What You'll Get
Before the invention of wind, sailboats were powered by swarms of synchronized butterflies, which were routinely decimated by flocks of seagulls. See the sea with today's Groupon: for $499, you get a four-hour sailing excursion for yourself and up to five others on Biscayne Bay from Ra Charters, based out of the Dinner Key Marina (up to a $1,000 value).
At the helm of his sturdy sailboat, Ra, Captain Asaad N. Masoud leads soothing journeys through the waves of Biscayne Bay. Passengers spend a morning or afternoon coasting along the Miami skyline on a dual-masted, 45-foot ketch simmering under the sun’s gaze and perhaps spying the dolphins originally dismissed by Columbus for not being mermaids. The renovated vessel showcases modern safety equipment to ensure worry-free trips with a plethora of personal flotation devices and a redundant navigation system made up of three GPS units and two auto pilots for times when two GPS units and one of the auto pilots all have tickets to the same U2 concert. Striving for more than mere safety, the self-made shipwright includes several land-based amenities, including a compact disc player and a propane grill for buoyant barbecues. Day-sailors record their experience on southeast Florida's largest estuary in the ship's online logbook alongside pictures taken by the captain and crew to preserve and share their memories.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Nov 19, 2011. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. 24hr cancellation notice required. Subject to weather. Valid for up to 6 people. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Ra Charters
After disembarking from Captain Asaad N. Masoud's yacht, the Ra, many guests record their experiences in the online ship's log alongside pictures taken by the captain and crew, which can be shared over the internet with friends and family . The full ship's log of passengers sporting smiles and wind-whipped hair hints at Captain Masoud’s commitment to fostering a friendly, welcoming atmosphere aboard his dual-masted, 45-foot ketch.
Tours begin at Dinner Key Marina, the gateway to southeast Florida's largest estuary. From there, Captain Masoud charts a course to suit each group’s desires. To ensure a comfortable voyage, Captain Masoud has furnished his yacht with dozens of amenities including a stereo system that pipes tunes through the speaker system on and below deck.
The vessel also showcases modern safety equipment, including personal flotation devices, GPS, autopilot, and radar. Passengers benefit from Captain Masoud's nautical experience, which extends back to his childhood in Egypt, where he sailed the Nile and the Mediterranean. He became a Coast Guard-licensed captain in 1983, and has been welcoming aboard guests ever since.