Overnight Longboat Voyaging

Explore Port Townsend Bay, circumnavigate Marrowstone Island, or embark on a San Juan Islands expedition!

Up to 10 students, ages 14 and over, are accompanied by an experienced Northwest Maritime Center captain and mate for an unforgettable 2-10 day experience on a historic longboat. Learn the tools of a mariner, including navigation, rowing, sailing, tides/currents and natural history. Develop friendships and camaraderie while working together to operate the longboat. You will be involved in all aspects of the expedition from deciding where to anchor for the night to cooking meals for each other. You will sleep aboard the boat or camp each night.

Journey to different locations during the trip under oar or sail power harnessing the wind and tides. Opportunities to explore and hike on land are also available. Expect to work hard and feel rewarded by your accomplishments. Discover your own potential to be a leader and contributing group member. As the trip progresses, students will be supported in building confidence and taking on more responsibility for making decisions about navigation and activities of the voyage.

Our 2 longboats, Townshend and Bear, are 26-foot open wooden boats. They are historic replicas from Captain George Vancouver’s exploration of the region in 1792. The boats are equipped with 8 rowing stations and 3 sails. Stepping aboard is like going back in time to a more traditional and simple way of living. Our staff includes a US Coast Guard licensed captain and a mate/instructor who are trained and highly skilled at working on the water and with youth.