Do I need prior certifications to join?

Yes—prerequisites apply for the advanced brevet track: intermediate cruising and coastal navigation certificates are required for the advanced level; check with Voile Aventure Gaspésie about equivalent experience.

How do I book and pay the deposit?

Reserve by calling 514-616-7288; a 30% deposit is required and must be paid by Interac as described in the confirmation email.

Is food provided on board?

Food is not included; participants supply their own provisions except a portion for the instructor—plan meals and refrigeration needs in advance.

Where do departures and returns happen?

The meeting point is Voile Aventure Gaspésie in Carleton‑sur‑Mer; specific itinerary depends on weather and tides.

Can I earn a Voile Canada brevet here?

Yes—the course follows Voile Canada standards and can lead to the advanced cruising brevet, subject to exam completion and logbook requirements.

What accommodations are on the boat?

The Catalina 34 has two double cabins and a roomy 12‑foot beam; the course limits trainees to four for comfort and training time.

Advanced 7-Day Sailing Course in Gaspésie: Live-Aboard Navigation & Night Sailing on a Catalina 34 | Sailing | Workshop

On this seven-day live‑aboard course out of Carleton‑sur‑Mer on Québec’s Gaspé Peninsula, Croisière avancée 7 jours (Réservation) from Voile Aventure Gaspésie converts textbook seamanship into practical, offshore experience. Aboard a spacious Catalina 34 with two double cabins and a 12‑foot beam, four students sleep aboard each night while instructors guide planning, sail handling, navigation, and safety work for voyages up to 100 nautical miles from shore. Days mix hands‑on skill drills with multi-scale passages; nights include at least one extensive navigation after dark to practice lights, lanes, and watch systems.

The curriculum follows Voile Canada standards and can lead to an advanced cruising brevet. Instruction covers voyage planning, weather interpretation, helming under sail and engine, crew work, line handling, man‑overboard drills, safety and survival equipment, and theory review with practical assessment. Because the course runs in small groups, each trainee gets repeated wheel time and leadership practice — the difference between reading a chart and steering through an approach in real seas.

Destinations vary with wind and tide: sheltered anchorages in Baie des Chaleurs, jagged headlands near Percé, sheltered coves like l'Anse‑à‑Beaufils, or, when conditions allow, passage to the Îles de la Madeleine. The coastline alternates steep sedimentary cliffs, gravel beaches, and rocky reefs; keep eyes on seabird colonies and harbour seals that frequent nearshore ledges. Weather can change fast; instructors emphasize conservatism and safety first. If sea states preclude distant crossings, the program adapts to intensive coastal passages along the Gaspé’s sheltered bays.

Practical details: the program is seven days and six nights, capped at four participants. Price is listed at 2,099 CAD plus taxes with a 30% deposit required by Interac to confirm a booking; call 514-616-7288 to reserve. Included are bunk accommodation aboard, fuel, and safety gear (PFDs, harnesses, tethers); food, berth fees, bedding, and personal gear are not included — bring a sleeping bag and foul weather clothing.

The meeting point is Voile Aventure Gaspésie in Carleton‑sur‑Mer, and the small group format means instructors tailor the syllabus to prevailing conditions. The Catalina 34 can sleep up to seven but the course limits accommodation to four trainees. Candidates aiming for the Voile Canada advanced brevet should arrive with intermediate certificates, a VHF radio endorsement, and a logbook ready for sign‑off. Expect wet decks, early watches, and lessons that translate to safer cruising and confidence.