GREAT LAKES SAILING CO.
PRESENTS THE 2024  
~Unsalted Sailing Flotilla~
June 21-25, 2025

“Wherever The Wind Takes Us”

June 21-25, 2025

(Saturday through Wednesday)

Join the Flotilla!  Bareboat charter, Hire a Captain or take a Special ASA Course with an instructor along the way.

We’re excited to explore the islands, anchorages and harbor towns in our area with the safety and comradery of flotilla-style sailing. This year we’re taking more of a purist approach and ditching the itinerary in exchange for a more flexible schedule that allows for more sailing and less motoring. Pretty much what sailing is all about.  

Your flotilla leaders are Ken & Kimberli Bindschatel who have led the flotilla many times before and are well versed with “herding cats” and keeping everyone involved. Captain Kimberli will offer her expert guidance and provide plenty of learning opportunities.

Captain Paul Davis will be conducting an ASA 104 class along the way. Paul Davis is also an ASA instructor and has been on many of the Unsalted Sailing Flotilla events. Paul and his students will follow the fleet combining the learning and cruising experience. 

THE PLAN

  • FRIDAY AFTERNOON
    Early boarding and provisioning followed by reception cocktails and chart briefing.
  • SATURDAY MORNING
    Boat systems briefings to get you well familiarized with your boat. Then cast off. Let the adventure begin!
  • WHERE TO?
    All depends on Mother Nature. Suttons Bay, Northport, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Power Island, Ingalls Bay, Omema, and Old Mission are all very good possibilities during the event. Maybe even venture up to Petoskey area or Boyne City.

    Along the way we’ll take in the restaurants and wineries, beaches, quaint towns and incredible scenery. It’s a good balance of group activity and time set aside for just you and your crew.

    Most destinations will have both a marina option and an anchoring out option for the overnight but marinas can be full so anchoring might be the only option at times. Be sure to bring along your dinghy and propane grill for the real cruising experience.

Cruising flotilla-style is a great way to meet people and see the area. You’ll get the local knowledge while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow sailors. The fleet will stay in touch via group text and VHF radio and will be sharing photos and videos on a special Facebook page set up for the event. Each morning you can dinghy over to the host boat to discuss the next destination or meet in the marina clubhouse. Or sleep in and check in via text or radio! Sail during the day, maybe stop and explore some islands and beaches along the way and then check out the local restaurants or have a fleet cookout in the evening. 

THE TWISTED SHEET REGATTA

Even cruising sailors can’t help but to trim the sails and go faster. At some point during the flotilla we will announce that the next destination will be a race! And the winning boat gets their name on the coveted “Twisted Sheet Regatta” trophy on display in the GLSC office. And of course bragging rights. Each boat will get a perf rating to make it fair and unfair antics that give an advantage are always encouraged.

5-Day ASA 104 “FLOTILLA STYLE”

Normally taught as a 3-day course, this extended 5-day course offers a more relaxed pace covering cruise planning, mechanical and electrical systems, advanced anchoring techniques, more in-depth navigation, heavy weather tactics as well as the live aboard experience. Preparing you for that bareboat charter or for further cruising on your own boat. Provisioning (food and beverage) is not included in the course cost but provisioning is split between students after a discussion on the topic with the instructor. 

Private 104 Flotilla course pricing is for 2-4 students (depending on sleeping cabins).  The boat is for just you and your crew.   

Book a Cabin course pricing is a private cabin, double occupancy (up to 2 people).  It will be a boat with three private cabins so the captain and another couple/single would be in the other two cabins. 

Pricing includes the boat and a captain / instructor for 5 days, dinghy with outboard motor, propane grill, marina dockage, fuel and pump out fees. Does not include meals, linens, captain tip or state sales tax. ASA text books and certification fees are an additional $100 per person so if you bring crew that isn’t interested in getting the ASA certifications, they don’t have to pay this additional fee.  

7-Day ASA 101/103 “FLOTILLA STYLE”

Starting two days before the Flotilla kicks off, get your 101/103 ASA certification at a slower pace and soak up the festivities along the way.

Thursday & Friday – Instruction each day, you’ll be returning to our docks the first two days, class ending around 4pm so you’ll have plenty of time to see the area after class. During these two days, you’ll learn the basics. The Flotilla reception kicks off Friday evening and you’ll meet the rest of the sailors.

Saturday – Monday – You and your Captain/Instructor will sail with the Flotilla port-to-port, soaking in the festivities and the scenery while you finish your 101/103 certification.  

Tuesday & Wednesday – You continue to sail with the Flotilla port-to-port ON YOUR OWN! The Captain/Instructor leaves the boat and you are in charge, so it’s just you and your crew finishing the Flotilla.

This is a great course that gives you a little bit of everything: learn the basics, cruise with a captain and then finish on your own to develop confidence. All while enjoying the comradery of Flotilla-Style sailing! Private boat pricing only.

Private 101/103 Flotilla Course Pricing is for 2-4 students (depending on sleeping cabins).

Pricing includes the boat for 7 days and a captain / instructor for 5 days, dinghy with outboard motor, propane grill, marina dockage, fuel and pump out fees. Does not include meals, linens, captain tip or state sales tax. ASA text books and certification fees are an additional $100 per person so if you bring crew that isn’t interested in getting the ASA certifications, they don’t have to pay this additional fee.