Inland Packet & Navigation Co.

Welcome to Sailing with the Inland Packet & Navigation Company

Who We Are

The Inland Packet & Navigation Company is the NOT FOR HIRE sailing experience run by the owners of SV Kat Boat James Maxwell and Kate Berman. It is our pleasure to take family and friends out for a day sail on Flathead Lake and help them view things from a different perspective. SV Kat Boat is the prototype Jim Michalak FatCat2 sailboat. She's small in length but big on size. Stable and easy to sail she's a perfect vessel for a first sail or a relaxing day on the water. Her cockpit can seat four and the cabin is large enough to stretch out in. 

What to Expect

 James, Kat and Kat Boat want you to have a good time. If it's simply a quick sail around Dayton Harbor, a trip to Wild Horse Island for some hiking, or a sunset voyage up the bay we do it all. We will meet the needs of your schedule as it matches up to ours. We sail for the joy of taking people on the water and sometimes finding a good time to do that can be tough. Feel free to bring snacks on board. Water will be provided. Wear clothing suitable for the weather but be aware it changes, occasionally for the worse. If you have life jackets please bring them, we can provide them if need. NO CHILDREN'S SIZES AVAILABLE (They can be checked out from the Missoula Public Library if needed)

How to Do

First contact James or Kat. As you were sent to this page most likely that has already happened. We need to get a date and time set. The earlier this can be done the higher possibility we'll be able to make the sail happen.

- 10am is the best starting time as that is when the wind comes up on on the west side of the lake. We can sail in the building wind and get a feel for the boat. A good idea if you've not sailed before. This time also allows us to cover distance if we need to. The wind goes away around four and while motoring is always a possibility we prefer that we don't.

- Sundays are best. Saturdays are possible later in the day and Monday is usually open. Evenings after four during weekdays  are possible as well. 

-Sailings depart from the Dayton Yacht Harbor. We can also make arrangements to launch from Big Arm State Park or Walstad State Park. 

Finding the vessel is pretty easy.  This page will tell you a bit about the lay out of Dayton and where to park. From the parking lot go straight south until you hit the water and turn right. The first dock should have a catboat tied to it. That's us. If there is a possibility for weather the sailing will be cancelled. Everything possible will be done to let you know if that happens beforehand.