How do we keep adding stars! From the time we met Jette and Jon, we felt right at home and spoiled. Sailing the San Juans was a dream come true, but little did we know how wonderful every single day would be. Attention to every detail from warm coffee mugs to fill our fresh coffee at 7am to gourmet lunches and dinners, and of course desserts. We had a wonderful time. Jon and Jette are the most gracious hosts, who now we consider friends. Jon keeping us safe and informed of the wildlife and sealife, but also taking us on hikes on islands only accessible by boat. Jette with her great sense of humor surprising us at every turn with a new talent from gourmet cooking, writing songs, playing her guitar and sharing her doodles are a few of the many talents she revealed to us. And then there is Geni, sweet Geni, their portugese water "boat" dog. We instantly fell in love and could not get enough of her. I don't now the last time I felt so relaxed and pampered. Thank you Jette and Jon for the wonderul memories! We are looking forward to returning next year! To anyone considering Sailing the San Juans - this is your charter! You will have the time of your life! read more

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From the moment you step onto the Northwind, take in every single second you can!! Every second--every peaceful moment, every sweet and savory bite Captain Jette serves, every bit of island trivia Captain Jon offers--as you sail calmly past thick green forests dotted with specks of white the resident bald eagles offer in the form of head and tail. This is truly an adventure awaiting! If you have ever wanted to sail but don't know how, just leave the sailing, cooking, and swabbing of the decks to Jette and Jon. They love to help make wonderful memories for all of us, and do so graciously and kindly. So stop wondering and take the leap (sail). You will have a blast read more

Well it has happened agin. I spent an absolutely idyllic week on the Northwind. This boat is a dream to sail - or just watch the incredible scenery. Especially with the delicious scents of Jettes cooking wafting up- I ate more than I should have but it was too good to pass up! The wind and the water, sunlight or moonlight- its magic irl. Off boat excursions were terrific as well- hiking, kayaking, biking- its all there and so rejuvenating/relaxing. TailEr is her usual canine calming spirit. John and Jette continue to inspire me with their incredible skills: nautical, culinary and interpersonal! I could go on and on. The care and attention to all aspects of this trip is just superb. You should sign up as soon as you can though- they book up fast. read more

Our cruise with Joh and Jette was everything we had hoped for. They are professionals in the arts of sailing and hosting. We were completely comfortable on Northwind. read more

What an amazing week we had exploring the San Juans with Jon, Jette and TailR! The couple made us feel completely at home and safe aboard their beautiful boat. They were able to tailor each day's activities to our desired adventure level...some of us wanted to kayak, hike and explore, while others enjoyed relaxing on deck surrounded by the beauty of the islands. Jon and Jette were the perfect hosts, ready to engage us in conversation about their experiences aboard the Northwind, or leave us to enjoy each other's company and the silliness that ensues when a family vacations together. And the food! Each morning we awoke to the smell of fresh coffee and warm, buttery scents coming from the galley. It was heavenly and every meal was delicious. We ate fresh caught crab, local fish and seafood grilled to perfection, "ship"made pasta and so much more. It was amazing what Jette was able to create in her tiny space. Overall, our vacation was incredible, and we are so lucky to have had this experience. Thank you Jon and Jette for sharing the Northwind with us and giving us an unforgettable week in your part of the world. read more

Just finished a 6 day cruise on the Northwind and her awesome crew of Captain Jon, 1st Mate Jette and CFO Tailr , it was one of the best vacations I have ever experienced! Everything was 1st class. If you're lucky enough to be able to charter a trip on the Northwind, you too will be feeling this peaceful relaxed joy. Thanks Jon, Jette and Tailr! read more

We have been on two absolutely wonderful 12 day trips with Jon & Jette. They are both fantastic in every way. They take extremene measures to ensure their guests' safety. You will never experience superb gourmet meals better than Jette's anywhere. The beautiful scenery, solitude, hiking excursions & Jette's singing/guitar playing made for some of our best memories in our 52 years of marriage. To top off the experience, TailR, the Portuguese Water Dog (not sure she knows she is a dog!), is the BEST! She is so smart & well-mannered, not to mention SWEET! We highly recommend Sail the San Juan's to everyone. Scott & Kay Brown read more

