A first-class sailing experience with Captain Doug We booked Taihoa for a group of four and couldn't recommend it more highly. From the first email months out, Captain Doug was a fantastic communicator. Our original plan (a friend's 40th) changed, and he graciously converted our booking into a certificate without any hassle -- that flexibility set the tone for the whole experience. Taihoa herself is something special. Doug took real time before we cast off to walk us through her history and design -- a hand-built 1940s wooden classic -- and it gave the whole day a depth you don't get on a standard charter. Once we were underway, he even let us help sail her out of the harbor and into the bay, which was genuinely the highlight for us. We had a beautiful day of sun and wind, plenty of room for four, and at no point did we feel anything but safe and well looked after. If you love sailing -- or just want a memorable day on the water -- book with Doug. (And bring sunscreen!) read more

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We had a fantastic sail with Captain Doug. It was an extremely windy day, but despite the cold and wind, we had a delightful time. The boat is beautiful and Captain Doug was friendly and knowledgeable about the boat and the area. Loved learning about some of the history. Would sail again! read more

My fiancé and I had an amazing time sailing with Captain Doug! We were in great hands and Captain Doug taught us a lot. And the views were amazing! read more

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What an amazing experience! Words fall short in describing how awesome captain Doug is. From the moment we met him, we knew we were in the right hands. He's so friendly and informative. I loved all the history he provided about his boat, sailing and the island. He's very detailed and prioritizes your safety. He's also very funny! He made our wedding anniversary truly special. Thank you captain Doug! read more

Sail Taihoa - Sunset - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

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We had such a great time sailing with Captain Doug! We've been visiting San Francisco our whole lives, but he showed us parts of the Bay that we had never seen before. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience fun and relaxing. The views were incredible, and his passion for the Bay really shines through. We highly recommend sailing with Captain Doug for a unique and memorable experience! read more

We had a FANTASTIC time. The history and charm of that boat are tangible from the moment you step on board. If you're willing, you may even get a chance to participate in the sailing. I volunteered to take the helm as we left the marina and that's when I really felt connected to the ship. Never did I think I would have a captain giving me a command like "hard to port!" but I got that experience before we ever got out into the bay. My wife and I were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary and nothing would have been better than a Sunset sail aboard Taihoa! Thank you Captain Doug! read more

Sail Taihoa - Enjoying our 10 year wedding anniversary aboard Taihoa! - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

I had an epic Sail with Doug this time! I've been more than once. He does school training, regular day sails, and passage making trips during the summer. It's always super fun with him. He's a professional and his wooden boat Taihoa is truly a wonderful gem in a sea of plastic boats these days. Such a great time! Thanks Captain Doug! read more

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We had an amazing time aboard Taihoa! Captain Doug was informative, engaging and entertaining, and learning the unique history of the ship really added to the awesome sailing experience. I absolutely recommend!! read more

Went out with Doug, 4 hour cruse, my son is learning to sail a very similar boat. Doug had my son driving the boat & talked all about the sailing process - boat, the bay , water tides. Wind - everything. Doug is a wealth of information on the SF Bay as well - you got to go out - so much fun - and it's a real wood sail boat read more

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Our small group had had an incredible time aboard Taihoa for a lovely afternoon sail! Captain Doug was very well informed, engaging and charasimatic, and entertaining throughout. Getting to learn the interesting history of Taihoa made the experience even more memorable, as learning about the ship's unique history was a great bonus to a already great trip. Highly recommend! read more

We have been dreaming of sailing on the Bay for years, and finally made it happen, and we feel so lucky we chose to do it with Captain Doug on the beautiful Taihoa. Doug tailored our afternoon perfectly for our family, including our two young kids (ages 4 and 10) who had no prior sailing experience. He made us feel completely safe and engaged, sharing fascinating bits of Bay Area history along the way. It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, with stunning views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. Thank you, Captain Doug, for an unforgettable experience and for introducing our kids to sailing in such a fun and effortless way! read more

This was such a treat. We were expecting something different and instead we got a true experience. The captain was incredibly personable, knowledgeable and eager to share his wisdom with our group. You start with a history of the handmade sail boat which is fascinating.  Then a safety plan and on-board rules. Based on the weather the captain will plan a course and begins the sail. We brought a bunch of assorted nibbles yet were having so much fun we didn't get a change to eat them. Captain Doug will provide you with a wonderful history of the bay and a thrilling time! read more

Sail Taihoa - Me helping the captain - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

Never been sailing, was educated on Taihoa amazing experience! A must do when in Sausalito!

