Michael’s qualifications: RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Yachtmaster Instructor, ASA (American Sailing Association) Sailing Instructor, US Sailing Instructor, US Coast Guard 100 ton Merchant Mariner Credential, BVI Boatmaster Class 1, STCW (first aid, fire fighting and sea survival).
David’s qualifications: ASA Sailing Instructor, US Coast Guard 100 ton Master MMC (Sailing and Towing endorsements), BVI Boatmaster Class 1, STCW, PADI Rescue Diver.
Neither of us started out in a sailing school. Yes, between us we have sufficient instructor credentials and professional qualifications to sink a ship, but our sailing was mostly learned piecemeal—some from friends, from dads and uncles, from Scouts, from just playing around in boats–and a good deal from racing. Much of this was of great value and some—such as racing—less so.
We don’t wish to demean yacht racing, but it is by definition the very epitome of imprudent seamanship—where you learn to carry too much sail for too long in too much wind—but lots of fun both on and off the water.
We’ve been sailing Caribbean waters for decades, in many capacities—from sailing instructor to charter company owner, corporate manager, and professional coach. Between us we’ve seen it all and done most of it. We’ve made mistakes, dragged anchor, snagged propellers, bounced off docks and off the seabed—so we know what we are talking about. “If you haven’t been aground, you haven’t been around,” they say. Well, we’ve been around.
Michael sailed in America’s Cup-level competition in the 1983 British challenger, Victory. David pottered around on boats in New Zealand and Australia. We both taught sailing on New York harbor at the same time—without knowing each other, though we did wave Hello as we sailed by—under the shadow of the Twin Towers. And we survived tugboats, cruise ships, freighters, garbage scows, Thursday night racers, as well as day-tripping tour boats. That experience led us to want to save others from many of the mistakes and misfortunes that have come our way. And to share the joys and satisfactions, too.
Things have changed in the Caribbean this year, at least our part of it. And the future is a little less predictable than we thought it was just a few months ago–a fact that might make these books even more useful than we had imagined. But we are betting that the waters will soon be blessed with yachts under sail and sailors overjoyed. We intend to be among them and hope you’ll be there too.
MICHAEL offers a coaching service in the Caribbean. Find out more at Caribbean Sailing Coach