The adventure of learning to sail is about getting out of your comfort zone and learning something new. Our mission is to understand your expectations and overcome your fears so you can take in as much knowledge as possible during the trip. When you board the vessel, the first step is to truly comprehend the motivator behind your desire to learn to sail. Typically, there is passion in the reason for taking on this challenge. We carefully listen and customize the experience to exceed your expectations. We hope you will feel well taken care of and prepared to sail anywhere.
Premium Yachts and Expert ASA Instruction, combined with Preparation for Hands-on Learning.
We are a Virgin Islands sailing school providing first class premium sailing instruction based on the American Sailing Association standards (ASA) on learn to sail vacations in the Virgin Islands. At Go Sail Virgin Islands, we have very high standards for the quality of your experience.
- We only use boats that are well maintained with air conditioning, generators, and water makers.
- We only hire and retain the best talent who are USCG Captains /ASA instructors with advanced experience sailing, teaching ASA courses, and local knowledge of the Virgin Islands and beyond.
- We care for and protect the Virgin Islands for all to enjoy.
- We customize and adapt each course so it is designed for you.
- We prioritze communication and support with technology through and beyond your ASA Bareboat Certification to Advanced Courses and Bareboat Charters.
Our policy is once your sail with us, you are our part of our crew forever. This means we are a constant resource through your sailing journey. We offer special discounts to ASA members when you a bareboat charter with us. Charter companies like to see the students have completed courses with Go Sail Virgin Islands because they know you are competent.
We want you to start your journey with confidence and the best knowledge you can get!
Meet our Captains & Crew!
We look forward to sailing with you! Our main goals are to prepare you to Bareboat Charter, adventure, and explore, as well as help you build your confidence, gain experience, and master the sailing skills, all while showing you the BEST sailing destination in the world. Be ready to plan your adventures and sail anywhere…
Captain JT Quinn
“I have sailed to every island in the Caribbean”
Captain JT first started sailing while living in New Zealand. He is an expert American Sailing instructor. It is worth mentioning he has instructed over 60 ASA courses, to hundreds of students in the Virgin Islands. He is a kind patient knowledgeable Captain who is fun and excellent at snorkeling! He brings not only years of cruising experience from the Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Spanish Virgin Islands, he has also spent time working on yachts all along the Atlantic Coast, Caribbean, and the Med. He has crossed the Atlantic Ocean, sailed to every island in the Caribbean, and transited the Panama Canal. Whether it’s long, open water passages or cruising the islands, JT loves to share his stories and knowledge about sailing. Check out his 5 star reviews on google.
JT holds a USCG license, RYA Yacht master, and is a certified ASA instructor.
Captain Trevon Baker
“Everyone learns a great deal while having a great time!”
Trevon’s introduction to sailing was on Flathead Lake in Montana. He was asked by a client to come crew on a sailboat during a club race and was hooked on sailing from that moment on. Thirty years later, he continues to race, teaching new crew members every season. He has sailed the San Juan Islands, Mexico, Florida and the Virgin Islands. He is an expert American Sailing Instructor and as USCG Captain License, furthering his passion to share the sailing lifestyle. Previous clients have so appreciated his sailing knowledge and teaching style, citing that he is knowledgeable, patient, considerate, and encouraging. Not to mention his sense of humor and stories! Check out his 5 star reviews on google.
Captain Trevon holds a USCG Master 50 ton, sailing and towing endorsements with STCW and is a certified Advanced ASA instructor for 201/203/204/205/206/214/218
Captain Jalil Jacallen
“We’ll go where you want to, and do the things you’ve been dreaming of.”
Captain Jalil grew up in Alaska, the son of an engineer on ocean-going tugs and fishing vessels. Captain learned to sail in the Åbo archipelago in Finland while in grad school, and has been sailing his own boats ever since. In 2017 he retired early from software consulting and started sailing professionally right here in St Thomas, USVI. He is a USCG licensed captain (OUPV) and an ASA certified instructor 201/203/204/214. The Captain has made several off shore passages to share stories about. He is very knowledgeable about the local history and ecology, and loves to share sea time with fellow enthusiasts of wind, water, and wildlife.
Check out his 5 star reviews on google.
USCG Master Captain and Expert American Sailing Instructor.
Captain Genevieve Evans
“Salt is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, and the sea.”
Captain Genevieve is the founder of Go Sail Virgin Islands. As the lead instructor trainer for Go Sail VI, Evans trains the Captains to be expert instructors. Captain G feels that good sailing captains are good leaders with communication, understanding, empathy, planning, organizing, listening, and command of the situation.
There is no right and wrong in sailing, only a learning journey.
Captain G is originally from Montana. She has raced, taught, and sailed in Montana, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Martinique, St. Lucia, the Bahamas, and Belize on small and large cruising monohulls and catamarans for over a decade.
Captain Genevieve holds a 50 TON Near Costal USCG license and is an ASA Master Instructor with STCW II/3.
