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HOW WE GOT HERE
HOW WE GOT HERE
Pelagic Blue grew from a shared obsession with the ocean and two very different professional paths that eventually brought us to the same place.
We came to cruising through careers in marine science, expedition work, and conservation education. Along the way, we learned that being a capable ocean cruiser takes far more than just knowing how to sail. It takes an understanding of your boat, your crew, your goals, the environment around you, and yourself. And most importantly, the ability to trust each other and make good decisions when things don't go according to plan.
Between us, we've logged more than 80,000 ocean miles, worked and led expeditions in remote marine environments, maintained and upgraded cruising boats, and spent years teaching sailors how to prepare for life offshore and at sea.
PELAGIC BLUE IS WHERE ALL THAT EXPERIENCE CONVERGES
PELAGIC BLUE IS WHERE ALL THAT EXPERIENCE CONVERGES
FROM MARINE SCIENCE TO OCEAN CRUISING
FROM MARINE SCIENCE TO OCEAN CRUISING
Before cruising became our full-time life, we both built careers around the ocean.
Our work in marine science and expedition leadership took us to far-flung reaches of the globe where preparation, observation, problem solving, and adaptability were not optional. They were part of the job. Those experiences sharpened our focus on details, anticipating what could go wrong, and staying flexible through dynamic conditions.
When we decided to make cruising our life, we knew sailing was only one piece of the puzzle.
We deliberately expanded our technical skills by completing professional training and earning industry certifications through Skagit Valley College's Marine Maintenance Technology program. From diesel engines and electrical systems to marine electronics and the interwoven issues that ultimately become your responsibility when you're far from shore.
That combination of ocean experience, scientific training, technical expertise, and expedition leadership became the foundation for Pelagic Blue.
EXPERIENCE THAT GOES BEYOND SAILING
EXPERIENCE THAT GOES BEYOND SAILING
We've sailed extensively throughout the Pacific, including Alaska, British Columbia, Hawai‘i, Mexico, the Galápagos, French Polynesia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Easter Island, and other remote cruising grounds.
We've also spent years working and leading expeditions in places where weather changes, equipment fails, plans evolve, and there isn't a boatyard or a skilled technician for thousands of miles.
Those experiences shape how we approach cruising and how we teach it.
GIO CAPPELLI
GIO CAPPELLI
Instructor · Expedition Leader
Instructor · Expedition Leader
Gio brings a systems-first approach to offshore cruising. He's an ABYC-certified Marine Diesel & Systems Technician and graduate of the Marine Maintenance Technology program, with a focus on troubleshooting, seamanship, and helping sailors understand the equipment they depend on at sea.
His background in fisheries biology and marine operations, combined with thousands of miles at sea, gives him a perspective that connects the big picture with the practical details of keeping a boat and crew moving.
He is also a USCG Master and former government boating instructor.
JULIE CAPPELLI
JULIE CAPPELLI
Instructor · Expedition Leader
Instructor · Expedition Leader
Julie combines extensive offshore cruising and expedition leadership with a professional background in marine biology and conservation, and now marine electrical systems and electronics. She is a USCG Master, ABYC-certified Marine Electrical Technician, and an NMEA-certified marine electronics and NMEA 2000 installer.
Her career in marine science and conservation included years working in remote habitats, managing teams, and solving problems where preparation and dynamic logistics mattered most.
Today, she brings that same practical mindset to cruising, marine systems, education, and expedition leadership.
WE TEACH WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
WE TEACH WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
We're both National Geographic Certified Field Educators and have taught through Skagit Valley College's Cruisers College, Cruisers University at the Annapolis Boat Show, Boat Show University at the Seattle Boat Show, American Sailing, and our own seminars, workshops, and sail training expeditions.
We're both National Geographic Certified Field Educators and have taught through Skagit Valley College's Cruisers College, Cruisers University at the Annapolis Boat Show, Boat Show University at the Seattle Boat Show, American Sailing, and our own seminars, workshops, and sail training expeditions.
We want you to understand why something matters, practice it yourself, and develop the judgment to adapt when circumstances change. Ultimately, that is the skill which offshore cruising places the highest demand on.
We want you to understand why something matters, practice it yourself, and develop the judgment to adapt when circumstances change. Ultimately, that is the skill which offshore cruising places the highest demand on.
WE TEACH FOR THE MOMENT WHEN YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN
WE TEACH FOR THE MOMENT WHEN YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN
Anyone can teach you how to sail. The harder, and more important part, is teaching you how to think through a situation you've never encountered before. That's why we develop those capabilities through practical, experiential training led by instructors who bring deep expertise and a commitment to teaching what actually matters most at sea.
