We’ve always known we wanted to sail around the world, and even added it to our marriage vows. As we got closer to retirement, we realized we needed a bit of help to make it a reality, and improve our chance of success. Bluewater Cruising was exactly what we needed. We signed up in 2023, and immediately dove in to the training that covered: fears, goals, finances, coming up with a budget, how to get the kids on board (3 teenagers, plus 2 dogs), crew development, and how to look at boats that would fit our budget. Initially we had a 6 year time frame, but as we worked through the material and had several discussions with more experienced sailors, we realized we could do it a lot sooner. By 2024, we sold our house, downsized our belongings, bought a boat, retired, and moved on our boat, all with Bluewater Cruising coaching and supporting us along the way. They helped us to prepare for all the challenges we would face with boat buying, maintenance, upgrading boat systems, moving logistics, and many things we hadn’t even considered. Once on our boat and setting it up for our first season in the Bahamas, the Bluewater Cruising community was always there to answer specific questions, and even lending a hand with repairs, like fixing our water maker and upgrading to LiFePO4 batteries. After 28 years of dreaming, we’ve spent the last 3 months in the Bahamas sailing with other Bluewater Cruising buddy boats, most of us being out here our first year, mixed with a few veterans that helped us learn about passage planning, weather, anchoring, spear fishing / free diving, and showing us a lot of things we likely would have missed on our own. There is such a steep learning curve your first year, not to mention buying a boat, and Bluewater Cruising really took a lot of that pressure off our shoulders. Highly recommend them, if you’re planning to do this life. Less

My wife and I have been a part of the Bluewater Cruising program for about 18 months. In that time, we have been coached by mentors, met other soon to be cruisers, toured boats, sailed with the program in the Caribbean, and bought our own sail boat. All with their programs. It has been a world of help, support and insight. And if that was not enough, when we had engine issues, we had a hugely helpful community of people there to help. This is a group who is not only there for the good and fun times, but there when you really need them. We would be hard pressed to come live this life of adventure without the team at Bluewater and the community they have built. If you are considering this life of adventure, you need to know what you are getting into and have people behind you to help. These are those people. Less

Without Bluewater Cruising we would not be out here on the water. We have learned about relationships, finances, boats, maintenance, insurance, etc., Bluewater Cruising is a top-notch company. If you are looking to get out on the water and change your life, you definitely need to start with someone who can teach you what you don’t even know to ask. Less

Both my Wife and I have been super excited about transitioning into the bluewater lifestyle but armed with limited knowledge of the ‘you don’t know until you know’ , we were tentative. After speaking with Alie, we both now feel confident leaving our current and entering into the new…without the fear. Thanks Alie for your thorough and non-pressure presentation…and of course your SUPER enthusiasm which came across in droves. Less

We’ve had a dream of living on a sailboat for over 10 years. 9 months ago we made the decision to get some help to make our dreams a reality. Now I’m sitting on my floating home watching the sunset in the Bahamas. If it weren’t for Blue Water Cruising I have no doubt I either wouldn’t be here right now or I would have made some very costly mistakes. The support and guidance of the BWC community has helped make our dreams come true. We wish we had done it sooner. Less

Our experience with Bluewater Cruising has been very good all around. We came in with a goal and energy, but virtually zero experience and knowledge.the BWC (Bluewater Cruising) team from the start will ensure your objectives align with their program and community before getting into the details of their program.In short their are 3 membership tiers and it completely depends on your goals on which will be a best fit for you. We initially were recommended a mid tier as our goals included help through the boat buying and outfitting process, we found very quickly that we wanted to become more involved with the community and program and voluntarily upgraded to their highest tier.Some key benefits that I didn't expect but were extremely important to my family are: There is a very active and supportive online community within BWC, there are scheduled group calls to address any questions which the community and experts answer, and there are technical calls where an expert on a topic in cruising is brought in to discuss and educate.There is a formal training program that is online and at your own pace, this training is part of every tier of membership. It addresses all of the common topics in sailing from finances, to maintenance, and crew/family dynamics on the boat.If we had not found BWC our journey would have taken years to get out on the water. We are 5 months in and are actively looking for a boat to buy with a boat buying agent through BWC. Less

The Bluewater Cruising group has helped us fulfill a life long dream of owning our own boat, sailing to where we want to go, and explore. The community prepares you step by step of what to expect and how to overcome your fears and any obstacles holding you back. The weekly zoom calls introduce you to others wanting to achieve similar goals. We have already made so many friends and have been sailing with buddy boats from our group. If you have any boats issues, which you will, you can post it in the forum and many will reply to help resolve the problem. We are very thankful for this community and something would be missing from our lives without it. So if you are on the fence about sailing, take a deep breath and go for it! It will enrich your life in so many ways. Less

Bluewater Cruising has been an amazing learning experience from the training materials, to the instructors and all of the shared experiences of the community members. Anyone thinking about starting the cruising life aboard or just buying a boat for racing or coastal cruising should consider this program. Less

This is a fantastic program and community! We joined a few years ago and have learned so much about cruising. It helped us make our dream a reality sooner than we expected. Definitely recommend! Less

Bluewater Cruising has been an invaluable resource for us as we transitioned from having limited knowledge of full-time cruising to successfully buying a boat and setting sail. This isn’t just another course. It offers comprehensive guidance on a wide range of topics that truly prepares you for success.The weekly calls are incredibly supportive, and the community they’ve built is filled with fellow cruisers who are actively engaged in the sailing lifestyle. We joined one of their first groups and have seen the program and community grow tremendously.From overcoming initial fears, to navigating relationships with your partner, learning essential life skills while abroad, maintaining your boat, and especially during the boat-buying process, Bluewater Cruising covers it all. I can’t recommend them highly enough. We wouldn’t be out here without their support! Less

A great source of information and an awesome community. It saved us a huge amount of money and it helped us to start our dream way earlier. I absolutely recommend BWC to anyone who wants to go out cruising. Less

My husband and I have had a sailing/cruising dream for 27 years, so when we discovered BWC and joined its coaching/education program almost two years ago, we were set on a solid path to reach our goal…. As it turns out, with the help of BWC, we are planning to set sail sooner than originally planned! Every team member with BWC is so knowledgeable, and passionate, about the cruising lifestyle, and they have the coolest, most helpful boat broker who assisted us in finding the perfect boat for us. What’s more, this is a community of like-minded people all working towards an extraordinary life.I have nothing but good things to say about BWC. Less

Joining Blue Water Cruising was one of the best decisions we’ve made to help us turn our dream of sailing around the world into a reality. BWC has taken us step by step in formulating a plan and taking educated steps toward that plan. Through the Fundamentals Program we were challenged to look closely at our fears, expectations and hopes for our life on the water. From there we began to learn many things that will help us be prepared once we buy our boat and begin our adventure. Our next step is to buy a boat with the help and assistance of BWC experts. The support is customized to our individual needs. The encouragement is ongoing during our Zoom calls twice a week. We feel so grateful to be part of this amazing community. Because of BWC we are 100% confident that we are moving in the right direction and will make our sailing dreams come true!! Less