Sailing Tour

At first glance, our 21' handcrafted redwood outrigger sailboat evokes images and feelings of Polynesia. These outriggers may not be the typical Mendocino Coast vessel, but they are easily the most peaceful and effortless way to experience Big River Estuary on a windy day.

We invite you to sail Big River with experienced sailor and boatman, Erin Hemmings. Erin's tours are custom tailored to individual experience levels and sailing desires. The outrigger sailing experience can be a personal in-depth sailing tutorial, or an exhilarating and carefree scenic tour.

Two to three people comfortably fit in the boat. Each passenger has the option of captaining the sailboat, or experiencing the lesson from the crossarm seat. Fly effortlessly up and down Big River, cruising around 6 to 8 mph, and easily hitting speeds up to 12 or 15 mph depending on conditions.

The Sailing Tutorial covers the basics of sailing and outrigger handling. Erin teaches how to read the wind and water conditions and be aware of the sailing environment, getting the most out of your tacks and gibes. Our outriggers are manageable and easy to learn, needing only 1 mainsail for balanced sailing. The sail is fully reefable, allowing safe and manageable sail area in all wind conditions. The boat is equipped with a foot rudder system and allows for full hand concentration on sail operation. The trimaran design is ultra-stable and extremely difficult to capsize. The below-water draft is a mere 6 inches for unprecedented wind-powered exploration of the beautiful Big River Estuary.

Sign up today for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail a Polynesian-style outrigger on the beautiful Mendocino Coast.