Sail our Waterways with Captain Clay
July 14, 2025
There’s a new way to explore the Rappahannock River and beyond: The Tides Inn now offers a variety of sailing experiences – from afternoon cruises to overnight sailing trips – all guided by Captain Clay Dingledine.
Captain Clay, a Northern Neck native, began his sailing journey at just 13 years old. He was fascinated by the idea of moving across water with the wind as his only tool. Sailing spoke to Clay’s adventurous spirit and eventually transformed into his life’s mission after he lived aboard a 27-foot sailboat for three months while navigating from Virginia to Key West. He realized that he wanted to spend his days on the water, and Sail & Surf Adventures was born.
The Sail & Surf Adventures fleet includes two vessels, a 36’ classic sailboat Galene and a 58’ cruising catamaran Pisces. The boats are as much a part of the story as Clay himself. The captain found Galene, a 1968 vintage sailboat sitting neglected and flooded in a boatyard in Deltaville. He spent three years rebuilding her piece by piece, adding modern touches like solar panels and refrigeration while maintaining her classic appearance. Galene launched as a charter vessel in 2020, while Pisces, custom built here on the Chesapeake Bay, is the newest addition to the fleet designed specifically for adventure cruising.
Now docked at the Tides Inn Marina, Galene and Pisces take guests on a variety of outings, including a casual two-hour sail, a sunset cruise or even a moonlit trip under the stars. A special, locally focused experience is the Sail and Savor excursion, which sails guests over to Merroir Tasting Room, where they enjoy local oysters and a waterside lunch before making the return trip.
For those wanting to learn how to sail, Clay offers American Sailing Association-certified classes. From beginner-level basics to more advanced coastal cruising and navigation, each course is taught in a small-group format with plenty of hands-on time on the water.
Captain Clay’s calm approach and deep familiarity with Galene puts guests at ease, and he’s a patient teacher for those looking to learn the ins and outs. His goal is simple: share the sense of peace that comes from being under sail. Whether it’s your first time onboard or your 100th, sailing offers a chance to step away from the noise and connect with the water in a quiet, meaningful way.