Think of it as a floating 5-star restaurant... We chartered the boat with our two teenagers and another couple we frequently travel with. The ship, a 55 foot custom sailboat, was beautiful and immaculately maintained. We anchored in some wonderful bays, hiked a different island every day, and ate like kings. Jon adjusts the itinerary based on your interests, the weather, and whale sightings (we saw Orcas and a Humpback). Jette is a fabulous scratch cook (making pasta from scratch in a full kitchen on land is a lot of work; imagine doing it in a ship's galley -- but it was terrific). Each meal was better than the previous. Jon and Jette send a food questionnaire prior to sailing and cater to everyone's likes and dislikes. They even stock your favorite soda. For a 52-foot craft, the accommodations are impressive. Four staterooms, each with private toilet/sink/shower. Plenty of common space to relax in. A nice sound system where you can play your own music or listen to Jette's excellent selection. And, my favorite, nice cushions on the foredeck to relax and enjoy the sun and the breeze as you sail along. If you want to help sail, Jon is happy to teach you; if you want to veg out, that's OK, too. Not to be missed is placing crab pots to bring in the night's meal. You've never had crab this fresh, and it's a kick to haul in "your" trap and see what you've caught. We also picked blackberries in Friday Harbor and Jette whipped up an amazing blackberry cobbler. No review of Sail The San Juans would be complete without mentioning the third crew member, TailR, their Portuguese Water Dog. We're not big dog people but TailR was impossible not to like; incredibly well-behaved, mellow on the boat and enthusiastic on land. And she doesn't shed. It's not an inexpensive trip, but you definitely get what you paid for. Highly recommended! read more

We had a wonderful experience on the Northwind. Great food, great sailing, great couple, Jon and Jette, who treated us like family. We would love to make this trip again soon. A highlight of the trip, besides the surroundings, was TailR. She made us smile the whole time. read more

We just returned from a week aboard the Northwind, a 55 foot private charter, run by husband and wife team, Jon and Jette Baker. It truly was an experience of a lifetime, to disconnect from technology/cable news and appreciate the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands; fresh wind in our faces and the art of sailing. There were so many highlights - racing north into Canada to spot an Orca pod; 5 star meals - morning, noon and night (hard to pick a favorite); sailing a vessel this size was truly impressive, it was fun but safety was always a priority. The value is remarkable when you consider the cost of lodging, dining, whale watching, sailing, etc. Jon and Jette are excellent partners and work so well together to make the experience really special. I know they are already booking into 2019, check out their calendar to get your spot reserved. read more

This was our third cruise with Jette and Jon Baker. We had done the 6 day trip once before (about 10 years ago) and in between we sailed with them to Canada for 12 days. This trip, like the other two was a nearly perfect vacation. Beautiful weather, beautiful islands and wonderful people. Each time we chartered we traveled on an itinerary with two other couples we had never met before. And each time we met fun, outgoing people from all over the U.S. who also were taking a chance on us. The mix made for lively conversation and many laughs. We were all drawn to the beautiful Northwind and its wonderful crew. We had peaceful sailing, hiking, kayaking, exploring ports of call and quiet anchorages which made for 6 days that flew by. Oh, and did I mention the food? One cannot talk about this trip without saying that Jette and Jon, are absolutely marvelous cooks. We ate like we could actually afford a boat like the one we were on. We were in crab season so we crabbed and then we ate it absolutely right out of the sea. Special diets and food preferences were accommodated with ease and grace. As I said...a nearly perfect vacation. What could have made it perfect? Sighting Orcas, but we're three for three on that one little flaw. The Bakers failed to "cue the orcas". Still...we loved every minute of every trip. Kudos to the Bakers and CFO TailR. read more

What a wondrous way to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We thank the Bakers for their superior hospitality, excellent seamanship skills and expertise in ensuring safety and comfort! The Anchorage sites were absolutely gorgeous and utterly fabulous. Hosts with the "mostest" to be sure! Definitely will return!! read more

