As a condition of getting coverage on our NEEL 43 trimaran since I am a first-time boat owner, the insurance company required 100 hours of training by a licensed captain. I was lucky enough to have met and previously sailed with Capt Darren and Amanda Seltzer aboard their NEEL 45 trimaran, Panda ROSSO, in October during the 2023 Annapolis Boat Show, so I immediately reached out to them.
Darren & Amanda operate a business — Outer Passage — from their boat, offering “unique voyages for those seeking experience and training with offshore, inshore, and the liveaboard sailing lifestyle.” Additionally, they will come aboard your boat and help you improve your sailing chops, which was *chef’s kiss* exactly what we needed.
Over the next few weeks, Capt Darren put us through the paces, but in a good way. From quizzes on the U.S. Coast Guard’s “Rules of the Road” to technical issues aboard trimarans to sail handling and navigation, and much more, Capt Darren took the time to really teach and hone our skills, offering advice, insight, and tips on being better sailors. We spent several days aboard O’Shinn Flyer – walking through each system, improving our line handling skills, helming, navigation, and anchoring. Bottom line, it was money well spent and I’m glad that we did it!
