Sacred Horizons

"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say YES to your adventure.” 
-Joseph Campbell

Hi!! I'm Margie (with a hard "g") Woods

This blog is dedicated to my sailing adventures, but the truth is that it weaves in all aspects of my life, work and all of the learning therein.  I am a writer, artist, schemer, dreamer, portrait photographer, aspiring filmmaker and yes, an obsessed sailor! Sailing soothes my soul and brings me the greatest solace I have ever known. I have been sailing most of my life, and am always pushing myself to do and learn more on the water. I hold a USCG 25 Ton Master License, I am a certified ASA (American Sailing Association) instructor, A Staff Commodore of The Pacific Singlehanded Sailing Association, Fleet Captain for The Women’s Sailing Association of Santa Monica Bay, and a veteran of the 2016 Singlehanded Transpac.

I was taught to sail by my father, a lifelong sailor, who simply by living his passion for all things sailing and the sea, inspired me and infused me with enthusiasm to do the same. The biggest love affair of my life started the first time I set foot on a sailboat as a little girl. This love grows every day, and I am so very grateful for all that I learn about myself, sailing and the sea as a result. I am also very grateful to be surrounded by and inspired by experienced sailors who include me in their adventures, let me crew on their boats, consult with me on mine, and inspire and push me to pursue my dreams and adventures.

Though I had been sailing most of my life, I got captivated in my early thirties by solo sailing.  I was lucky to have the opportunity to do a lot of singlehanded day sailing aboard a J-80 named Carronade that belonged to my dad. That experience changed me, and inspired me to purchase my first boat, Moody Blue (a 1981 Wylie 34). I  have since been the steward of two other sailboats, one of whom, was called Haunani, and valiantly carried me across the Pacific in 2016. Sadly she was destroyed by the shipping company on her journey home to California, and I had to let her go. My current vessel is a 2005 Hanse 371 named Cassiopeia, and we have had many adventures together and are preparing for more!

I am passionate about inspiring more women to learn to sail and seek adventure in sailing! I volunteer, do private instruction and race in Marina Del Rey solo, double-handed and with an all woman crew.

When I am not on the water or working on my boat, you can find me taking portraits of my amazing clients, writing on my bed flanked by my wonderful dog Gracie Mae, or making art. To find out more about my work, please stop by website at www.margiewoods.com