I rarely write reviews. I have high expectations of most restaurants and business I visit, based on previous experience or a friends recommendation. When I do write a review, like for Captain Doug and Sail Taihoa, it's because my experience exceeded my expectations. Captain Doug is a gentleman, a comedian, a historian, passionate about travel, and above all, a world-class sailor that will make any time you spend onboard well worth it. We booked a bay tour with a first-time and nervous sailor. After our trip, I could swear the newbie said he's ready to sail the ocean. Captain Doug's passion for sailing is addictive, and you walk away wanting more time onboard his ship. I recommend booking time aboard his ship. Both he and his ship have a wonderful story he'd be happy to tell you about. read more

Had a wonderful celebration of my sister's birthday with Captain Doug! Captain Doug was warm, eloquent, and professional and has a deep knowledge of sailing and local history. We enjoyed learning about the history of his beautiful boat and appreciated that he offered us a nice balance of opportunities to get involved with the sailing and to relax and enjoy the ride. We had a great afternoon on the water and I'm looking forward to the next time we can go out for a sail on Taihoa! read more

This was a wonderful experience. I've been told by friends who sail that it's the best way to truly tale in the San Francisco Bay. They were right. I'm the kind of person who finally unwinds by the last day of a trip. This experience put that into fast forward. When the Captain cut the motor and began to sail.... Amazing, We chartered 3 hours. Next time we will do 4 at least. Sailing with Captain Doug will be a permanent addition to our trips to the Bay area. read more

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Despite the storm and rainy weather we had a blast sailing Taihoa with Captain Doug! Definitely a memorable experience jumping on the waves and leaning almost at 45degrees during turns Captain Doug made the experience so personable with great stories, allowing us to assist him sailing the boat and going extra mile to ensure our Birthday Girl (sailing was a surprise birthday gift) felt special on her day! We weren't able to sail full 4 hours due to weather conditions, and Captain was so nice to offer us another sailing mini trip in the future for free! Yay! Very excited to go back and sail further in the bay! read more

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This man is so knowledgeable and I knew my husband, ChaCha, and I were safe! Thank u captain! Can't wait to come back! PS - I've been trying to find that word u taught us in the dictionary and online. I'm so mad I can't remember it! Again thank u Sir! read more

Absolutely LOVED sailing with Captain DougHis historical knowledge of the bay, his sense of humor, and his concern for our safety made for a great adventure! It was exciting, exhilarating, and fun! I see another sailing in my future... read more

Sail Taihoa - Absolutely LOVED sailing with Captain Doug - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

This is a must-do when visiting San Francisco. I was a bit apprenhisive before we arrived at the marina near Sausalito, but Captain Doug had me re-assured within minutes. He demonstrated a thorough know how of the waters, sailing, and safety as a seasoned During our private sailboating journey, Captain Doug entertained us with some history and local tales. We spotted sea lions, a whale spout, and porpoises. The Taihoa is a very sturdy boat and we hearing about how she was built, etc made it an even more interesting trip. We would enjoy taking this sail boat charter again, for certain! read more

Woo! This experience was worth every penny! Captain Doug is professional, friendly, and knowledgable. The crew made sure we were more than safe, and before we knew it we were out in the bay enjoying the unbelievable sights! Within minutes of departing we spotted a sea lion frolicking in the water, brown pelicans flying in formation feet away from the boat, a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate bridge, and Alcatraz. One of the best experiences of our trip, hands down! read more

Sail Taihoa - Aboard the Taihoa - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

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We sailed 3 hours with Doug. Weather was perfect, a little chilly at the end, always bring warm clothes, windbreakers, when sailing in the Bay. Doug is an awesome captain- very informative, he takes safety seriously, would definitely sail again and recommend to others! Thank you Doug! read more

Sail Taihoa - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

Best Charter Sailboat experience! Captain Doug answered all my questions on the phone the day before our sailing adventure, we were a flight crew of 4 and wanted to see the Bay Area sights on the boat. Captain Doug gave us step-by-step directions on how to meet him in Sausalito and gave us a warm welcome and introduced us to his beautiful boat Taihoa! I love learning the history of the classic wooden boat from New Zealand. You could feel the pride he had owning it well as knowing a lot of history with the Bay Area sights. I loved how we bring our own snacks and drinks they are coolers on aboard and we ended up adding another hour. I highly recommend this experience! read more

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What a memorable day! Doug was excellent. I loved learning a little history about the bay and Taihoa. Highly recommend this sailing experience! read more

I took my mom out sailing for her birthday and she enjoyed her time out on the water. Doug responded very quickly to my inquiry, was well prepared and informed. The ride is as relaxing or as engaging as you want it to be. My sister in law steered the boat for a little while. This is much nicer, private and much more intimate experience than other sailing experiences I have been on. Thanks again! read more

Sail Taihoa - The vessel! - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

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My husband I had a wonderful sailing experience with captain Doug for our 5th year wedding anniversary. He was so nice, accommodating, and made our experience so much fun and unique. We truly appreciate him educating us on the history of the boat and getting us to participate in sailing. We would definitely recommend him to anybody wanting go sailing in the bay. read more

