The Experience
There's a moment after you leave the marina

The dock noise fades. The sail fills with the evening breeze. The whole Santa Monica Bay opens up in front of you — and people just go quiet. They stop mid-sentence and take it in. That's what we're here for. Your SUP and sail Los Angeles adventure has only just begun.

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Paddle Method has been delivering unforgettable SUP and sail Los Angeles experiences in Marina del Rey since 2010. We know this bay at every hour, in every season — the way the afternoon wind builds from the southwest, the exact moment the sky turns gold over Point Dume, where the dolphins tend to show up if they're feeling social.
This is a hosted sailing experience — Paddle Method's Tim Sanford aboard as your local guide, a USCG-licensed captain at the helm. Three full hours on one of the most storied vessels in the marina. You handle nothing except deciding when to open the bottle.

"Nothing beats Santa Monica Bay from the deck of a sailboat at golden hour. We can tell you that from a lot of hours on this water."
- Tim Sanford, Paddle Method

Ready to get on the water?
Call to Book - 310-770-7291

Pricing
Three hours. Pick your way aboard

Every departure includes a USCG-licensed captain, Tim Sanford hosting, cold drinks, and all safety gear. Minimum 4 guests to launch.

Individual Spot
$250
per person

3-hour sunset sail
Up to 6 guests total aboard
USCG-licensed captain
Tim Sanford hosting
Cold drinks included
All safety gear

Reserve a spot
Most popular
Couple
$450
for two

3-hour sunset sail for 2
Best Seats in the house
USCG-licensed captain
Tim Sanford hosting
Cold drinks included
Perfect for anniversaries &
date nights

Book for two
Private Charter
$1,200
Full Boat - up to 6 guests

Entire boat is yours
3 hours, your schedule
USCG-licensed captain
Tim Sanford hosting
BYOB Welcome
Birthdays, proposals,
corporate

Call to book
Guaranteed Departure regardless of headcount
Minimum to launch: 4 guests. Wednesday sails depart weekly — book early, spots are limited.
The Vessel
Not just a charter boat. A world sailor.
Man standing on a sailboat during sunset, enjoying the ocean view.

Most sunset cruise operators in Marina del Rey put you on a motor yacht or a production catamaran designed for day charters. This is different.

Meant to Be is a Privilege 39 — a classic French-built catamaran renowned for its seaworthiness, charm, and capability as a genuine world cruiser. This is not a charter boat that stays within sight of the marina. It has circumnavigated the globe twice and crossed multiple oceans.

The spacious cockpit has a large outdoor table and bench seating — comfortable for the full group. The forward netting is perfect for watching the bow wave and spotting dolphins. Inside the main salon, hand-crafted interior woodwork and cozy seating create a warmth you don't find on production charter boats. The hard sun roof keeps the afternoon glare off while you settle in for the sail out.

Privilege was founded in 1985 by Philippe Jeantot — winner of the first BOC singlehanded round-the-world race and creator of the Vendée Globe Challenge. The boats were built to bluewater standards from day one.

39ft
length
21ft
Beam
2x
Circumnavigations
6
Max guests
Regular Departures
Every Wednesday. Golden hour on the bay.

The weekly Wednesday evening sail the Paddle Method's signature sailing experience - a recurring, small-group departure limited to catch the best light of the week. Perfect for locals who want a standing ritual, visitors who plan their LA trip around it, or anyone who needs a genuine mid-week reset on the water.

Spots are limited to 6. We keep it small on purpose.

What's Included
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
Vessel

Privilege 39 catamaran — 39ft,
wide beam, built for ocean
sailing

Captain

USCG-licensed professional —
20,000+ nautical miles

Host & Guide
Tim Sanford - 15+ years on the Santa Monica Bay
Safety
Full briefing and all USCG required safety gear provided
On Board
Cold Drinks included - BYOB welcome for celebrations
Departs
Marina del Rey - exact slip confirmed at booking
Beyond the Sunset Sail
Set sail further.

The Wednesday evening sail is the anchor. But Santa Monica Bay — and beyond — has a lot more to offer.

Boat sailing at sunset on calm ocean waters.
Half Day - Santa Monica Bay
Paradise Cove & Malibu Coast
Sail north along the Malibu coastline to Paradise Cove - dramatic cliffs, clear water, and one of the most scenic stretches of coast in Southern California.
Serene beach scene with sailboats, turquoise water, and lush green shoreline for Paddle Method.
Half Day / Full Day - Dec- May
Whale Watching Under Sail
Gray whale migration runs December though April. Sail toward Palos Verdes with no engine noise, just sails.
Serene night view of boats anchored in a coastal town harbor with illuminated buildings and mountain.
Overnight - 22 Miles
Catalina Island Overnight
Depart at sunset, anchor in Avalon or the isthmus, wake up on Catalina Island. One of the great Southern California sailing passages.
Marina with multiple sailboats and yachts docked on calm water.
International - Future Program
Greece, BVI & Beyond
Small-group sailing trips to the Greek Islands and the British Virgin Islands. Week-long curated voyages.
Every extended trip is planned personally - tell us where you want to go.
Your Host & Captain
Two decades on the water. Both of them.
Ocean sailing with a woman enjoying the sea breeze on a boat.

Every Paddle Method sailing experience is captained by a USCG-licensed professional with over 20,000 nautical miles of sailing experience — someone who grew up on the water in Southern California and has been introducing "land people" to the joy of sailing Santa Monica Bay for years.

Alongside the captain, Paddle Method founder Tim Sanford is aboard as your host, local guide, and the person who knows this bay as well as anyone on it.
Tim handles the experience. The captain handles the boat. You handle relaxing.

Captain Lori: USCG-licensed · 20,000+ nautical miles · Sailing instructor · Southern
California local

Tim Sanford: Completed the ARC Transatlantic Rally — 2,700 miles offshore,
Canary Islands to the Caribbean
ASA certified across sloop, cutter, catamaran, and trimaran platforms
US Coast Guard Auxiliary — Flotilla 12-4
Paddle Method founder — teaching and guiding on Santa Monica Bay since 2010

Who is this for?
This sail is for you if
You've always wanted to try sailing but didn't want to feel like a student — you just want to experience it
You want a genuinely different date night in LA. Not dinner and a movie. Actual magic.
You're celebrating something — a birthday, an anniversary, a proposal, or just a Tuesday that deserves better
You've lived in LA for years and somehow never actually been on the water, only next to it
You want a private charter for 6 that's intimate and personal — not a booze cruise with strangers
You're already dreaming about Greece or the BVI and want someone to help plan it properly
Common Questions
Everything you want to know
Get in touch
Questions? Custom trip? Just call Tim.
call or text
Tim answers. No hold music.
email
timsanford@gmail.com
For groups, custom trips & charters
book online
coming soon
Wednesday sails - reserve your spot
From the water
What People say about Paddle Method
"Tim is fantastic and definitely makes you feel comfortable. SUP is something I would love to do again!"
Candice t. Santa Monica, ca
"The best service, knowledgeable and friendly staff, awesome boards... I can't say enough great things about them"
Anna P. los angeles, ca
"Mt first paddle board lesson with Tim was easy and fun. He was very patient and fun to spend time with."
Henry H. venice, ca
The Bay is Waiting

Wednesday evenings. Six guests maximum. A world sailor at golden hour.
Don't let someone else have your sunset.

Book Your Sunset Sail
Call Tim: 310-770-7291

Planning something bigger? Email us about half-days, overnights & international trips