Top Hat and Sails Frequently Asked Questions

For the safety of the crew, and the sailboat, the vessel must be in excellent mechanical condition with certain safety equipment present and able to perform their proper functions so it is able to safely handle the distance to be travelled. I will always provide a list of specific maintenance items that must be completed prior to departing.

Some insurance companies may have additional requirements so it's not a bad idea to check with them too.

Every trip is unique and has its own needs, and different insurance companies have different requirements. I give each customer a customized estimate based on their needs and the needs of their insurance company.

I am happy to include an owner on a delivery. If the owner is experienced, they can be part of the crew. If they are not experienced, we will still need a full crew, however, I will begin to teach the owner how to operate their vessel safely during the journey. Keep in mind the lessons during the delivery may or may not be enough time to give the owner all of the instruction they desire, depending on their goals.

Loosely speaking, we will deliver a boat from and to any port that it is safe to do so. Some considerations are hurricane season and any turmoil in the region. The most common ports inquired about are on the east and west coast of North America & Central America as well as the Caribbean.

Yes. The trip north to the West Coast of the United States along Baja California from as close as Turtle Bay (Bahia Tortuga), also known as the Baja Bash is not the most pleasant trip you (or I) can take in your sailboat, but yes I will deliver from Mexico, north to the coast of California, Oregon & Washington.

In 2024, I delivered a Leopard 42 catamaran from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to San Diego, California (yes through the Panama Canal). The trip took 66 days and went 5,209 nautical miles.

I offer two types of sailing lessons:

1. Private sailing instruction, on your vessel, is designed to have you focus in the specific areas you want to address. A common reason people hire me is that although they have been sailing for a few years, they recently acquired a boat that is very different from what they are used to operating (such as a larger sailboat or switching from monohulled to multihull or the other way around).
2. American Sailing Association (ASA) certifications are International recognized, so, as you progress through the courses you'll be able to sail throughout the world based on your certification. The ASA system has eight primary levels of student certification from basic all the way to advanced. (Often these can be aboard your vessel, privately, or in a group setting through a local ASA school that I am affiliated with)

Certification courses like ASA and US Sailing are fantastic, but they have their own goals, and those may not be your goals, so let's talk about your goals and get you on a path that meets them.

Absolutely, yes. If you don't want to wait to become proficient to go on a sailing trip, as long as there is a private cabin for me, (or proper accommodations for me, if it is a short day-trip), we can get provisions and shove off right away.

Also, yes, as long as there is a private cabin for me, (or proper accommodations for me, if it is a short day-trip).

I am a highly trained and experienced sailor who has been certified by the United States Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire. This means that I have met the highest standards of safety and seamanship, and that you can trust me to keep you and your sailboat safe on the water.