We bought a boat about a year ago. We knew it needed some work and we got to it. We have needed advice and guidance the entire way and still. Captain Dan is not only our go to person for repairs and updates, he is teaching us to sail, the right way. Just an A+ experience I highly recommend Captain Dan to anyone interested in Sailing or needing work on your boat. read more

Capt Dan Classic Sails - Me at the helm under watchfull eyes of Captain Dan. So much FUN! - Boating Near Me - Berkeley, California

The bay views are gorgeous, the sailboat is roomy (at least compared to the only other ones I've been on), and the captain's a hoot. Dan took good care of our bachelorette party and made sure everyone had a fun and safe time. This is a solid option for an outing leaving from Berkeley ⁠-- I would go again if I needed an activity for a small group. read more

Capt Dan Classic Sails - Boating Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

This guy is a pro. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The perfect experience for 6 friends who just wanted to get out on the water and chill for bit. Thanks Dan for hosting, and taking care of us on the water. What a beautiful sunset and cool Berkeley experience. Hope to go again soon. Take care! -Matt read more

See all

I found Dan on yelp and took a group sailing for my mom's 70th birthday! Dan was a great host, super knowledgeable, easy-going, and chatty in the nicest way. Scheduling and communication were super easy over email, and when we arrived 15 minutes early he was ready and waiting for us! Our small group (5 adults in their 30's through 70s) really enjoyed the trip, and enjoyed that he asked us to help with small tasks as we were sailing ("Would you like to steer for a minute?"), and that we were able to sail around and pretty much see whatever we wanted to see. Highlights were seeing the sunset behind the Golden Gate and sailing under the Bay Bridge for a unique view. Older folks/those with mobility issues will have some challenges (it is a sailboat afterall, not a cruise ship), but Dan did great with helping mom in & out of the boat and answering all of our questions. Definitely recommended and i will probably be back for a future event! Bonus - cute dog! read more

See all

Captain Dan and his four legged first mate Sali were awesome sailing buddies. Dan was super friendly and gave us the low down before we got on his 40' sailboat. Life vest were provided and even Sali had one! The entire crew consisted of my husband and myself, his parents, Captain Dan and Sali. We took of from the Berkeley Marina and sailed towards San Francisco. We docked at pier 1 1/2 and decided to have dinner at Hardwater. We became fast friends with Dan and invited him to join us for dinner. We ended up leaving San Francisco around 7 pm and set out for a night time sail back to Berkeley. The winds were light so it was a longer trip back but so relaxing and calm. The views of San Francisco at night from a sailboat are just amazing. Can't wait to go out sailing with Captain Dan and Sali again! read more

See all

Highly recommend sailing with Captain Dan! My friends and I went on a sunset sail as part of a bachelorette party, and we had such a wonderful time. Watching the sunset out on the water was so beautiful, and we felt very comfortable and safe throughout the experience. We really enjoyed hanging out, eating dinner, having a few drinks, and chatting well into the evening. Dan is very knowledgeable and friendly, and his sweet dog Sali came along for the ride too! Such a fun night! read more

THE ULTIMATE SAILING EXPERIENCE! 10 STARS! Had the most amazing experience with my friends and wife. We booked a sunset sail with Dan from the Berkeley Marina. We didn't know exactly what to expect, but once we got out of the marina we were in for a beautiful treat. The sunset that day was illuminating and we were able to sit out on the side of the boat and just feel the ocean breeze and a few splashes from the waves. It was amazing. Dan was very professional and guided us through every step of the sailing experience. We highly recommend this! I would definitely book this sailing experience for a birthday, or just a nice time to have some wine or light snacks out on the bay. You also get a great view of San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley! read more

If I could leave 10 stars I would! This was the perfect gift and Captain Dan was an amazing host. I had a lot of questions before sailing and his communication was always fast and very detailed. He has so much knowledge/passion for sailing and it shows. He didn't have to use the engine once! Pretty impressive. His adorable, and very well trained dog Sali joined us. He allows you to bring drinks and food (normally you can not or it's an extra charge at other places). I will be back with friends! Thanks again Captain Dan, and Sali! read more

Capt Dan Classic Sails - Beautiful Sunset! - Boating Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

i have been sailing a few times, and this trip was the most safe trip! i will highly recommend captain dan, he is a great guy to go sailing with. read more

Our group of 4 had a wonderful night sail with Dan! Dan was very friendly, approachable and communicative. He had many interesting stories to share and also let us steer the boat for a while. He patiently explained many of the sailing related details that were completely new to us. We enjoyed the boat, his company and the views of the city from the water! Highly recommend this to anyone living in the east bay area! read more

