Cruise-n-Learn Sailing International
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John and Amber Ensley are avid sailors, cruisers and entrepreneurs.
They founded Cruise-n-Learn Sailing International to to help aspiring sailors earn internationally recognized sailing certifications and licenses while developing competence as sailors and skippers.
They were neighbors and friends almost 20 years ago and then through happenstance ran into each other again in 2020. It just so happened they were both single and sparks turned to flames and flames to fire! They were married, barefoot, on a beach, in 2021.
When they started dating, John said, “hey, this sailing thing is a pretty big deal in my life” and next thing Amber knew, she was out on a boat getting her ASA certifications! Many miles have passed under the keel since then
They bring a unique blend of passion for sailing and cruising, big servant’s hearts and a hard won business savvy from years of experience building businesses and serving customers across a wide range of industries.
John’s first sailing experience was at age 11 sailing little sunfish sailboats at Big Lake Youth Camp in Central Oregon.
As an adult, he really got into sailing in 2005, after a random invitation to the Portland, Oregon boat show.
He completed his ASA Basic Keelboat course on the Columbia River and then a few months later, Basic Coastal, Bareboat and Catamaran in Belize.
When you start sailing with Cruise-n-Learn Sailing, you will hear the story (among many stories!) of John’s sailing journey with his sailing mentors, racing in the Puget Sound with Capt. Jack and Cruising the Pacific Coast of Mexico with “Crazy Jim.”
John holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master credential (Captain’s license), has been a professional sailing instructor since 2016, the sailing school director for an ASA school in La Paz, Mexico since 2018, is a recipient of American Sailing’s prestigious, “outstanding instructor of the year” award,” and has helped hundreds of new sailors begin their own sailing and cruising journeys.
Amber is an amazing project manager and Cruise-n-Learn Sailing’s chief problem solver!
While Amber has only been sailing for a few years, she has logged quite a number of days at sea in that time, joining John on many multi-day liveaboard classes!
Amber is very familiar with breaking the mold! Her background is as a home builder, including a company she co-founded to design, develop and sell a complex, waterfront, residential community. A woman owner in the construction business is quite uncommon and not for the faint of heart!
True to her nature, the project and her business was wildly successful, but aside from that Amber learned how to solve any problem and find her way over, around, under or straight through, any obstacle!
We call her our “HSLIC” because she keeps the “business of sailing” operating smoothly and, of course, she keeps all of us around here on our toes and minding our P’s and Q’s!
Just like the best way to learn a new language is to sign up for a language immersion program, the best way to become a competent sailor and skipper is to sign up for a Cruise-n-Learn Sailing Immersion Program!
Immerse yourself in sailing with our easy, subscription-based sailing immersion program. It includes:
Access to sailing and top-notch sailing education has never been this easy and affordable!
Having taught sailing under other systems for years, we can tell you NauticEd’s online, state-of-the-art, multi-media, sailing theory and knowledge training system is far superior to anything else out there!
Couples: We offer customized, private sailing courses, focused on the unique challenges and rewards of learning to sail and sailing with a spouse or partner.
Families: We also can create customized, private courses focused on families and the unique dynamics and joys of sailing as a family unit.
Groups: Ask us about creating a customized, sailing program focused on team building, adventure, and camaraderie for your group or team.
Skill & Confidence Building: Join any available group, Cruise-n-Learn Sailing 1-week adventure to develop more on-the-water experience, skills and confidence.
Discover Sailing: Come aboard as a passenger on any of our available group, 1-week, Cruise-n-Learn Sailing Adventures to get a taste of the cruising life and see how it suits you
While we think you just can’t beat the NauticEd sail training system, in combination with our Sailing Immersion Program or 1-week Cruise-n-Learn Sailing Courses, we are still active ASA instructors too and we work in collaboration with a number of ASA sailing schools.
Schedule a 1-week, Group, Cruise-n-Learn Sailing, ASA Certification combo course in the San Juan Islands, WA, Gulf Islands, BC, The Sea of Cortez, Mexico or ask us about courses at other world-wide sailing destinations.
Combo courses include ASA 101 (Keelboat 1), ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising), or add ASA 114 (Cruising Catamarans) to your course.
As part of any of our programs, we can also fully train and prepare you to pass what’s called a “challenge” of the ASA Bareboat course (ASA 104). Upon passing the challenge with an American Sailing affiliate school, you will receive all three core ASA certifications (ASA 101, 103, 104).
Contact us today for options and pricing or Click the button below to view our Availability Calendar for current opportunities…
Built in the genuine JEANNEAU tradition, the SUN ODYSSEY 45.2 is one of the brightest jewels of JEANNEAU’s SUN ODYSSEY line of cruising sailboats.
She represents the harmonious balance between performance, comfort, and elegance, with fine entry lines, a responsive and quick hull, and an unencumbered deck layout.
A sea kindly cruising yacht with spacious with luxury interior woodwork. With 3 cabins and 3 heads, she is the perfect sail training vessel.
Imagine’s features include dual steering and an exterior sail locker, leaving more space available in the interior. The DuFour has a complete set of electronics including GPS, Auto Pilot, wind meter, depth sounder, electric winches, 4 staterooms, 2 full bathrooms and 3 showers. Hot water heater, cabin fans, freezer, oven, BBQ grill
The Fountaine Pajot Belize 43 is a luxurious and elegant catamaran that perfectly combines performance and comfort. She features a spacious and well-appointed interior, with multiple cabins, a fully equipped kitchen and a bright salon offering panoramic views.