First Mate Stephanie
“I like help out wherever I can”
Stephanie grew up in the land of 10,000 Lakes AKA, Minnesota. Her summers were spent boating, swimming, fishing, or catching sun rays at the beach with friends. She has always loved being on or near the water, it’s her “happy place”. Now she lives in Montana near Flathead Lake and spends her summers sailboat racing with her better half, on their J24 “Sisu”. She was introduced to sailing a few years ago when Trevon said “Let’s race in the Montana Cup Regatta” She received a crash course in sailing and racing that weekend and has been enjoying it ever since. After spending time in the Virgin Islands, she’s hooked! She looks forward to every charter as an exciting new adventure to explore the islands and make new friends.
Assistant Manager Lizzy
“It’s hard not to sound like I’m bragging when talking about my job”
Lizzy grew up sailing on Flathead Lake in Montana. She started from a young age with her grandparents. When the opportunity arose for her to work a seasonal job with Go Sail Flathead Lake, she knew she couldn’t pass it up. Since joining us in the summer of 2023, Lizzy has gone on to receive a few ASA Certifications, traveled to Annapolis for the annual sailboat show, and has plans to travel to the Virgin Islands to receive the rest of her certifications. She’s hoping to one day get her Instructors License and join the crew down in the VI!
We sincerely hope you will join us for an amazing adventure. Check out these itinerary options.
Go Sail Virgin Islands’ 5-star reviews on USVI and BVI Yacht Charters say it all ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Go Sail Virgin Islands provided, my daughter and me, the best possible sailing, learning, and entertaining island and water experience. We achieved our goal of learning and getting certified to charter a bare boat in the most realistic and satisfying way. Captain Genevieve chartered for the ASA classes the appropriate boat for our experiences and desires. Captain Trevon, as our instructor and Captain, quietly assumed responsibility for the wellbeing of his crew and ship. At all times he checked on our actions, and made sure we were proceeding according to the rules and spirit of seamanship. First Mate Stephanie provided us with healthy, tasteful meals, great pictures and videos, and a reassuring graceful presence. The trip was organized as a sail around the US Virgin Islands, as a captain and crew would do in a sailing, exploration, and vacation setting. The one week trip could be replicated as a two weeks’ vacation in USVI, just by expanding the times spent in various places and adding more entertainment and recreation activities. For the aspiring Captains this is, in my opinion, the best first step to take in order to learn, experience, and practice chartering and coastal sailing a blue water vessel. Go Sail Virgin Islands has provided a professional, reasonable priced, and meaningful experience, enabling us to achieve our goals. I would highly and sincerely recommend Go sail Virgin Islands to all aspiring sailors of any level of experience for its classes and trips. Captain Genevieve is one of the best persons to guide and help anyone in the sailing world. It is an honor and a privilege to work with her anytime, anywhere.
– Edi S | Google
It felt like a lot of growth happening in just a few days and each day felt pleasantly long but not overdone and there was something to be learned throughout the day.
– Marc G | Google
We had a great experience with Captain Genevieve at Go Sail Virgin Islands. Captain Genevieve kept us up to date and provided alot of good advise preparing and planning for the charter and the ASA training. She took all of the guess work and uncertainties away which made for a great sailing experience. We will definitely use Captain Genevieve for our future ASA classes and future bareboat charters. My wife and I cannot say enough good things about the ASA Sailing Instructor Captain Jalil Jacallen. His instruction was top notch. He was organized and he explained everything clearly so we felt very comfortable during the hands on sailing of the 44 Leopard. His knowledge of sailing is quite impressive. He answered all of our questions and provided plenty of time to practice. He is very patient and calm allowing us to learn how to sail and develop confidence as sailors.
– Mark M | Google
It is a unique experience going from reading your manual, practicing the skills and then wrapping up the afternoon swimming with sea turtles. We took our student level in 2015 and then in 2021 we came back for our instructor course.
– Matt F | Google
I completed ASA 103 -114 with Captain Jalil and the only thing that surpassed his patience and passion for sailing was his expertise! A great week building and refining skills in a safe but challenging environment. I recommend Go Sail Virgin Islands without hesitation!
– Michael S | Google
My wife and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time learning to sail with Go Sail Virgin Islands. Captain Jalil was awesome! He has a relaxed and comfortable manner, that allowed us to learn the ropes without making us feel pressured or nervous. He’s also a great cook and makes a delicious painkiller! On top of that, he’s also a wealth of information on the area—knows all the best places for snorkeling and dining. We made this trip with another couple, who are friends of ours, and the instigators of this trip as a steppingstone for future bareboat chartering and possibly owning their own catamaran. Three of us completed the ASA 103, 104, and 114 classes, and the fourth, who already had some previous classes/experience, completed ASA 106 and 118. I feel confident that, after these classes and hands on learning with captain Jalil, we will be able to do it mostly on our own next time. All in all, this was a wonderful vacation and experience, and will open up a whole new set of possibilities for future exploration. Thank you Go Sail VI and Captain Jalil!
– Mike G | Google
Great experience, boat and instructor/ captain... would thoroughly recommend!
– Rob U | Google
It was nice to meet new people from other backgrounds in sailing, as well as parts of the country, and learn from them as well since it’s an interactive sport. It was great to have that ability to bounce things off of people and learn from each other.
