Checking In

In May 2022, all eyes in the Optimist sailing world will turn to Long Island Sound as Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club in Oyster Bay, NY hosts the 2022 United States Optimist Dinghy Association Team Trials Regatta. “The regatta name is derived from the fact that the results are used to determine who is chosen for teams representing the U.S. in top international championship regattas in the following year – think Olympic trials for Optis!” said Event Chair…

Zim Sailing, the Bristol, Rhode Island-based marine equipment manufacturer, has been acquired by Starting Line Sailing, Inc. The purchase transaction also includes Dwyer Mast & Rigging, the longtime aluminum spar manufacturer. As part of this acquisition, Zim Sailing and Dwyer Mast & Rigging will join West Coast Sailing as subsidiaries of Starting Line Sailing, a newly formed holding company led by CEO George Yioulos. Zim Sailing, founded by Steve Perry in 2008, provides one-design sailboats, parts, accessories,…

Andrew (Andy) Kaplan has joined the brokerage team at McMichael Yacht Yards & Brokers. The addition increases the McMichael roster to seven full-time yacht brokers serving customers up and down the east coast with a concentration on the Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay. He will work primarily out of the McMichael Mamaroneck, NY, office as well as Martha’s Vineyard, MA. “Andy is bringing to McMichael a lifetime of experience in sail and power boating with a…

A warm breeze on Thursday, August 12, welcomed a throng of revelers to Norwalk Sailing School (NSS) at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, CT for the ribbon cutting ceremony and the introduction of the school’s new director Nodira I and administrative staff.     Mayor Harry Rilling and First Lady Lucia along with several other local representatives and dignitaries greeted the assembly of staff, campers, parents and friends of NSS. Ms. I was selected to take over…

Our friends at the New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS), a nonprofit ocean adventure education organization in Stonington, CT, have announced the appointment of Eric Isselhardt, PhD to the position of President. Isselhardt joined the NESS team as Executive Director of Education in January 2020. Spike Lobdell, who founded NESS in 2002, will continue to lead NESS in his role as Chief Executive Officer. “The title of President reflects Eric’s leadership role at NESS,” Lobdell said.  “We are excited…

Our friends at Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, CT have appointed Chris Sanders as the new director of the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard. Sanders succeeds longtime director Quentin Snediker, who will stay on at the Museum in his role as the Clark Senior Curator for Watercraft. “Chris brings a wealth of ship and boatbuilding experience to the leadership of the duPont Preservation Shipyard,” said Peter Armstrong, president of Mystic Seaport Museum. “He has proven his knowledge…

Our friends at Offshore Sailing School have announced the promotions of Director of Marketing Beth Oliver to Vice President, Director of Sales & Marketing, and Chief Operations Manager Bryce Jackson to Vice President, Director of Operations. Oliver and Jackson will manage company personnel and services on behalf of founder/owners Steve and Doris Colgate, who remain integrally involved in company and community affairs. “For more than 57 years, Steve and I have grown the company, added courses and…

Edson International, a manufacturer of pumps, marine steering systems and marine accessories in New Bedford, MA, has been acquired by marine industry veteran Chip Johns, who previously owned Vanguard Sailboats. Jacob Edson launched the company in 1859 with the invention of the diaphragm pump. The Keene family, with brothers Will and Hank along with father Henry, contributed to the company’s growth. “The Keene family has been at the helm of Edson for over sixty years, and we…

Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, CT has appointed Akeia de Barros Gomes, Ph.D., as the Museum’s new senior curator for social maritime histories. De Barros Gomes, a multi-dimensional museum professional and educator, comes to Mystic Seaport Museum from the New Bedford Whaling Museum. “We look forward to welcoming Akeia back to Connecticut and to our Museum,” said Peter Armstrong, president of Mystic Seaport Museum. “She is a key part of an institution-wide reframing of the traditional narratives…

On May 20, 2021 at the Peconic Bay Sailing Association’s annual meeting held at McCall’s Winery in Cutchogue, NY, PBSA donated $4,000 in profits from their Whitebread 27 Regatta to local youth sailing organizations. Pictured from left to right at the awards presentation are PBSA Commodore Dave Kilbride, Kathy Zappola and Jane Babcook representing Breakwater Yacht Club in Sag Harbor, Dan Kuehn representing East End Youth Sailing (high school sailing team), Dana Lehnert representing Old Cove Yacht…