All Aboard Sailing

Had the best day ever with Captain David Howitt and Barbara on their sailboat. They know the waters and the whales so well because they sail for fun, not for work. Listened to so many wonderful stories of the Captain’s Sea Shepherd days, and saw amazing marine life. First time I’d ever seen whales, and we saw humpbacks & a recent addition to the San Juan islands family, the fin whale, who passed right under our bow. The deck suit saved me from the cold winds so I could sit on deck comfortably, and the captain taught me a lot about sailing. I really recommend anyone who finds themselves in the Seattle area to go sailing with these guys, they are so much fun and admirably obsessed with marine life, sailing, and conservation.

I have been out with Captain David on the Peniel on five cruises. Three of the five were diving trips. David got us to some remote and pristine dive sites around the northern San Juan Archipelago. On another occassion I took a family I was guiding in the San Juans and Vancouver Island out for a sunset dinner cruise. I arranged to bring our own salmon barbecue and all the fixings with us. We had an amazing experience under sail as the summer sun set over Friday Harbor. The galley was spacious, clean, and easy to stage our meal from. We ate up top on deck and we completely satisfied. David had a nice balance of encouraging us to take on the joys and challenges of the helm, and confidently taking over at just the right moment.
On Father’s day a couple of years ago, my children and I hired David to take us over to Lopez Island as a way to share the day. Again we had a fantastic time and got to experience the magnificent Peniel under sail.
Captain David has always been very flexible and accommodated whatever cruise or expedition I have thought up. He cares immensely for his guests safety and comfort, and freely shares his vast knowledge of sailing and maritime lore with all aboard. He is my go to for exploring the waters of the San Juans.