Just got back from a spectacular sunset sail with Captain Dan. Gorgeous views the whole way, and such a smooth ride thanks to Dan's expertise. My pregnant wife and older parents were aboard, and they were all comfortable the whole time. Not only is Dan a great sailor, but he's a super friendly guy with lots of interesting stories and life experience. We really enjoyed chatting during our sail. Highly recommend! read more

AHOY!!!! This was my first official sailing adventure and I can't believe I've been missing out this entire time. I went on a Wednesday and paid a very affordable donation based price. I brought a date and did not quite know what to expect. So what did I do? I blew up Capt Dan's phone. I wanted to ensure everything went well. He was super clear and easy going about the info with prep, food, clothing, time, the whole nine yards. EXPERIENCE I HAD A FREAKING BLAST!! We started with snacks, fruit, cheese and wine (of course all food that we brought. In that case, how could you go wrong.). I had a mild buzz going on before departure. During the entire process, Capt Dan taught us the process of "undocking" (may not be the proper term) among many other things. We were all included in the experience and it felt surreal. There were so many epic moments, waving to the patrons at Skates, sitting at the top of the boat to watch the sunset, taking part in the managing the boat, NOT falling out, free pictures posted by Dan, and the bonds developed from the other attendees, dare I say new born amateur sailors! ARRRR!! One notable aspect that must be mentioned is Capt Dan. He is a humble, informative, and all around cool guy. I didn't expect him to be so damn easy going. He definitely made the experience a memorable one. Thanks, Capt Dan. I will be back. FYI, make sure to bring layers upon layers. Even if it is 85 degrees, it can still get chilly as you're in the open sea. Don't blame me if you come back an icicle. read more

Captain Dan is a very humble host and provides an amazing sailing experience. My SO & I have gone on a couple of sailing trips with Dan and I consider sailing with him one of my secret, off-the-beaten-track things to do in the Bay Area. :::shhh::: keep it quiet ok? At $150 an hour for a weekday, and $200/hr for a weekend, it's a pretty sweet deal -- especially if you have a family or a group -- or a party or team building event. AND especially for someone with Dan's expertise. Have you ever seen one man sailing a 40 foot boat by himself? With only the wind? He is quite the badass if you ask me. Some things you should know: 1) You will rarely motor. Be prepared for his baby, the "Feral", to be moved purely by the wind. Yes, he is that good. :) As a slightly experienced sailor myself, I have never seen anyone do this before. That means no rumbling motor. No vibrating. No other sailors laughing at you be cause you are not really sailing when there is wind to be harnessed. This is truly amazing. 2) This is not the place to wear your Christian Louboutin stilettos and act like you're in T-Pain's "I'm on a Boat" video. This is warm, cozy, old school charm, wood hull, handcrafted, oil lamps. If you're into that, this is your speed. If you want to be fashionable, wear some Sperry topsiders and you're good. Don't forget socks. ;) 3) LAYERS. WARM Layers. Think fleece and wind resistance -- and sunscreen. Even if it's sunny, it can get cold out on the water sailing. What ever layers you wear, it has to go under your PFD, which is provided. 4) It's nice to bring snacks and maybe a bottle of wine or some other beverage you enjoy to share with others. Oh, and he does twilight or sunset sailing -- lit with gas lamps, which is one of the most delightful, romantic things we have ever experienced. read more

amazing boat trip around the bay.. we even did a trip by McCovey cove during the giants game. I highly recommend capt. dan classic sails. read more

See all

Captain Dan rocks the boat! We had an amazing time sailing the Bay. Dan is one of the coolest captains out there. He is really easy going and lets you enjoy the trip however you'd like. Highly recommended! read more

Our family had a blast sailing! The winds cooperated and we buried the rail and enjoyed our lunch leisurely floating off Angel Island. Captain Dan was a great sailor and wonderful story teller. We will be setting sails with Dan again someday! read more

My wife and I wanted our 10 year old daughter and her friend to get a true sailing experience and this was it. Captain Dan is a master of his vessel and it shows. He was able to leave the slip and return to it all under sail power. Very impressive if you've ever sailed before. If you are going in the SF Bay... wear warm, water resistant clothing just in case (no kidding - you will probably get wet). We went at sunset and it was fantastic. Dan is a great guy and has some fantastic stories he can share so be friendly and he'll keep you well entertained. read more

Captain Dan is the best! Astute, highly-skilled, highly-experienced sailor with a great personality- he's remarkably humble and kind. I am learning how to sail and love our lessons. I highly recommend a beautiful mid-day sail in the bay with Capt. Dan! read more

