Customer Reviews

Thanks from MainSail Charters & Research, LLC to all of the students and charterers who have sailed or have learned to sail with us. We too learned a lot; and thanks to those who crewed with us and who also provided and imparted their own insights, skills, knowledge and experiences which they purveyed to those on board!! There is always something new to learn.

Hurry up April!! and remember to “SAIL FAST buuut DOCK SLOW!!”

From a 2020 Charter:

Captain Bill offers the best value boat charter in the annapolis area, in my opinion. My wife and I chartered captain bills boat (through “getmyboat.com”) to celebrate her birthday and we had a wonderful time. You can participate as much or as little in the actual sailing as you prefer. There are several comfortable areas on the deck to lounge and catch some cosmic rays, and a salon below deck if you need to beat the heat. BYOB, BYO-snacks, bill provides the ice, water, coozies, and jokes. Very fun charter, would recommend to a friend.

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Reviews came in for the Basic Coastal Cruising Course and here is a share of just some:

“I wanted to learn to operate a larger sailboat so that I can rent them one day, and that’s exactly what I got from the Learn to Cruise course. The hands-on practice on a real cruising sailboat doing different manuvers was an invaluable learning experience. Captain Bill was able to cater the instruction to my level and challenge me in a safe environment. I look forward to exploring new seas by sailboat with this knowledge.
Thank you Captain Bill! From Ron”

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“Thanks again for the course. I enjoyed meeting the three of you and appreciated the hands on sailing you allowed me to do. It was pretty much what I was looking for.
Will continue to check your website from time to time to see what you have going on.” Bill N.

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Bill, ” Thanks again for the training. After learning to sail about a year ago, my wife and I wanted to gain some experience on a bigger boat in preparation for a possible bareboating trip. Our intent was to learn how to manage a large boat for a multi-day trip. We needed to learn rigging a large boat, moving under power, navigation, emergency/radio procedures, and docking/mooring. Thankfully, the Learn to Cruise course provided that training and much more. There were a lot of questions we didn’t know to ask and Bill filled the gaps where we didn’t know there where gaps. He provided lots of information from his personal experience and resources to help us succeed on a sailing trip. We are now more confident (and more excited) to take a sailing trip in the near future.” Jonathan

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Comments and Reviews from Previous Years:

Jonathan Lord noted of his experience:

“Captain Bill is a tremendous sailor and an even better instructor. I came
to his cruising course with some experience, but was blown away by the
amount of information he taught me, and how much of it is sticking with me.
He tells great stories based on his experience and the experience of his
sailing buddies that serve as very funny cautionary tales that also help
contextualize all the knowledge you’re taking in and make it stick. I am
very excited to have learned crucial navigation, radio and anchoring skills
from Bill, but more than that, I was pleased at how much time we got to
spent learning by doing. Bill is very generous with his boat and gave us
every opportunity to take the helm and learn by experiencing. By the end of
the weekend, Dreamcatcher felt like home. Thanks to Bill, I am a more
competent and confident sailor.”

From Russ Hensel:

Navigation course:

Captain Bill’s navigation course was presented in just the right way for me to learn.  We started the day with easy navigational concepts in the classroom and before I knew it, we were plotting courses for a day sail on the Chesapeake!  We checked our work, corrected the errors we made and pushed out of the slip.  We spent an incredible day on the bay following our courses, learning how to take sightings, plotting our actual positions on the chart and adjusting course to arrive at our numerous destinations.  I would highly recommend this course to all sailors and their sailing partners.  It’s a great way to spend the day learning with someone you care for!

“Personal Sailing Instructions on Your Boat:“

From Russ Hensel:

I had been doing too much “dock sailing” and I needed help regaining my confidence especially with handling my boat in the marina.  I have a shoal keel boat which is notoriously difficult to handle while backing into my slip.  Within a couple of hours, Captain Bill had me motoring in reverse all over the marina.  To the fuel dock, the pump-out station, then in and out of my slip!  And if that wasn’t miraculous enough; by the end of the weekend, Captain Bill had me confidently single handling my boat!  Captain Bill provided the training and exercises that set me free from the dock and allowed me to start enjoying my boat again!

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A Retired Marine Corps Aviator – “If Bill can teach me, he can teach anyone!”

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From Patrick Webster, USCG Master Licensed Captain (ret.)

I have sailed with Captain Bill on many occasions.  Given that I have always been a “motor head”, I needed all the help I can get handling sailing vessels.  Captain Bill has instructed me on everything from small day sailors to his 42 ft. DreamCatcher. His approach to teaching is both practical and unique to each individual.  He doesn’t mess around, and at the same time, he possesses a unique ability to patiently teach students at their own pace based on individual skill level.  I highly recommend DreamCatcher Charters if you are looking for a hands on course that will actually teach you how to safely and effectively sail a boat of any size.

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Michael “Terry” Shiflet
Holiday Hill Marina
3910 Calawasse Rd
Pier 3 Slip 30
Edgewater, MD 21037In March of 2012, having no knowledge of or experience in sailing, I purchased a 34 O’Day and moved aboard. Then came the interesting part, what to do with this very tall, very deep mass of rigging and apparatus that I didn’t even have names for. I met Captain Bill Ganzer and he took on the task of teaching this absolute novice. From the beginning with the class instruction to learning the basics of sailing aboard the Dream Catcher and then aboard my on vessel to make me comfortable in it’s operation. All I can say is, task completed, job well done. I now have a level of confidence that allows me to leave the pier and get out and enjoy this “Land of Pleasant Living.” After the fact Captain Bill has always been there to answer any questions that may arise. Thank you Capt. Bill