– Todd F | Google
Attended a great 6 day catamaran sailing course in the USVI. Our instructor JT Quinn was top notch! Highly recommend!
– Trish M | Google
We took the Cruising couples ASA course through Go Sail Virgin Islands. Our captain/instructor was J.T. He is a wonderful teacher. Great sense of humour. Very patient with everyone. A super experience. Thank you J.T.
– Wendy T | Google
I had an amazing week of sailing and exploring the US Virgin Islands with Go Sail Virgin Islands and Captain Genevieve Evans. First and foremost, Captain G is a wonderful and knowledgeable teacher. She thoroughly explained concepts and maneuvers, demonstrating them as well, and then gave us the opportunity to practice throughout the week. She was extremely patient and helped to build my confidence behind the helm tremendously. Additionally, she knows the best spots on each island and made the trip not just about learning and growing as a sailor, but also enjoying time away. I will never forget this trip- if you have the opportunity to learn with Go Sail and Captain G, you won’t regret it. Thanks again Captain G for an absolutely perfect adventure!
– Sara V | Google
The whole experience did not disappoint—truly a wonderful life memory. The boat was in nice condition and served us well. Captain J T Quinn was absolutely fantastic at teaching us and was so easy to have around. And doubled as a tour guide. We would recommend it to anyone.
– Matt B | Google
We took the week live aboard sailing lessons for ASA 101,103,104,114 and it was awesome. Sailed around USVI. Our instructor JT was thorough and a pleasure to be with. Thank you for an awesome experience. Already booked our next sailing excursion as a skipper!
– Stephanie B | Trip Advisor
Just spent a week with Capt. Genevieve navigating around the USVI, a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience. Her teaching style a perfect mix of coaching and hands-on, building my ability and confidence with each passing day. Completed ASA Sailing Certifications 101 103 104 114, such that I’ll look forward to returning next season to charter a boat with my family. We also visited their favorite moorages, snorkeling sites, and places to go ashore for food and fun. Even better, they both provide great hospitality with tasty food, a comfortable boat, and good company.
– Larry C | Google
My family and I sailed with Captain JT Quinn, who provided excellent instruction and is just an all-around good guy. While I went through the hands-on ASA instructions for 101, 103, 104, and 114, my family was able to enjoy cruising around the USVI and BVI. Every afternoon, we would anchor or moor in a bay where we would swim, snorkel, paddle board, and relax for the evening. I was nervous after reading the 4 books and preparing but JT made it really comfortable and easy to learn. He's very knowledgeable and answered every question I had. We shared stories and a lot of laughs. He and Go Sail VI aren't just teaching people to sail, they are cultivating a community of sailors. That's what it's all about in the end — knowing how to
– Tom G. | Google
I can’t believe how much we learned while sailing with Captain G and Trevon! They explained everything so well and really helped us understand the art of sailing. We now feel confident to bareboat our own charter soon! This was definitely the way to earn our sailing experience.
– Ashley S | Trip Advisor
Our week-long catamaran sailing instruction for ASA 106, 114 and 118 certifications was phenomenal! We chartered a week-long monohull instruction for our ASA 101, 103 and 104 certifications in Florida a year prior. There was no comparison with our Go Sail Virgin Islands live aboard experience far exceeding our expectations. Sweet & Salty, the 44' cat, was spacious, clean and well provisioned. Trevon is an exceptional instructor. He has a depth of knowledge and experience, was patient and tailored his coaching to our individual needs. Thanks for the learnings, experience and memories! Shirley, Eric and Jeff
– Shirley E. | Trip Advisor
The folks at Go Sail Virgin Islands are wonderful to deal with! From my first inquiry they were very responsive and attentive with clear and timely proactive communications. They provided all the information I needed, including pricing with no hidden fees, in order for me to make an informed decision, and with no pressure. They delivered on every promise and exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them whether you want to charter or learn, or both. Captain Jalil has years and years of sailing experiences (in addition to a multitude of other interesting life experiences) that have provided him with a wealth knowledge that he humbly shares. He is gentle, kind, clear, wise, practical and is a very good communicator and chef! Without yelling or shaming, he explains and encourages with patience and enthusiasm to help his students understand the “in and outs” and “how’s and why’s of sailing at any level. You will not be disappointed!
– Paul H | TripAdvisor
My husband and I had been looking for a company to learn to sail with. He is experienced and I am not. From the start the owner made everything seem so easy and seamless. We initially picked this company because we could study ahead and spend the time on the boat with practical things. Out captain JT was AMAZING and we will be using his again when we charter out next cruise. He allowed up ample hands on time and was very knowledgeable. If you did not comprehend something one way he explained it he was so patient and tried another approach. We adored him. Don't hesitate to use this company.
– Dee W | TripAdvisor
We just completed an amazing sailing course with Go Sail Virgin Islands completing ASA 103, 104 &114. Captain Trevon and his first mate Stephanie were outstanding. Trevon’s knowledge and experience was exceptional as was his teaching ability. Stephanie provide first class food and assistance with procedures during our 7 day course. Also their company and off shore visits was very much appreciated and made for an enjoyable life time experience 👏👏
– Chris F | TripAdvisor