Articles · Guides · From the Helm
Sailing Knowledge
Certification guides, charter destination breakdowns, and seamanship articles from Captain Mike Nyakas.
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Certification
NauticEd vs ASA
Which certification do charter companies actually accept? Captain Mike has never seen a NauticEd BBM denied at a charter base.
Read →CertificationASA 104 vs RYA Day Skipper
The two most compared sailing certifications for European chartering. Which one does the charter base actually want to see?
Read →CertificationIs the NauticEd SLC Accepted Internationally?
The NauticEd SLC is accepted by Dream Yachts, Sunsail, and Moorings at 40+ destinations. Here is what to expect at the base.
Read →CertificationBareboat Charter Requirements for US and Canadian Sailors
No government license required. Here is what charter companies actually ask for — and how to make sure you have it.
Read →CertificationNauticEd Bareboat Master Course Review
An honest review of the NauticEd BBM program with Captain Mike in La Paz, Mexico. What you learn and what the certification gets you.
Read →Charter & Destinations
How Much Does a Bareboat Charter Cost?
APA, provisioning, fees — the real budget breakdown. Captain Mike covers what nobody tells you before you book.
Read →Charter & DestinationsBVI Sailing Guide
The most popular bareboat charter destination in the world. What you actually need to know before you go.
Read →Charter & DestinationsSailing School in La Paz, Mexico
NauticEd affiliate training in the Sea of Cortez. Immersive liveaboard instruction — certification accepted by all major charter fleets.
Read →Charter & DestinationsLearn to Sail Vacation — Come Back Certified
A sailing holiday where you come back with a NauticEd bareboat certification. 7-day liveaboard programs in the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Northwest.
Read →Charter & DestinationsBest Time to Sail the Sea of Cortez — A Month-by-Month Guide
November through April is the sweet spot. Captain Mike breaks down the Sea of Cortez sailing season month by month — wind, wildlife, and anchorages.
Read →Seamanship
Catamaran vs Monohull
Which should you learn to sail first? The real differences from the helm — not the brochure.
Read →SeamanshipHow to Dock a Catamaran in Crosswinds
The twin-engine pivot method Captain Mike uses in marinas from Croatia to the BVI. Step by step.
Read →SeamanshipSailing Courses Online — What They Cover and What They Can't
Online sailing courses cover theory well. They cannot teach you to dock, anchor, or read the water. Here is what has to happen on the water.
Read →Mentorship & Private Instruction
I Bought a Boat and Can't Sail — What to Do Next
Most new boat owners know more than they think. Captain Mike teaches private mentorship on your own vessel — building confidence and competence in 2-3 days.
Read →Mentorship & Private InstructionPrivate Sailing Instructor in Vancouver BC
Private sailing instruction in Vancouver BC and the Pacific Northwest on your own boat. Half-day, full-day, or 2-3 day liveaboard programs.
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