Na’walak is a kwakwak’wakw word that means “spirit of nature”. She is a comfortable 55-foot pilothouse ketch, comprehensively upgraded using the latest systems with comfort and safety in mind. She is very stable and stoutly overbuilt of fiberglass and made to offshore standards.

The interior incorporates five private staterooms with berthing for six passengers and three crew. The forward stateroom is a V-berth with two single berths, which can be converted into a double. The starboard aft stateroom has a double berth, and the port aft stateroom is a single berth. There are also two mid-ship cabins each with two single bunk berths, one of which is our crew quarters.

There are two heads, each with walk-in showers. The galley holds a large refrigerator/freezer, and large 4 burner stove and oven. We also have a large BBQ grill permanently secured to the aft rail for grilling.  The entire boat is insulated and fitted with radiant and forced air heat for the occasional chilly morning.

JUST AFT OF THE GALLEY is the bright and roomy pilothouse/salon with comfortable seating for eight. Whether gathering for a sumptuous meal, taking a turn at the helm, or ducking in from a rain shower, the pilothouse is a great place to stay out of the weather while enjoying the wraparound view. This special feature enables us to voyage comfortably in the beautifully serene off-season while staying warm and dry.

When you prefer to be on the deck you will find several cozy places to relax. You can find your spot in the sun on the foredeck or sit comfortably in our spacious cockpit, or lounge on the aft deck.

IN KEEPING WITH Emerald Isle’s philosophy of treading as lightly as possible in these delicate environments, we have forgone a noisy diesel generator, and installed a high-capacity battery bank and solar charging system, supplying the ship with ample power for your convenience. Our dinghy is propelled by a silent electric motor.

WE’RE EQUIPPED with a great sailing system. Roller furling and self-tailing winches make the Na’walak easy to sail. If you want to take a turn at the helm, we have a wheel in the cockpit as well as in the pilot house.

TO HELP YOU REST EASILY we want you to know that we care about your safety. We meet or exceed all U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements. In case we need emergency communications, we have a fixed mount VHF radio, portable VHF radios, an EPIRB, and satellite communications.

“My goal is to share with every guest my experience, passion, and gratitude for living and sailing in one of the most important and beautiful marine environments in the world.”

Growing up surrounded by water, Greg spent most of his life in, on, and around the sea. Windsurfers and Hobie catamarans were his watercraft of choice way back then.

After a short career in advertising photography in New York, he ditched the city life. Relatively unscathed and none the worse for urban wear and tear, he moved to Alaska and re-connected with nature, wilderness and a life of adventure. He spent his years as a publisher for a print and online adventure publication and sled dog tour guide, as well as expeditioning/winter camping in the interior.

Feeling the magnetic pull back to the water, he eventually led sea kayaking, rafting, sailing, photography and bear viewing tours in Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, and Kachemak Bay.

Wanting to spend more time on water unfrozen, he migrated south to the San Juan Islands and has spent the last 15 years solo sailing and exploring the flora and fauna of the San Juan Islands, the Great Bear Rainforest, and Haida Gwaii islands.

Greg currently holds a USCG OUPV Captain’s license, as well as being trained in wilderness first aid, swift water rescue, and BCU kayak training.