Testimonials
“Husband, father, captain of the sailboat True, indie-folk musician, life enthusiast. Ben is pure joy and endless energy, plucking crab from the ocean one minute and regaling us with stories about his grandfather the next. You meet a lot of people in this life. Some of them are ships in the night. Some stick with you. Some you borrow a piece from to make your own little boat just a little bit better.”
“Initially, this was supposed to be a surprise birthday gift for my husband who has always wanted to sail. Ben, Kenza, the boat, and the sail were all precious to the point where I was even surprised as the experience was extremely phenomenal. I highly encourage others to sail and to stay on the boat. If I knew better, I would have booked a longer sail as time goes by quick when you are having fun! The sunset was incredible and the surrounding community was so pleasant. We saw wildlife and enjoyed being anchored with the slight movements of the water against the boat. Ben got us vegan doughnuts which was absolutely appreciated, they were wonderful. Also we had some rose tea that Ben provided in the kitchen and it was amazing way to enjoy the night. Ben is super knowledgeable and is very friendly (as so is Kenza). This experience solidified our hopes to sail on our own one day with our own boat. Also, the boat (True) is absolutely a stunning beauty. We got some compliments when fellow kayakers passed by when we were anchored 🙂 It was a very comfy stay and we appreciated all the fine details during our stay. It was truly special. We will certainly be back! Thanks for everything and making sailing awesome!”
“My family and I had a special time on True. It was our sons birthday. Sailing to Blake Island was the perfect family adventure: a private, beautiful island park. Captain Ben handles everything beautifully, and is super friendly. True is a gorgeous, classic, spacious and comfortable boat in any weather. I loved the different trip options, we certainly will be booking again. Highly Recommend!”
“What an amazing experience! Beautiful boat, great captain, a wonderful opportunity to take breathtaking photos, and enjoy time with friends. Thanks Sail Bainbridge!”
“Great time! True is a fantastic boat with plenty of style. Ben is a fantastic captain and a delight to be around. I cannot recommend sailing with him enough. Thanks for the great trip man!”
“Such a fun weekend! It is always nice to get a night out in the city, but to arrive by boat made for even more of a treat. Even in early spring, we were fortunate to get plenty of sun and winds at our back heading in –and we could not believe how close we came to the pod of orcas sailing home! That was definitely a highlight of the trip.”
“We had a great time sailing and staying aboard the sailboat, True. Ben was an exceptional host; friendly, informative, engaging and attentive yet giving us our space when appropriate. Pre-visit communication was phenomenal. Very laid back and accommodating which led to an overall great experience. Ben even grabbed a bucket of ice upon receiving my last-minute request to make sure the champagne would chill quickly. Oh yes, the mattress was much more comfortable than I expected to find on a boat.I’d highly recommend staying with Bainbridge Sail as a ‘bucket list’ experience. Waking up on a sail boat with a hot cup of coffee is not to be missed.”
“My happy place – sailing with Captain Ben at the helm. Even on a wild and wintry day I love being wrapped up in one of the on-board fluffy blankets with my hat and gloves and scarf, curled up in a comfy corner of the cockpit watching the world go by. All those people on the huge Seattle Bainbridge ferry slipping past us must wish they could swap places even for a few moments. The boat is so stable and Ben such a terrific captain that it’s easy to get lost in my own world quite oblivious to all the activity going on around me as we tack back and forth across the Sound, Mt Baker in one direction, Mt Rainier the other. And if the chill gets a bit much then below decks in a comfy chair beside the big upper level windows is a great place to hang out. Now I just can’t wait for the summer to lay about on the forward deck sipping a cool drink and dreaming my life away.”
“It was perfect. We’ll never forget our amazing stay on Ben’s gorgeous sailboat. He was an amazing host, extremely accommodating and helpful. The sailboat had everything we needed for a super-comfortable overnight stay. I proposed to my now-fiancée on the anchored-out boat at dusk and it was the perfect romantic experience. It couldn’t have gone better. I feel so lucky to have been able to work with Ben on the perfect romantic excursion. We’ll definitely be back.”
“Excellent communication prior to arrival: Detailed instruction and advise, professional and welcoming. Ben made every effort to ensure a smooth stay. One night felt like a weeks holiday in terms of relaxation. The boat is in great shape and it felt like a floating home from home. We took a 2 hour sail before being dropped off for dinner in a local restraunt. Following the meal Ben ferried us out to the boat and then returned as arranged at 10am the next day to pick us up. Sunset and sunrise on the water in a calm and quiet harbour with a view of the Seattle skyline, just perfect! A great experience for the kids too; our 9 and 10 year olds even took turns stearing the boat while under sail and are still talking about it a week later. A great change from a hotel or house stay, I would recommend to anyone. ”
“Ben was the perfect host. Engaging, funny, knowledgeable, generous and extremely easy to get along with, but just as adept at knowing when to give us space to enjoy the experience. I can’t recommend the experience highly enough. ”
“Our sail to Blake Island was magical. Even with the city skyline in view, it felt like a whole different world. Because of Ben, we were able to relax, enjoy the trip and focus on the beauty around us. We were so thrilled when one of the kids shouted “whale!” Just off the boat spouted a humpback. We stopped to watch it a while, before heading off to anchor off Blake Island – a little green gem of a place, criscrossed with trails to wander and shores to explore. It was an amazing adventure. Thank you Ben and Sail Bainbridge! We’ll be back aboard soon.”
“The day was crisp, the snow peaked mountains surrounded us in a glimmering sea. Charismatic Captain Ben sailed us around Bainbridge to explore the sights. We were greeted by many doe-eyed seals on our voyage and will never forget this adventure. True was a gorgeous and classy boat, comfortable and spacious. My friends and I will be making this trip again!!”
“From the moment you walk onto True you feel like you are stepping back in time to a place where everyday life just drifts away. This boating experience does not compare to many others. True is full of character that is beautifully enhanced by the enthusiasm and experience of the captain, Ben, who is happy to share his knowledge.
It would be an understatement to say that this boat is very comfortable. From a dining area with spectacular views to a relaxing lounge, True has everything you need to get away from it all. The galley along with a large bedroom and bathroom with fresh smelling hand lotion, are just some of the creature comforts onboard. Then you step outside onto the spacious deck and see nothing but the beauty that surrounds you. To be sailing on the Puget sound in a boat such as True can only be described as a wonderful experience.”
“Staying on Ben and Deb’s boat, the True, we had a wonderful stay, making our first night as a married couple amazing! Ben, incredibly flexible in taking us out after the wedding, and provided everything we needed to make us feel comfortable aboard. The True itself is amazing and very well equipped. The ship has beautiful wood dinning and seating areas, with a functional kitchen. One can enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning with great views from in the cabin, or on deck on two comfortable beanbag chairs. The bed is fantastically comfortable, and after a long day, we were quickly lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the ship. I could imagine spending several days there comfortably, though alas we only had the one night. We definitely would recommend the experience!”
“I can’t say enough about how lovely this little getaway was. Coordinating with Ben to iron out the details of the reservation and get set up with a tour through Sail Bainbridge was a breeze. Ben was incredibly helpful, responsive and accommodating. The boat is beautiful, and exceeded my expectations. The bed alone was nearly more comfortable than my own! Waking up anchored at harbor was a new experience for me, and it couldn’t have been more idyllic. Our Sunday morning sail was the best way to cap the day and Sail Bainbridge made it especially enjoyable and easy. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks for everything, Ben!”
“Perfect outing of sailing to Blake Island to explore and do a fun hike! We got to see the sea lions and porpoises while sailing! Our children said it was one of the best days of their lives! Doesn’t get any better than making memories like this!”
