Agathe Gaulin is a seasoned sailor with over 30 years of cruising sailboats on the waters of inland lakes, bare-boat chartering in the BVI’s and California and since 2002, sailing the world-famous Canadian West Coast. Agathe has owned and maintained a variety of boats from a Catalina 25 to a Spencer 44. Chartering and working on client boats have given her the opportunity to sail and skipper an even greater variety of cruising sailboats to 50 feet.

Combining her professional abilities in adult education with her sailing passion, and fully committed to empowering individuals, especially women, to acquire the needed skills to feel comfortable in a cruising sailboat, Agathe became certified as an instructor with the International Sail and Power Association, now known as Canadian Recreational Yachting Association, in 2009. For the past 15 years she has operated her own sailing school, originally based in Comox, BC and now on Gabriola Island, BC.

Prairie Mist

Prairie Mist is a Canadian built 32’ Ontario; designed for performance sailing
while offering the comforts of a family cruiser. This classic boat is well equipped to
ensure a comprehensive and safe learning environment for both the beginner and
the seasoned sailor.
Key features:
➢ Sloop with full complement of sails including roller furling genoa,
traditional main sail with 2 reef lines and lazy jacks, and a gennaker in
“sock”;
➢ Most lines led to cockpit; 2-speed self-tailing winches;
➢ 4ft 6” draft (1.21m) extended fin keel with large spade rudder;
➢ Bruce anchor, 250’ of chain & electric windlass;
➢ 20 hp Yanmar diesel inboard engine; wheel steering;
➢ Large cockpit with dodger, full custom cushions & flip-up table;
➢ Chart plotter, wind instruments and VHF radio in cockpit;
➢ Spacious main cabin with ample storage space; drop-leaf dining table
between settees accommodates 6;
➢ U-shaped galley with propane 3 burner stove and oven; large
refrigerated “ice box”; pressure hot & cold water; large BBQ on rail;
➢ Large V-berth sleeping cabin + pull-out double berth in main cabin;
➢ Private “head” complete with sink, shower & toilet;
➢ All mandatory safety gear, navigation lights & teaching tools.
8’Inflatable dinghy with 2.5 hp 4-stroke outboard engine serves as the tender.
NOTE: Vessels operating under Free Spirit Sailing are compliant with the Transport Canada
Recreational Boating School Standards.

Free Spirit Sailing

Free Spirit Sailing’s namesake is a “Spencer 44” purchased in 2013 by Agathe & Georgette Duhaime.  Free Spirit was an offshore veteran having been sailed around the world by previous owners. 

For 5 years, Agathe & Georgette prepared themselves and the boat to sail to the South Pacific. Members of Bluewater Cruising Association, they took a multitude of courses such as: ISAF Offshore Safety and Sea Survival Course, Offshore Weather & Passage Planning, Offshore Medical Preparedness First Aid and Emergencies at Sea, Single Side Band radio operation as well as Diesel engine maintenance.  Following a month-long circumnavigation of Vancouver Island in 2017, the “sailing south” objective was put aside and Free Spirit was sold in 2019.

Agathe’s previous Sailing School, based out of Comox, BC, was called Morgana Sailing, and was accredited by the International Sail & Power Association. Reactivating Agathe’s sailing school in 2018 involved accreditation with Canadian Recreational Yachting Association (the new name for ISPAssociation) and purchasing the Ontario 32 now called Prairie Mist.