What can I say....Captain Dan best capt around!! My friend decided she wanted to do this for her birthday, mind you I cant swim at all and I am very afraid of oceans and lakes but since it was her birthday I decided I could do this for her!! So we arrive on the Marina I was not even sure what to expect. We walk over to the boat which was smaller than I thought. Captain Dan ran through all the basic instructions and off away we went. He answered all of our questions even the silly ones. Captain Dan was very entertaining and kept us laughing the whole time. I was very scared when the boat tipped to the side, but thank goodness we didnt fall over...haha j/k. Overall I say this was a terrific experience for someone like me. I would even do it again. Wait did I really say that? LOL read more

I've sailed with Captain Dan in the San Francisco Bay area many times, and every single one has been extraordinary in its own way. I've been out on warm days where we stripped down to bathing suits and swam in the Bay, on exhilarating, turbulent days, and everything in between. Dan handles them all with expertise, humor and grace. Besides his deep knowledge and skill as a sailor, Dan has a gift for sharing the joy of sailing with a wide range of people. If you want to pick up some nautical skills, he'll teach you with patience and humor. If you want to relax while you drink wine and watch the sunset, he'll make sure you're comfortable and point out little details about the ocean and the landscape you may not have noticed. I've never met anyone who has sailed with Dan who hasn't had a fantastic experience. He is as good a person as he is a captain. read more

We were so lucky to join Capt. Dan and some friends for a sunset sail. He is confidently relaxed, but spry and obviously a seasoned sailor. His energy immediately puts you at ease when you board his lovely boat, 'Feral.' We set out with a good wind, so there was no need to use diesel power to get out of the harbor. It was a clean exit, and soon we were munching on popcorn, sipping wine and heading towards the most incredible sunset on the bay. After a nice bit of sailing, we headed back downwind towards the harbor, where Dan made his most exciting moves. With a final jibe, Dan made for his portion of the marina, and nosed into his slip, which was positioned conveniently with the wind. It was inspiring to see the control that Dan had (over his 40 foot vessel) without resorting to mechanical power. Most would have dropped sail and motored in once entering the marina. Truly a subtle exhibition of skill and experience. Also his dog is super cute. read more

Capt Dan Classic Sails - Boating Near Me - Berkeley, California

I decided to go on a sailboat ride with Capt Dan Sails because I love sailboat rides and being on the water. Capt Dan was awesome! He was very welcoming and knowledgeable about sailing and the Bay area. I recently moved to the Bay area so sailing with Capt Dan was not only fun and amazing, but he helped me learn about all the different islands near the Bay that I'd like to someday explore. Another exciting part of the ride was that i got to steer the sailboat for most of the trip. It was a little scary at times, but I had complete confidence in Capt Dan that he would never put us in any danger. I highly recommend sailing with Capt Dan if you like adventure or just enjoy being on the water and watching the beautiful scenery around you. I would definitely go again! read more

Awesome experience overall. I took my family on a trip with Dan (my parents, wife and sisters) and everybody had a blast. I was really impressed by Dan's sailing skills, leaving the port by sail, no help of an engine. He is a really nice guy and offered us a great time in the bay. I'll do it again. I recommend twice! read more

I had my first sail with Capt Dan Classic Sails and it was quite possibly the best day of my life. We sailed around and under the bay bridge to view the construction going on, and then along the SF marina to get a different view of the city we all love so much. From the get go, I felt comfortable, safe, and relaxed. Dan is an exceptional host who really goes above and beyond for his clients. I've sailed with him many times now and always have such an amazing time. He's really great at providing a complete total sailing experience, where you can learn and help sail if you'd like or just lie back and take a nap. Always awesome!! I highly recommend his sails, in fact I will only sail with Capt. Dan!! read more

Went sailing with Dan for my cousins birthday. We were a party of six individuals and we fit very comfortably in the boat. Dan is extremely cool and the entire experience was awesome! We relaxed in the boat and ate our appetizers and later we set sail into the bay. Our sail was well into the evening. Do dress warm. Ski garb, pants and jacket, is the best preparation, I did get splashed, LOL, and if you don't need it Dan has a place below to store extra items. He presents a very friendly atmosphere. read more

To begin with, Captain Dan was incredibly responsive and communicative throughout the scheduling process. Feral (the boat) is a beauty and a very mellow ride. Dan provides the opportunity for passengers to sit back, enjoy the view, and relax. Both Dan and Sali are great hosts and this is definitely an experience you don't want to miss! Kate & John read more

Captain Dan was awesome and fun to hang out with. The trip was very laid back and fun! It was cold, and not like the sailing I was used to, but I loved the new experience and the adventure. read more

Captain Dan made us all feel really comfortable on the boat. He is easy-going and really wants the group to have a good time. The evening started out sunny and then got very cold so make sure to bring warm clothes! read more