Jon and Jette treat you like you are part of the family while staying on their boat. Great views, awesome food and fun people; what else could you ask for on a vacation? The accommodations are very nice and homey - and great for a relaxing get away. I have been sailing a few time on other charter vessels, but Jon showed me and my wife the ropes and even let us help raise the sails, and tack; this was great. When not sailing the open water, Jon, Tail'R (The Salty Dog), my wife and I went on hikes on the island where Jon would showed us the wildlife, fauna, and discussed the history of the islands. I would love to sail again on the Northwind with Jon and Jette. I highly recommend them!!! read more

We had a great time sailing with Jon, Jette, and their wonderful Portuguese Water Dog (Tail-R). Jette's gourmet cooking and Jon's grilling (lamb chops and halibut) on the grill way exceeded our expectations of meals on a small boat. Wow! Jon and Jette were so hospitable and fun to be around. We were joined by 4 other people whom we had never met before this trip. We all hit it off very well, and after having shared 13 meals together, we really felt like longtime friends. Jon and Jette are very accommodating and super-organized. The boat is immaculate and the cabins are so clean and have comfortable beds. The trip was very relaxed. We could just relax onboard or go ashore for a hike. I highly recommend this trip. You won't be disappointed. read more

I highly recommend Jon and Jette Baker at Sail the San Juans. They own a 52 foot cruising vessel with 4 private cabins, each with their own private "head". (By the way, these are the vacuum flush type, not the typical marine toilets, much to my pleasant surprise.) I was a bit wary of spending an entire week on a boat with people I didn't know (and the toilets?), but I must say - it was the trip of a lifetime. The toilets worked just like at home, so that was great ;-). The boat is first class and impeccably well maintained. Jette's cooking is truly to die for. You could not get better food in a 5 star restaurant. She sent out an extensive food questionaire prior to the trip and accomodated each person's unique food requests, to the point where one day she made 4 different soups to please all of us. It was the best clam chowder I have ever tasted! Maybe partly because she bought the clams that morning at a fish market? Plus she did it all with a smile on her face, working from dawn till dusk cooking, cleaning and being Jon's very capable First Mate. The scenery was incredible. I have never felt so pampered and taken care of in my entire life. It was an unbelievable experience. We didn't stay on the boat all day, but went to a new island each day where we got out and hiked and/or kayaked. We saw orcas and gorgeous sunsets and sunrises - all the while eating the best food I have ever had in my life! Highly recommended! read more

Just returned from a fabulous week with Jon and Jette Baker, Sail the San Juans. This is an incredibly relaxing vacation with great scenery and you can be as active as you feel like. My husband loved helping with the steering and sailing, I just vegged out. Jon and Jette go way beyond to make their guests feel totally pampered and comfortable. The meals were awesome, lots of wonderful fresh seafood and beautifully prepared; even accommodating guests' picky food issues with grace and ease! Beautiful scenery, whales, bird life to enjoy-- from herons to eagles. If you are looking for a great getaway, this one gets 5 stars ! (Smooth sailing too -- because you're in the inland waters! Go for it! read more

We chartered the six day trip with two couples we know. We had a great time. J and J were wonderful people, fun to be with, and always at our service in every way. The food was 5 star for every meal. Jette is a fantastic epicurean cook. The one night we ate onshore was disappointing compared to boat food. The boat is beautiful. They took us on very interesting nature walks on islands. Sailing around those beautiful islands surrounded by blue and green water, and the birds overhead, was a delight. We had the bonus of getting a good view of a pod of orcas doing their thing. A great time was had by all. The only negative was that my friend and I found the quarters in the bed a little cramped. However the other four passengers did not feel that way. read more

What a wonderful sailing vacation! My husband and I met up with two other couples (who we did not previously know) and spent six fantastic days sailing around the San Juan Islands. Jon and Jette took excellent care of all of us and the meals were terrific. Everyone had a chance to take the wheel and steer, or not, it was completely comfortable. The 55' boat is immaculate and roomy. We were pleasantly surprised at the size of our bedroom since it is a boat after all, not a hotel. This is a fairly new boat for the them, and by the description of the previous boat this one is much larger. The outside sitting area easily accommodated all of the people and the dog, who was very well behaved and spent most of the time on board quietly sitting. Before the trip we wondered if we would like the other guests, well they were fun and interesting and made the trip more enjoyable. Maybe the type of people that enjoy sailing tend to get along. Overall, I highly recommend this vacation! read more