Sails & Trails is an adventure travel company started and operated by folks like you: outdoorsy, active, sociable, and who believe adventure is worthwhile in itself. We are a community of people who have discovered we find magic on the sea and wilder patches of land. For us, actively exploring such places is recuperative and inspiring. The other thing we have in common is we want to share this experience with like-minded friends… we hope you will be one of them!
Dave is originally from Savannah Georgia, a town on the east coast of the US in the Deep South. He used to work in capital markets and has started a series of technology ventures, but now he’s the skipper on Sails & Trails adventures. Dave’s an Offshore Yachtmaster accredited by the Royal Yachting Association.
In addition to sailing, Dave’s a keen hiker and talentless photographer.
Francesca is from the Italian Alps, and it shows in her love of mountains and adventure. Fran is a hike leader and “captain when we’re on land.”
She’s learning to sail from Dave and Daniel but can easily keep hiking long after they have passed out from exhaustion.
Daniel grew up by the sea on the Kentish coast where there are challenging waters for sailing and rolling chalk hills for hiking. He’s an RYA instructor, Yachtmaster, and avid hiker so he leads hiking trips and can skipper sailing adventures.
Daniel has worked for years as a marine engineer which brings another crucial talent to the team: the ability to keep things working on the sailboat, no matter what Dave and Fran break.
I have been on three epic adventures with Captain Dave of Sails & Trails. On my first we rigged slacklines between the Red Sands sea forts in the Thames estuary. A couple of years later Dave sailed some of the team to the Isle of Hoy and we rigged a slackline to the famous Old Man of Hoy. I travel the world on expeditions like these with the team at One Inch Dreams and we call Dave our “adventure taxi.” If your expedition involves the sea I can happily recommend you call Dave and book yourself a full service adventure taxi!
What a trip! Great to have a sailing/hiking adventure in such a beautiful part of the world. The group leaders, Dave and Fran, made everyone feel so welcome which set a wonderful foundation for new friendships onboard! A highlight for me was having the opportunity to be behind the wheel of a sailboat whilst going down Loch Ness! Overall a great experience and I am looking forward to having another adventure with Sails & Trails in the future.
Sails & Trails is an amazing way to see Scotland from land and water with a variety of activities available in between such as kayaking, fishing, card games and trivia. We had such an amazing bunch of people on board and so much laughter. It was a privilege to be able to wake up in the morning surrounded by water and scenic views and to go to sleep surrounded by starry night. Thank you Fran and Dave for looking after us so well and for providing this great adventure. It was a dream holiday.
As a keen hiker and very amateur sailor, Sails & Trails was the perfect tonic. The highly professional team loves what they do and want to share it with you. What I really appreciated is that you can tailor your own experience towards learning or leisure. I really wanted to focus on improving my sailing skills which Dave helped with hugely, and with a lot of patience! Francesca could make a walk through a dark room exciting and her love of the outdoors is infectious. Can’t wait for the next one!
What a trip! Great to have a sailing/hiking adventure in such a beautiful part of the world. The group leaders, Dave and Fran, made everyone feel so welcome which set a wonderful foundation for new friendships onboard! A highlight for me was having the opportunity to be behind the wheel of a sailboat whilst going down Lochness! Overall a great experience and I am looking forward to having another adventure with Sails & Trails in the future
Thank you to the Sails & Trails team for a splendid mini adventure. They delivered a perfect combination of picturesque cruising along the lochs and trekking The Great Glen way. I can’t think of a better way to experience Scotland. I’ll be back!
I’ve sailed with Captain Dave of Sails & Trails on several incredible sailing adventures to places like the coast of Normandy and Orkney Isles. I’ve also gone on extended hiking and camping trips with Dave. He’s experienced, cool under pressure, and an all-around good guy. I can highly recommend Captain Dave and Sails & Trails for your next adventure.
