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Captain Ben Doerr — Life on the Salish Sea (Bainbridge Island Review)

Our captain’s sailing roots began with childhood outings off Florida with his grandfather and racing on Lake Michigan after high school; he and his wife moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2003 and settled on Bainbridge Island, where the hobby became a lifestyle. Now in its 11th season, Sail Bainbridge operates TRUE, a 44-foot Pearson Countess ketch designed by renowned naval architect John Alden that carries nearly 900 sq. ft. of sail and weighs about 32,000 pounds, built for comfort and seaworthiness in the Salish Sea. He is a U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captain with more than 5,000 offshore miles (from the West Coast to the North Sea), wilderness first aid training, and deep local knowledge of marine life and waterways. Sail Bainbridge serves many Bainbridge residents and regional guests, with long-term relationships and repeat clients a highlight—last year our charters logged 22 whale encounters, up from an earlier average of 6–10 per season—and beyond charters he partners with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, running a dive boat for kelp research and supporting roughly 30 dives since last June.

Read the full article in Bainbridge Island Review

Smiling man in a black hoodie at the helm of a boat, gripping a wooden steering wheel with open ocean behind him.

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Recent News

  • Captain Ben Doerr — Life on the Salish Sea (Bainbridge Island Review) June 29, 2026
  • A Rising Tide June 10, 2026
  • Time & Tide June 7, 2026
  • This Year’s for the Planet! May 14, 2026
  • Why Choose Sail Bainbridge May 12, 2026
  • TOKI Joins Puget Sound Restoration Fund Research Fleet May 10, 2026
  • Sunset Sail. Moonlight Anchorage. Sleepaboard. May 1, 2026
  • Yup, We Own The Chandlery March 10, 2026
  • Surprise them with Sailing February 14, 2026
  • Sail Bainbridge Listed as a Top Outdoor Adventure for 2026 January 3, 2026

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Ferry service update

Washington State Ferries are running smoothly today, but we’ll keep this notice up for the next few days in case service is disrupted again. If a strike or other interruption affects ferry service this week or in the future, Sail Bainbridge may be able to offer alternative transportation between Bainbridge Island and Bell Harbor in downtown Seattle, or airport runs to the West Seattle Water Taxi dock, aboard our research speed boat Toki. The crossing takes about 30 minutes.

The fare is $100 per person, one way, with a two-person minimum. Availability and trip timing depend on demand. Find a travel companion through Bainbridge Islanders or your own connections, then text 206.788.6512 to ask about availability and book.

And we want to be clear that we stand with the Engine Room Workers. We support them in their push for better compensation for the amazing and grueling and thankless work they do. We are here offering a very small service to help folks who need it.