
• Daytime/nightly stops may vary from our customary stops. With your input, we want to return to some stops and also add new ones, especially those that help achieve our goals (e.g., more anchoring). Our itinerary needs to be practical (wind direction; short/long sails; timely return to Nanny Cay Marina) and still balance “lively” vs. “tranquil” stops.

At the conclusion of the trip, you will achieve your American Sailing 111 certificate (see American Sailing description, below). Note there is not an American Sailing 111 textbook nor exam (though we may suggest utilizing certain resources, including American Sailing 101, 103, and 104 textbooks to access and review).