Our Story How We Fell in Love with Alaska
Jon discovered the magic of sailing as a young boy in Cub Scouts and bought his first
sailboat in 2011, never looking back to motorboats. After years of sailing the San Juan
Islands and the Gulf of Mexico, he found that Alaska's waters called to him—conditions
similar to Vancouver Island, but with fewer boats, fewer people, and far more wildlife.
Kirsten, a Colorado native with a background in nursing and hospital administration,
loves sailing and developed an intense interest in the rich cultural history of Southeast
Alaska's indigenous peoples—the Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Haida. Whether visiting the
reconstructed Tribal House of Chief Shakes in Wrangell or the Sealaska Heritage Museum
in Juneau, she brings these stories to life for guests.
Together, they found Raven's Dance—a Finnish-built Nauticat 43 that matched their vision
perfectly: beautiful, safe, roomy, and solid. With Jon at the helm and Kirsten creating
memorable meals in the galley, they've made their home port in Wrangell, Alaska.
Now, they're excited to welcome you aboard and share the magic of Alaska—not as
tourists, but as fellow adventurers exploring one of the world's most remarkable
coastlines.