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Captain Doug is an expert sailor, which is important on San Francisco Bay. We went out with the wind blowing and white caps on the Bay. It was immediately clear, despite what seemed like high winds and waves to us, Captain Doug was in 100% control of the boat. We felt quite safe. I also have to say, I've never seen anyone maneuver a boat into a slip before like Captain Doug. I swear he could parallel park the Taihoa if challenged to do so. And we had a great time. Captain Doug is a really nice guy, a wealth of historical knowledge about the Bay, and just very entertaining in general. It was fantastic being out in the water on an old school, beautiful ketch. We've been out a bunch of times on different boats. Sail Taihoa is now our #1 choice for future boat rides. If you're looking around for a boat to take you sailing, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SAIL TAIHOA! read more

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What a wonderful sailing experience. A 3 hour cruise with Captain Doug made our thanksgiving weekend. He was very knowledgeable and informative. read more

Sail Taihoa - Sailing - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

We had the most wonderful time with Captain Doug today on Sail Taihoa in Sausalito! We recommend this very highly. This is an experience we will always treasure and remember well. The sailboat is sturdy, gentle, and beautiful. Captain Doug is able to provide an experience that is better by miles than your standard "cruise". My wife and I learned many new things about the Bay Area, the history of the Bay itself and Sausalito's origins. Captain Doug is kind, understanding of "newbys" to sailing like us, funny and friendly, and an expert on the region's history and natural features. Literally one of our best experiences! I urge anyone who wants a great Sausalito memory to prioritize Sail Taihoa! read more

A friend told me about Taihoa just as I was trying to decide what to do for my birthday. What luck! Captain Doug is kind, knowledgeable, and a ton of fun. 6 of us had a great time on the water. We got to participate a bit in the sailing, and spotted tons of wildlife while we were relaxing in the Bay. It felt like we were in good hands the whole time, and it was great to share in Doug's passion for sailing and history. Highly recommend! read more

No better way to spend a Friday afternoon than sailing the Richardson Bay on the Taihoa with Captain Doug. His knowledge, expertise & love for sailing make this a whole package for the wooden sailboat enthusiasts. Look forward to the next excursion & highly recommend. read more

Captain Doug and his incredible boat Taihoa. What an absolutely amazing afternoon on the San Francisco Bay. Couldn't have gotten a more amazing experience then I could have ever imagined. Captian Doug was incredible, his knowledge and skills not only about Taihoa and her incredible history but history about the area. I can not recommend it enough do yourself a favor a book a trip with Captian Doug. read more

Sail Taihoa - Golden Gate Bridge from Taihoa - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

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Amazing sailing experience for the family. We thoroughly enjoyed Capt Doug's humor and historical info and knowledge. A great way to view the sites of the SF Bay. You can either be involved in the sail or just relax. We highly recommend Sail Taihoa read more

Nice Sailing boat + Skillful Captain + Beautiful Golden Gate Bridge Tour with wild animals ( Sealion, Whales, Porpoises...etc ) + Amazing Weather + Reasonable Price + COVID 19 Safety Ready= Sail Taihoa!!! Captain Doug is amazing. I booked 3hrs tour with him yesterday. He is knowledgeable, skillful and super friendly. He took us around the bay and taught us how the sailing boat is operating. He kept well social distance, sanitizing the boat and always kept our safety as the first priority. Taihoa is a nice well made sailing boat that it is what I was looking for. It was an amazing experiences. I will come back to see Captain Doug again for sure!!! Thank you for our lovely sailing tour!! :-) read more

Captain Doug is beyond incredible! A very knowledgeable and authentic individual. He gave us space to enjoy our time and made us feel safe the entire time. We had an epic time on Taihoa and can't wait to sail again with Doug in the near future. -From Jessie and Joseph read more

Sail Taihoa - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

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What an experience! Captain Doug was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and an amazing host. His boat, the Taihoa, is rich with history and I can't say enough about what an amazing afternoon we had. Thanks again, Doug!!! read more

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Doug was a great captain. He was very informative and gave some great history lessons as we sailed. Allowed us to help and becomes crew mates. Gave great instructions so we were fail proof. Safety protocols were put in place. I felt very safe even though it was our first time sailing. He takes covid seriously and mentioned he was vaccinated. It was a great overall experience that I would recommend. Booking with him was easy and his communication about our upcoming sail was effortless. read more

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Great experience with Captain Doug!! He taught us a lot about sailing and the history of Golden Gate! You can tell he is very passionate about what he does and it makes for a wonderful experience aboard his boat! read more

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Captain Doug was quick to reply to our inquiry, thorough and communicative throughout the booking and pre-sail process. When we finally met our Captain at the marina, we were delighted by his sense of humour and warmth. A skilled captain to be sure, he fully prepared us with what to expect and overall, the trip felt as if we were sailing with an old friend. Thank you for an unforgettable day, Captain Doug! read more

Sail Taihoa - Boat Charters Near Me - Sausalito, California

This is our second time sailing with Captain Doug and it was so great again! I brought some family from out of town and they absolutely loved it. Do not hesitate just book this trip - you will not be disappointed. Lots of history, you can help with the boat (if desired) in a very relaxed environment. Seeing the bay on the water is a completely different perspective than being on the land! Love and will do again! read more