Featured Sailing School: Blue Pacific Yachting [In the News]

If learning to sail in Los Angeles is on your to-do list you can be sure that Blue Pacific Yachting can get you out on the water. Blue Pacific Yachting is located in Marina Del Rey, California and they offer a full slate of ASA courses.  Sail Santa Monica Bay or join one of their destination charters. 

This article was featured by the American Sailing Association in May 2022 and was written by Zeke Quezada.

Where They Sail

Blue Pacific Yachting sailing destinations include Marina del Rey, Malibu, Palos Verdes, Catalina Island, and the Channel Islands. January through March is an ideal time to see migrating gray whales along the California coast, with whales traveling both northward and southward. Dolphin sightings are very common year-round as well from Marina del Rey to Catalina Island. With an average high of 66 – 80 degrees, we’re an idea sailing destination 12 months a year. The Marina del Rey marina is North America’s largest man-made small-craft harbor and is home to approximately 5,000 boats.

What They Teach

Blue Pacific Yachting offers ASA 101, 103, 104, 114, and 118 courses. We also offer RPBA (ASA certified powerboating courses) as well. We offer group courses, private courses, custom training, company events, team building events, multi-day courses to Catalina Island and the Channel Islands, family courses (adults + kids), spinnaker training, and intro to racing courses. Lastly, we also hold instructor level training: 201, 203, 204, 214, and 218.

Meet Their Instructors

Blue Pacific Yachting is lucky to have some of the best instructors in the industry.  We have a great variety of new and long-term instructors (10+ years!), some that spend half of the year living on their own boats in Mexico, and they all have a wealth of information to share with their students. Here are a few:

Captain James – US Naval Academy Instructor, Certified Marine Electrician, Certified Diesel Engine Mechanic, USCG Master License with Auxiliary Sail, 25 Ton. Certified to teach ASA 101, 103, 104, 114, 118. James’ diverse experience, accomplishments and education provide relevant resources to further his passion for the promotion and safety of the Yacht community and industry. When not teaching, you can find James cruising or racing his Wauquiez Centurion 40S.

Captain Greg – USCG 50 Ton Captain’s License with Sailing Endorsement. Certified to teach ASA 101, 103, 104. Greg has owned and skippered a variety of boats over the years culminating with SCOUT, a Jeanneau SO 52.2 which has been his home for the last eleven years while cruising the West Coast of Mexico and the Sea of Cortzs from November to June. He returns to Marina del Rey for the summer and fall.  

Captain Frank – USCG 50 Ton Captain’s License with Sailing Endorsement. Certified to teach ASA 101, 103, 104, 105 & 114. Frank started his career flying first as a US Navy Helicopter pilot, then a TWA MD-80 and now he is a freelance Captain on a 767. Frank has sailed all over the world and currently owns a Lagoon 38 in La Paz, Mexico. 

Captain Fran – USCG 50 Ton Captain’s License with Sailing Endorsement. Certified to teach ASA 101, 103, 104, 110, 114. Fran volunteers as a sailing instructor for the Boy & Girls Club (summer and after school sailing programs) and for the Women’s Sailing Association. She is also an avid racer, conducts boat deliveries along the west coast and into Mexico, and has won the David Poe Service Award from the Association of Santa Monica Bay Yacht Clubs (ASMBYC). The award is presented for outstanding contributions of time and/or talent to yachting beyond the recipient’s normal obligation.

Their Programs

Blue Pacific Yachting offers ASA 101, 103, 104, 114, 118 courses. We also offer RPBA (ASA certified powerboating courses) as well. We offer group courses, private courses, custom training, company events, team building events, multi-day courses to Catalina Island and the Channel Islands, family courses (adults + kids), spinnaker training, an intro to racing courses.  Lastly, we also hold instructor-level training: 201, 203, 204, 214, and 218.

Their Story

What makes Blue Pacific Yachting special is that we have the best reputation in Marina del Rey in regards to our vessels (mechanically and aesthetically), customer service, and professionalism. We are the only school in the marina with a 5-star rating on Yelp. We are detailed oriented and want to ensure that all of our clients have a premier experience. Safety is a top priority as well and we are proud to say that now 2 of our former Blue Pacific Yachting students have won the ASMBYC Rescue Award for saving a life at sea while sailing.

“We are very proud to have been named a “Featured Sailing School” by ASA! We believe what sets us apart from the rest is our staff, our beautiful yachts, and the high-quality experience our students and charterers receive. We hear this time and time again from our clients. Our staff become like family to them and they see how we go above and beyond to ensure they have experiences that create memories that will last a lifetime!”

— Mollie Perlman, General Manager of Blue Pacific Yachting