On Watch

Dick Lathrop is founder of Sea-Legs, a non-profit organization in New London, CT.

Hilary and Anthony Kotoun may be the “sailing-est” couple in Newport, Rhode Island. Hilary is the Communications and Programs Manager at Sailors for the Sea, an international organization that educates and engages the boating community in the worldwide protection of the oceans. Anthony is a professional captain and sailor whose CV includes victories in the J/24 World Championship, Melges 32 World Championship, and Moth National and North American Championships. He’s also an Ambassador for 11th Hour Racing,…

By Colleen Perry Luxurious yacht interiors photographed in exquisite lighting; cruisers slicing through the water or resting in a quiet harbor at dusk or dawn – these are the images of world-renowned photographer Billy Black. The summer of 2013 will always stay in my memory as the year I crossed paths with Billy. I was immediately impressed with Billy’s friendly, gracious nature. Later, as we talked about his work, I was struck by his humility as he gave…

Kieran’s served as Rear Commodore (Programs) 2008-2009, Vice Commodore 2010-2011 and Commodore since 2012

No sailor on the Stamford Yacht Club lawn after this year’s Vineyard Race was prouder than Peter Becker, the chairman of the Junior Big Boat program at American Yacht Club in Rye, NY. Peter was the navigator on the winning boat, and among the eight young sailors aboard the J/122 Patriot were his 15-year-old son Key and daughter Carina, 14. “I was on a boat when I was probably a couple days old,” says Peter. “I’m the oldest…

The informative and entertaining “From the Captain of the Port” columns in WindCheck are written by Vincent T. Pica, II, the District Commodore of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s First District Southern Region. “I grew up in Westchester County, New York, and boating on Long Island Sound was always a part of my life,” says Vin. “Canoes, rafts, sailboats, motorboats…if it floated, we were on it. My friend Marty Boorstein started me on set and drift and things…

Iris Vogel is among the nicest people we’ve ever met, but don’t let her friendly, gentle demeanor fool you. A fiercely competitive sailor, Iris has won several national championships.  “I fell in love with sailing on a lake in Germany when I was 10 years old,” says Iris, who lives in New Rochelle, NY. “But I didn’t really learn how to sail until I was 20, when I took a course at the New York Sailing School…

In 2008, Justin Coplan became one of the first recipients in the International Lightning Class Association’s Boat Grant Program. Today, Justin (pictured at left with teammates Danielle Pryor and Mike Carney) is a co-chair of this unique program, which gives enthusiastic young teams an opportunity to sail a race-ready boat in a very strong one-design class. “I started sailing an Opti when I was 10 years old in the junior program at the Nyack Boat Club in…

A shared love of sailing and a desire to help others inspired Diane Kropfl & Bill Sabanski of Highlands, NJ to help build the Ms. Race, a unique charity regatta hosted by the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club that raises funds for an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. “I started sailing when I was five years old,” says Diane. “My father built an 11-foot mahogany Evanston Robin from a kit in our basement, and…

Gregor Tarjan is one of the most passionate people we’ve ever met. The founder and owner of Aeroyacht Ltd. in East Setauket, NY, Gregor has unbridled enthusiasm for designing and sailing fast multihull yachts and restoring and driving vintage race cars. “I was obsessed with boats as a kid, and I started drawing them when I was five years old,” says Gregor. “I was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, and started sailing with my brother Michael on…