Sail Seabird offers multi-day training charters
Imagine joining a sailing charter where the ocean becomes your classroom, the wind your guide, and each wave an opportunity for discovery. These aren’t your typical sailing charters with rigid curriculums and rote learning.
Founded by the intrepid Captain Emma Garschagen, Sail Seabird offers multi-day sail training voyages along the northeastern coast (Martha’s Vineyard, Maine, Cape Cod Islands) promising transformative experiences that blend education, empowerment, and exploration. Each trip aboard Emma’s Navy 44 Seabird is a hands-on adventure, inviting participants to dive deep into the intricacies of sailing.
Emma has a vision rooted in experiential learning and outdoor education. From interpreting weather forecasts to navigating and maneuvering, every aspect of the voyage is a learning opportunity. Emma’s approach cultivates expertise and a deep-seated appreciation for the maritime world.
Women-specific charters
Among Sail Seabird’s offerings are women-specific trips, designed for women-identifying, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals who are comfortable in a space centered on women’s experiences. This recent June, three women joined Emma on Seabird for a four-day voyage in Casco Bay.
“They all came looking to practice sailing and build confidence as skippers of their own boats,” Emma said. “I was so thrilled to watch them all leave the trip having found that confidence.”
The journey includes wildlife watching, picturesque anchorages, and evening explorations ashore. As summer transitions to fall, the warm waters and steady breezes provide ideal conditions for a truly memorable and empowering sailing experience. Sailing together, facing challenges, and celebrating victories creates a unique bond and a sense of empowerment that extends far beyond the voyage. Emma has crafted these trips to be instructive, supportive, and above all, fun.
Teen charters
Emma’s dedication to youth education shines through in Sail Seabird’s teen sailing programs. These programs are designed to be transformative, offering overnight trips that nurture personal growth and a love for the sea. Teens are involved in every aspect of sailing, developing leadership skills, teamwork, and a spirit of adventure. These experiences are life-changing, igniting a passion for sailing and the ocean that can last a lifetime.
Sail Seabird is also about giving back. Emma actively seeks partnerships and sponsorships to support her teen trips and other initiatives. One of her notable collaborations is with the Maine Island Trails Association, where she and her crew will participate in beach cleanups and efforts to enhance public beach access in Maine. These partnerships reflect Emma’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
How Sail Seabird got its start
Emma’s journey with Sail Seabird started in a rather unexpected place: a government auction. In the winter of 2022, she and her father, Walter, a marine technician, decided to bid on a Navy 44 offshore racing boat that had been sitting unused for a decade. They won Hull #9, affectionately named Flirt, and embarked on a challenging yet rewarding refit process.
The boat required extensive work, and Emma, alongside her father, repowered it with a new Nanni 40 engine, installed modern navigation instruments, and refurbished the interior. This project not only transformed Flirt into a seaworthy vessel but also deepened the bond between Emma and her father, making the process even more special.
Emma’s maritime credentials are nothing short of impressive. With over 25,000 ocean miles under sail and a diverse sailing background that includes sailing dinghies on the Hudson River, schooners in Haiti, tall ships in New Zealand, and sloops through the North Sea, her experience is vast and varied. She holds a USCG Masters License, commercial Yachtmaster Offshore, a Medical Person in Charge certification, and STCW basic training. Teaching sailing for the past decade, Emma finds joy in the constant education and growth that the sea provides.
Emma’s vision for Sail Seabird is to make sailing more accessible and inclusive. She aims to continue offering transformative sailing experiences that inspire, educate, and empower. By fostering a love for the sea and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Emma hopes to create a lasting impact on the sailing community.
Learn more at sailseabird.com.
by Chelsea Co
