In the 1920’s, two brothers, Eldon and Afton Coon, built a fishing boat in Port Townsend, WA, and set sail for Alaska. They eventually settled in the towns of Sitka and Ketchikan. Both married, raised families, and continued the Coon Brother tradition. But it was Eldon who carried on the family’s wanderlust.
Operating a successful charter-boat business in Southeast Alaska, a fateful shipwreck in 1969 forced Capt. Eldon and wife Jeannette to sell their home, move south to Seattle, and, with the help of their adult sons Jim and Rand, and daughter Pattie, build another boat.
Christened Trilogy in 1971, their new 50′ sailing trimaran carried them for two years from Alaska to Mexico, Central & South America, the Galapagos Islands, and eventually, the South Pacific. It was there they decided, because of limited funds, to sail north to Hawai‘i and work until ship stores were replenished, before continuing their “around the world” Odyssey. But, as Jim and Rand are fond of recounting, they not only fell in love with the islands, they fell in love with a couple of island girls as well and settled instead on the island of Maui.
Trilogy is a family business committed to excellence by creating lifelong memories through personalized service delivered with Aloha. As stewards and sailors we perpetuate our Hawaiian culture and protect our environment. As an ‘Ohana we value each other and inspire integrity, innovation, and community.
This year Trilogy celebrates its 50th year as Maui’s first sailboat company! Since our start, Safety, Service, and Quality have been of utmost importance to us and has influenced how we design and build our boats, craft our menus, hire and train our crew, and engage with our guests. We welcome you into our ‘ohana and look forward to giving you the best day of your Maui vacation!
Here at Trilogy our goal is to make your Trilogy Adventure in Paradise both educational and entertaining, but above all, we are committed to making your day with us the safest day of your vacation! All our vessels are USCG (United States Coast Guard) certified and ocean tested sailing catamarans that we designed and/or built ourselves specifically with you in mind. Your safety and comfort were critical considerations in the design and building process. Every vessel, as well as all our land based operations, carry emergency oxygen as well as Emergency AED’s. In addition, our captains and crew maintain current certifications in CPR and First Aid and adhere to USCG regulations. Also, all vessels carry slicker gear for each passenger in the event that the wind and seas kick up during a passage. If you can keep dry here in the tropics you will usually stay warm and comfortable as well.
Our crew are also there to help while guests enjoy Hawaii’s amazing ocean marine life. Whether you are snorkeling at the surface or enjoying a SNUBA dive underwater, our crew are there to supervise, educate, and assist you. Besides having a crew member to lead guests on snorkeling tours of the reef, you’ll also find a crew member on top of a surfboard ready and able to assist you if you in case of trouble. In addition, every snorkeler is provided with a life vest, or BCD (Buoyancy Compensator Device), regardless of their ability, and yellow float belts are also available. Some swimmers think this limits their mobility—the truth is the opposite happens. The BCD can be worn un-inflated or partially inflated and in many cases guests find that the BCD provides them with extra flotation when they need it, while keeping them warm at the same time! And yes, it can get a bit chilly in the winter, so in case you get cold, our Discover Molokini and Discover Ka‘anapali trips offer partial wet suits for both snorkelers and divers that provide both safety and comfort.
While maintaining safe snorkel conditions is our number one priority, remember that we can’t do it without your help, and open-ocean snorkeling is done at your own risk. Whether you are out on the water with us, or off adventuring on your own, here are a few important rules to keep you safe:
Wind and sea conditions can cause a vessel to move in unexpected ways at unexpected times when vessels are underway and even when they are at anchor. So remember to always use at least one hand to support yourself while moving around and avoid those unnecessary injuries.
Having someone to keep an eye on you (and you on them) while out in the ocean is one of the best ways to stay out of trouble. The marine life here in the islands can be mesmerizing, but by taking a moment every couple minutes to look up and verify your buddy is still nearby will ensure you both stay safe and have fun.
Snorkeling can be a dangerous activity, so whether the seas are rough, the wind is strong, or you are unsure of your physical abilities, it’s always better to wait until you are comfortable before going into the ocean. If you have any pre-existing health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, seizures, and cardiovascular problems, we recommend you consult a physician prior to entering the ocean- whether with us or on your own.
Our family at Trilogy takes seriously the responsibility of supporting our local Maui community and is committed to preserving our ocean and island environment. We adhere to the Dolphin Smart guidelines and do not condone swimming with marine mammals. Any underwater image of a dolphin or whale was taken from the boat, using a poll-mounted camera. Since our start in 1973, we have adopted sustainable business practices that has lead our industry in conservation and environmental stewardship–we were awarded the Sustainable Ecotour Operator of the Year (2017) by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association. Click here to see Trilogy’s full Sustainability Timeline throughout the years! We regularly support local charitable organizations and non-profit groups, some of which are listed here: