ABOUT SAIL LIBRA AND HOW WE THINK
WHY WE SAIL
We believe real seamanship is not learned at a marina. It is learned offshore. Libra was built for the open ocean, and this program was built the same way.
Whether you are looking to gain confidence offshore, log meaningful sea miles, or chase the horizon for its own sake, you are in the right place.
For more than a decade, Sail Libra has helped sailors step beyond the dock and into real passage making. The goal is not just miles, but confidence and judgment you can carry forward to your own boat, your charters, and your own crew. This is hands on sailing. Sometimes it is rough and sometimes it is loud, but it is always real.
Every passage is a team effort. There is no standing back and watching. You will be on the helm, trimming sails, navigating, standing watch, and learning what it truly takes to move a boat offshore, over the horizon, and arrive at your destination prepared and capable. We meet you at your level and build from there.
Libra is a 60 foot Bill Tripp Jr. ketch built in 1969 and still working hard offshore today. She has carried hundreds of sailors from Bermuda to the Caribbean, through the Gulf of Mexico, up to Nova Scotia, and across the Atlantic to Europe and Africa. Libra regularly logs over 15,000 nautical miles each year and is not slowing down.
MEET LIBRA
Built in 1969, with major refits in 2015 and 2020 (and improvements every season), s/v Libra has logged tens of thousands of miles (Over 150,000 in the last 20 years) and completed rigorous sea trials. She’s circumnavigated the globe twice and continues to deliver safe, fast offshore passages year after year.
Because of her hull design, length, and weight, she performs like a rocket in the right conditions hitting double-digit speeds where lighter vessels would be struggling. Libra was built to be a fast, efficient sailing machine, and she’s only gotten better with age.
Libra is equipped with:
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A full suite of offshore safety equipment
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Redundant navigation and comms, including Starlink
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Comfortable beds and sleeping arrangements
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Custom systems designed for real-world offshore use
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Wanna read about EVERYTHING she has go here.
WHO SAILS WITH US
Most of our sailors are experienced OR interested in some form — whether they've binged every Youtube sailing channel, sailed lakes, owned a boat for years, or completed a few coastal hops. But maybe they haven’t gone offshore yet, and they want the kind of experience you only get by doing it.
We see a lot of, retired professionals, weekend racers, and aspiring cruisers. You don’t need to be an expert — just curious, committed, and ready to learn by doing or watching.
If you're boat shopping, dreaming about a circumnavigation, or just looking to escape the routine and challenge yourself at sea — you'll fit right in aboard Libra.
THE CREW
Sail Libra is captained by founder Ryan Rayfield, who’s been running offshore passages for decades and boats even longer. He believes in empowering sailors to take the helm and build confidence through hands-on learning. The crew stays consistent across seasons, allowing for strong mentorship and safety standards onboard.
Every crewmember is selected for their offshore experience, professionalism, and ability to teach. When you come aboard, you’re joining a team that wants you to leave smarter, stronger, and more confident. Libra has great team, get to know everyone before you arrive here on the crew page.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Sail Libra is built around experience.
We sail offshore and operate as a crew in open water. We spend real time away from land and learn what it means to live and function at sea.
Everyone takes part. You stand watch, handle sails, and participate in the daily rhythm of the boat.
Skills are taught in context, not isolation, the sea is the classroom. Seamanship develops through real conditions, not simulations.
The result is simple. More capability, more confidence, and skills that transfer directly to your own sailing.
SV Libra on a close reach in a very smooth ocean.
Guest crew stand watch at the helm of Libra.
Flying the Asymmetrical Spinnaker
Ryan along with his 2 children Sierra and Spencer.
The Next Step
If this kind of sailing makes sense to you, the next step is simple. Choose the passage that fits your schedule and goals, review the details, and reach out if you have questions.
Sail Libra is a small, family-owned operation, run directly by Ryan Rayfield, the owner and captain of s/v Libra. Ryan is aboard for every passage. There’s no sales team, no handoff, and no guesswork about who you’re sailing with. What you see here is exactly how the program operates.
Libra is a U.S.-flagged vessel operated under strict U.S. Coast Guard regulations, with professional standards for safety, training, and crew management. This is a working offshore boat, run deliberately and conservatively, with a focus on real seamanship and real experience.
Each passage page includes dates, route information, logistics, and availability. If you’re unsure which trip is the best fit, a short conversation is often enough to point you in the right direction. You’re welcome to reach out directly. Quick questions are best handled by text, and Ryan is happy to respond anytime.
Sail Libra passages are designed for people who want real experience, clear structure, and time underway that actually counts. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll likely find your bunk waiting aboard.
→ Learn More About Ryan Rayfield
→ Text Ryan for a Quick Question at +1-251-923-8825