We had a magical sail! It is so gorgeous to be out on the bay at night, chilling with friends and Captain Dan, and his sweet dog. Some things surprised me: it's really incredible at night with the lights of the city and the silhouette of Mt Tam (I had thought the daylight/sunset would be the best part, but wrong, the thrill of the water and sky at night was the best.); and the thrills of flying along the water - the boat moves fast and Dan's boat is the perfect size to feel the water and the wind (I expected a pretty experience, but not such a thrill). This is such a great price point to have a magical night and experience the bay. Thanks Dan! read more

Sunset Sail? Sign me up. I've lived in Berkeley for almost three years and have never experienced the bay area in this way. Our group met at the Berkeley Marina, poured ourselves a glass of wine, and ventured out into the open ocean. The views are spectacular and being on the water is thrilling. Capt Dan and his trusty sidekick Sali (cute dog in a lime-green life-jacket) made sure we all had a great time and got back to the dock in one piece. The whole experience was relaxed- and loads of fun. I'd recommend it to anyone - read more

Captain dan's sailing tour is the best in the Bay. We relaxed, drank wine and ate yummy snacks before setting sail. We got to pick our route and even take the helm of his beautiful boat for a bit. He's a great guy, and we loved his company. we even invited him to join us for a post sailing glass of wine! If you choosing a captain, definitely go with Dan. read more

This was my first time in a sail boat and had no idea what to expect when I bought my groupon for a sunset cruise in the SF bay. After looking at Captain Dan's webpage I had a much better idea and dressed in warm waterproof clothing as suggested and I am glad I did! Before we set out we were able to eat food, drink wine, and mingle with the other guests on board as well as Dan's cute little boat dog. After that we stowed away all loose items and set sail! It was a fun, wet journey and we had a blast. Everyone had the opportunity to steer and help out to get the full sailor experience. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested. It was the most fun I've had in a while! read more

Captain Dan is personable, knowledgeable, and a heck of a sailor. I highly recommend.

What a fantastic way to spend 4th of July! And what a fabulous skipper we had in Captain Dan. We left the dock shortly after 5 pm and sailed around the bay enjoying the sunshine, wind, and waves; the delightful company aboard; and the delicious snacks we brought to share. By evening, we were back at the old decommissioned bridge at Berkeley Marina, when, right on time, the first Roman candle shot out from the darkness and lit up the sky. Under the ghostly light of that first flare, we could see in impressionist watercolor glimpses, the surprisingly few boats sharing the water, the silhouettes of the crews lighting the fireworks on the bridge above, and the structures along the shore harboring the cheering crowds. When the show began in earnest, the blackness above exploded in a fury of color and light, a scattered stage for a million firefly ballerinas, celebrating their freedom. Thanks, Captain Dan. I'll definitely be back! Amy read more

This guy is authentic, the real deal; he lives on his boat and is master & commander. Is also fun, courteous and knowledgeable. Looking for a swell time with a Jedi pilot of the seas? Look no further read more

What a great guy! So much fun too! We sailed as far as the winds would take us, 6 people total. Plus a wonderful doggy on board too that loved being petted. Amazing experience and my boyfriend and I agree we'd love to go with him again! read more

Sailing with Captain Dan was EXCELLENT! I was on vacation in SF and wanted a leisurely way to see the sights of the city and Captain Dan definitely delivered. He's a super interesting, fun, chill guy who handled the boat expertly and actually let us drive ourselves too! Captain Dan was so much fun that we actually wound up talking for an hour after the boat ride ended, just hanging out on the docks. The views were amazing, the weather was warm and the boat was fast and thrilling. The day was perfect from start to finish. Captain Dan was one of the huge highlights of my SF trip!!! read more

Went last night for the Sunset Sail, we all had a great time! Dan is very laid back and a great captain. We all felt very safe and comfortable. Will definitely recommend to others and use again in the future. What a great way to see the bay and appreciate the area. read more

The other 5-star reviews have it all correct. Captain Dan is awesome. He took my family and me out for an afternoon's sailing in the bay on just a few hours' notice, canceling other plans to do so. He was lovely with the kids, totally relaxed, fun, and interesting to talk with. The kids got to ride up front, work some rigging, steer, and hear all about sailing and the bay from Dan--he's just excellent. As someone else wrote, I'd give more than 5 stars if I could. read more

Captain Dan and first mate (Sali the dog) were awesome! My sister chartered the boat for her birthday with me and 4 of her besties. We got at the boat at 6:30pm on a Monday night. Had some tasty pre-launch beverages and then set sail. It was a lovely evening, never got to cold, just enough wind to keep the boat moving. Once we got out, enjoyed more drinks and some food. Sailed for a couple of hours and returned. I even got to steer on the way in. Dan is great with the boat and so affable! His dog Sali was adorable and so well behaved. Such a fun excursion. read more