WHAT’S YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
We are at the mercy of the weather. If a trip needs to be cancelled due to weather, you will be contacted before the scheduled departure. Cancelled trips due to weather are entitled to a full refund. The final decision on weather cancellations is made by the captain (for day charters, if rain chances exceed 20% or if wind gusts exceed 25kts, you may be given the option to cancel).
We offer free cancellation within 24 hours after booking. After that if you decide to cancel for any reason, and we are able to re-book your spot, you can use your payment towards a future booking or receive a full refund, minus $100 admin fee. Otherwise, if we cannot rebook your spot, no credit or refund can be made for any reason, including illness. There are no exceptions to this policy.
WHERE do we meet?
480 King Carter Dr. Irvington, VA
Use the main entrance for the resort lobby- the front desk will direct you the marina. There are restrooms available at the marina (as well as a marine toilet onboard). For ASA courses, your instructor will meet you in the lobby.
WHAT SHOULD I bring?
CHARTERS
We recommend dressing in layers as conditions on the water can be colder than you might expect from the land climate. A raincoat (just in case!) is recommended.
Please bring appropriate footwear for the boat (no flip-flops or heels, unless you plan to be barefoot).
You may chose to bring a small cooler with your food and/or beverage of choice (NO GLASS containers, please).
SAILING SCHOOL
Plan to bring your ASA textbook. Bring plenty of warm clothes. Layers are great as the temperature and wind chill can vary greatly throughout the day. It’s much better to have extra layers than not enough. Bring your own snacks, lunch and drinks. The Local in Irvington is a great spot to pick up coffee, drinks and lunch. There is also a restaurant on premises at the Tides Inn. We have filtered water available but please bring your own water bottle. During lessons, the sailboat may not have a sun cover on, so please bring sunscreen, hats, sun shirts, etc. We have basic self-inflating PFD’s for you to use. If you have your own your are welcome to bring that. You will only be asked to wear a PFD if conditions warrant (over 15kts of wind or low visibility).
overnight TRIPS
Please refer to the general info page for lots of details on this subject.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED ONBOARD?
Not including the Captain, the capacity for charters is 6 people. Each course for the sailing school has a max capacity of 4 students.
WHAT IF I GET SEASICK?
charters & sailing school
If you are worried about motion sickness, we recommend taking an over-the-counter medicine BEFORE you arrive. Since we sail in relatively protected waters of the Rappahannock River, the wave motion is typically minimal.
overnight TRIPS
If you are worried about motion sickness, we recommend talking to your doctor about medication. We typically only go out if the waves are forecasted less than 3ft. Some ways to help prevent seasickness include: get plenty of rest, avoid caffeine and alcohol, stay hydrated, and spend plenty of time on deck rather than in the cabin.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO COME SAILING?
The shoulder seasons are our favorite- May through early June, and late September through October.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT?
10 + years old for charters
16 + years old for sailing school / overnight trips
DO YOU PROVIDE LIFE JACKETS?
Life jackets are provided on board. Additionally, each trip begins with a safety briefing before leaving the dock. If you have your own PFD that you like wearing, please bring it!
DO YOU PROVIDE FOOD/DRINK?
charters & sailing school
No, you should plan to bring any food or drinks you’d like (no glass containers, please).
overnight TRIPS
Food provisions while underway are included. Food/drink while ashore is not included in the price of your trip.
CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD/DRINK?
Yes! You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks aboard. Glass containers are prohibited (we don’t want any broken glass onboard).
Can we swim?
You may swim (at your own risk). Jellyfish season is July-August in the Chesapeake Bay.
CAN I BRING MY DOG/pet?
For the safety of the boat and your pets, dogs are not allowed on board.
IS THERE A BATHROOM ON BOARD?
Vessels are equipped with a small bathroom that includes a sink and a marine toilet.
Tides Inn marina has bathroom facilities.
Can i bring a playlist to listen to while on my trip?
Yep! Connect via bluetooth to our speaker and enjoy your own jams while underway.
CAN I REQUEST A CUSTOM TRIP?
Absolutely. Feel free to reach out here and Captain Clay will be happy to discuss custom options for you.