About...
The Natural Coast

Take the trip of a lifetime aboard S.V. Duen. Explore the beauty and wonder of Canada's West Coast. Experience this magical area as it was first explored and come to appreciate wildlife and cultures worth preserving.

Duen Sailing Adventures grew from the challenge to demonstrate that environmental protection and cultural respect can be compatible with running a successful marine tour business on Canada's West Coast. Now, more than ever, it is necessary to create viable economic alternatives, which give value to ecological and cultural richness. We believe one of the best ways of conserving an area is by taking a limited number of people to experience and explore its magic first-hand. People will protect what they love.

Duen's Journey

"When this distinguished lady gets moving in a breeze it's a picture to behold; she romps along and overtakes fibreglass youngsters that could be her grandchildren. With a fresh breeze harnessed by her full press of sail, DUEN charges along as if arriving from another era."

Jimmy Cornell
Cruising World Magazine

Reputed to be one of the most beautiful wooden boats on the British Columbia coast, she is amazing in many respects. DUEN, 'The Dove' is a true Classic. 22 meters (72') long overall, a traditional Norwegian designed Galeas gaff rigged ketch. DUEN has had only three custodians since her launching in Flekke Fjord, Norway. The first, two brothers, plied the waters between Norway and Iceland for nine-month seasons. They proved that her powerful thirteen-inch, double planked hull could withstand the harsh moods of the shallow and infamous North Sea.

In 1971, an adventurous American couple, the Fletchers, and their generations of family saw the offshore potential in the full keel of DUEN. They converted and redesigned her to a loftier and more graceful sail plan. They then set sail on a fifteen-year world cruise, a circumnavigation and two South Pacific journeys. Jimmy Cornell, author of Ocean Passages of the World dedicated his book to the Fletchers and DUEN's increadible voyage. To this day her crew marvel at DUEN's performance and well-balanced sailing ability.

Her third custodians have continually serviced and renovated DUEN since1986. Michael and Manon Hobbis have sailed DUEN extensively in Atlantic and Pacific Northwest waters. Again DUEN has proved herself. In 1990 she received Canadian passenger carrying certification for the entire British Columbia coastline. She is large enough for comfort and privacy, and small enough to create a great ambience for the eight passengers and three crew. In the true spirit of traditional rigging, varnished hand haul blocks and spacious wooden deck, the owners have designed and built a seaworthy and classic style pilothouse for the enjoyment of guests. DUEN is an extremely stable viewing platform and a visually pleasing foreground while underway. At anchorage she fits in well with The Natural Coast.

DUEN's interior was completely renovated in 1994 with the warmth of golden fir, pine and ship's brass. Guest sleeping accommodations consist of four double or twin cabins with wash basin, skylights and porthole. For additional privacy they are also totally separated from the crew's quarters. Dining with newfound friends over a glass of wine and a fine meal can be enjoyed in three locations on the vessel. Guests can enjoy the social atmosphere below deck around the extensive natural history library and warmth of the Norwegian stove, above deck in the Pilothouse, or around the large ondeck dining table for barbecues and sunsets.

DUEN also features the extras expected from a current charter vessel of her standard: Up to date electronic navigational equipment and safety gear, 120v power outlets, shower, two heads/bathrooms, two large inflatable, four kayaks, slide projector, video, and an acoustic underwater hydrophone which allows us to listen to whales in their natural habitat. It is hard to know where to stop when attempting to describe the DUEN, the Norwegian Dove. This ship is in our blood. From the minute she came into view in the lagoon of the uninhabited island of Suvarov in 1978 until today, she has changed lives and continues to provide adventurous and fun filled experiences for all aboard.

Special Moments in Nature

To the friends that we have made over the years we would like to extend our welcome to you once again!

For those of you that have yet to sail with us we invite you to join Duen on a voyage of discovery through the coastal wilderness of British Columbia and South East Alaska. We would like to highlight The Natural Coast and update all of you on the plans for the year ahead.

We will continue to give you the best opportunity to relax and enjoy the wilderness in safety and comfort onboard the mothership, Duen. We have "shined up the noculars", as our son would say, and have purchased a few more field guides to replace or supplement the tattered copies that have served so well as we explored the Great Bear Rainforest and beyond.

We time our sailings to coincide with the natural migrations of whales and birds that transit this region. Our Grizzly and Kermode Bear expeditions are scheduled for the late summer and fall when the salmon are returning to the estuaries and streams of British Columbia.

We are committed to wide open places and have you in mind. We look forward to welcoming you onboard to share many special moments in nature.

Pacific Wildlife and Cultural Tours

Quality wilderness adventures on Canada's Natural Coast. Experience active outdoor adventures in unspoiled wilderness, with an emphasis on wildlife viewing, as well as natural and cultural history.

Join us aboard the 72' coast guard certified classic s/v DUEN as we gently make our way through spectacular scenery and wilderness in safety and comfort on eight day journeys.

James Robertson, Haisla Elder
DUEN's expert naturalist or native interpreter will guide us from the mothership to explore ancient forests, native heritage sites, hot springs and tidal pools on frequent shore excursions. View whales, bears and birds in their natural habitat.

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