Our Story
Because we often begin our adventures as strangers, we want you to have a head start on getting to know us, your crew!
We also want to tell you a bit about the Sail Northwest story, and how our adventure began!
Sail Northwest LLC
Sail Northwest LLC was formed in 2017 when Brendan purchased Hopscotch. Sail Northwest is our company that owns Hopscotch, and provides the structure for our business. We are registered to do business in Washington State, and Alaska. For the first couple of years we operated out of the rugged and Beautiful San Juan Islands in Washington State. The last few years we have returned to Brendan’s favorite place, Southeast Alaska, and plan on being here for many seasons to come!
Sailing Vessel Hopscotch
SV Hopscotch is our pride and joy! She is 50 ft of adventure, love, sweat, and (occasionally) tears! One thing that makes Hopscotch unique is that she is foreign built (in France), however she has Jones Act Waivers to operate in the waters of Washington State and Alaska. If you’re curious about the Jones Act, and how it applies to commercial vessels please click here. She is a USCG documented vessel, ported out of Skagway, Alaska, and can take up to 6 guests at one time along with crew. Hopscotch is rated as an Ocean Going Vessel (she has crossed the Atlantic) and we take her upkeep and maintenance extremely seriously. We operate Hopscotch in remote areas, and safety is our top priority.
Your Crew: Brendan, Branden, Bri, and Ben
One unique thing about your Hopscotch crew is that they all have their US Coast Guard Captains License. As required by the Coast Guard, they are also all trained in CPR/First Aid, and participate in a Random Drug Testing Program.
Hopscotch operates with a Captain (Always Brendan) and a Chef (we have three chefs that rotate: Branden, Ben, and Bri).
Brendan and Branden (we know… it’s funny) are not just business partners, but also life partners. They have a home in stunning Skagway, Alaska. Branden is also employed as Captain on a beautiful private motor yacht which is currently on the East Coast for a few years, but will be returning to the West Coast in the Winter of 2023. He currently moonlights as chef a week or two per season when his busy Summer schedule allows. Brendan and Branden spend their winters together in Florida (where Branden’s boat is based), with their two pups, Kona and Scout.
Chef Bri lives in spectacular Telluride Colorado with her husband Tim, and their new baby boy Zepher! Bri is currently on Skibattical as she and Tim spend some quality time adventuring with Zep all over the mountain West and Alaska.
Chef Ben calls incredible Bellingham, WA home base. In the off season you’ll most likely find him skiing and mountaineering with his partner Tess and their handsome pup Jack!
Captain Brendan
Born and raised on the Sailish Sea (Puget Sound and the surrounding waters), Brendan has been exploring, playing, and racing sailboats in these waters his whole life. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Earth and Space Science, he'll be happy (excited!) to share with you all he can about the unique geology, biology, and climate of this amazing archipelago of islands.
Brendan has a 200 Ton US Coast Guard Masters License, is a US Sailing Certified Instructor, and has been coaching or teaching sailing for almost two decades. He sits on three separate non-profit sailing Boards, has competed in international regattas around the world at the highest level, and has sailed across the Pacific Ocean three times. There's no place he'd rather be than Southeast Alaska. When he’s not aboard Hopscotch you’ll find him hiking, kiteboarding, and walking Scout and Kona!
Chef Ben
Chef Ben and Brendan have been sailing together for almost 25 years! They grew up racing Lasers (a small sailboat) and traveling together all over North America. After graduation from the University of Washington with a degree in art (it shines through to his culinary creations!) Ben spent more than a decade traveling and working at some of the finest resorts and wilderness lodges in Montana, Wyoming and Alaska. He and Brendan have also sailed the inside Passage (ben also has Kayaked the inside Passage!) and crossed the Pacific Ocean together.
Chef Bri
Chef Bri hails from the North Eastern corner of the continental US the lovely state of Maine. In the idyllic waters, and rugged islands off Maine’s coast, Bri operated her own charter boat, a 100- year old wooden schooner. She often finds herself returning to Maine to see friends and family when her busy schedule allows!
Bri has more sea miles under her belt than most salty old sailors would even dare to exaggerate about! She has sailed from Panama to Hawaii (with Captain Brendan), paddled the entire Inside Passage (80 days from Juneau, Alaska to Seattle, Washington) in a single-person kayak, spent a semester at sea on –board a Tall Ship, sailed delivery yachts up and down the Atlantic coast from Canada to Central America, and managed charter boats (and restaurants) in the Caribbean.
She has also worked on first class charter yachts in Southeast Alaska, and at luxury lodges in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Despite spending most of her life on or near the water, Bri still found time to become a certified Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, US Coast Guard Licensed Captain, and an amazing Chef!
Bri’s culinary creations reflect her personality and perspective on life: fresh, bright, adventurous, healthy, and always delightful!
Chef Branden
Chef Branden hails from “The Other Corner,” warm and sunny Florida. A true Water-Man at heart, Branden is just as happy in the water (diving, swimming, spearfishing) as he is on top of it, sailing, surfing, and hauling in the evening’s dinner. Along with being an amazing Chef, Branden also holds a 200 Ton Masters (Captain) License.
After school, Branden searched for white sands and clean waves traveling, living, and working in Central America for a year. His experience abroad as well as his family-wide roots in the culinary field sparked his interest in creative and delicious cuisine, and ignited a passion for combining his love of cooking with the “boating lifestyle."
Branden’s early experience in the charter world includes guiding fishing trips in the everglades, working on charter yachts in the Caribbean, and leading Eco tours in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.
When Branden is not on Hopscotch he captains a private 85’ Yacht for a family. They are currently spending the Summers cruising the waters of New England, and the Winters in Florida/Bahamas. The yacht will return to the West Coast in the summer of 2023. Branden makes his way to Alaska for several weeks during the busy Summer Season.