Our training emphasizes hands-on participation, teamwork, systems knowledge, decision-making, and problem-solving. We want you to practice the skills, refine your judgment, and learn how to think through the unexpected.
WE WANT YOU TO LEAVE KNOWING:
WE WANT YOU TO LEAVE KNOWING:
What your boat is telling you
What the weather is telling you
What conditions you can expect
What could go wrong
What you can do about it
When it's time to change the plan
Eventually, when you realize your cruising dreams and set sail for distant horizons, it'll just be you, your crew, your boat, and the pelagic blue sea. We want you to be ready for that.
Eventually, when you realize your cruising dreams and set sail for distant horizons, it'll just be you, your crew, your boat, and the pelagic blue sea. We want you to be ready for that.
A LEGACY WORTH CARRYING FORWARD
A LEGACY WORTH CARRYING FORWARD
For decades, John Neal's Mahina Expeditions and Offshore Services program set the standard for practical offshore education. We were deeply influenced by that tradition, and a testament to its merit in preparing aspiring cruisers for successful ocean voyaging.
After decades of leading offshore training expeditions and seminars, John entrusted us with continuing the sail training expedition and offshore cruising seminar programs he built through Mahina.
We are honored to carry that tradition forward.
We're building on what came before our own experience, our own approach to education, and our own vision for what offshore preparation training demands. A new generation of offshore education, grounded in decades of experience.
EXPERIENCE, SHARED.
EXPERIENCE, SHARED.
WE DON'T JUST TEACH IT. WE WRITE ABOUT IT.
WE DON'T JUST TEACH IT. WE WRITE ABOUT IT.
We've written and developed educational resources to help sailors prepare for the realities of cruising, from ocean voyage planning and marine systems to provisioning, goal setting, and managing life aboard. And we continue to share our expertise through publications, seminars, workshops, online classes, and hands-on instruction.
WANT MORE PRACTICAL CRUISING RESOURCES?
WANT MORE PRACTICAL CRUISING RESOURCES?
Get free access to the Pelagic Blue Cruising Resource Library. A collection of checklists, guides, workbooks, ebooks, and other resources designed to help you prepare for cruising.
Get free access to the Pelagic Blue Cruising Resource Library. A collection of checklists, guides, workbooks, ebooks, and other resources designed to help you prepare for cruising.
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
"I learned more in the 10 days than I had in the last year of racing. From setting up preventers, whisker poles, wind angles, and wildlife! Going on trip with them is not only like sailing with two amazing professionals, but also like sailing with your own nature guides!
I can’t recommend their services enough, I’d do it again in a heartbeat, and can’t wait for the marine electrical class. My wife and I will be continuing to work with PBCS in the coming years as we hunt for our own bluewater boat."
-Charlie D. / West Coast Vancouver Island Training Expedition
WHAT'S NEXT?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Whether you are preparing for your first offshore passage, sharpening your skills, or looking for experienced guidance for your cruising plans, we can help.
Whether you are preparing for your first offshore passage, sharpening your skills, or looking for experienced guidance for your cruising plans, we can help.
EXPEDITIONS
EXPEDITIONS
Join us aboard a sail training expedition designed to help you become a capable cruiser through hands-on learning and experience in dynamic ocean conditions.
Join us aboard a sail training expedition designed to help you become a capable cruiser through hands-on learning and experience in dynamic ocean conditions.
Every expedition is totally focused on preparing you to own, operate, and maintain a modern cruising yacht anywhere in the world.
Every expedition is totally focused on preparing you to own, operate, and maintain a modern cruising yacht anywhere in the world.
SEMINARS & CLASSES
SEMINARS & CLASSES
Check out our upcoming schedule of classes and seminars on offshore cruising, seamanship, marine systems, and how to make cruising safer and more rewarding.
Check out our upcoming schedule of classes and seminars on offshore cruising, seamanship, marine systems, and how to make cruising safer and more rewarding.
CONSULTING
CONSULTING
From boat selection and systems upgrades to refitting, outfitting, and cruising preparation and planning, get expert guidance preparing for the realities of life at sea.
From boat selection and systems upgrades to refitting, outfitting, and cruising preparation and planning, get expert guidance preparing for the realities of life at sea.
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Browse and download books, logbooks, guides, blogs, workbooks, handouts, podcasts, and other invaluable practical resources to help you become a more capable cruiser.
Browse and download books, logbooks, guides, blogs, workbooks, handouts, podcasts, and other invaluable practical resources to help you become a more capable cruiser.
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