"I bought my father out of the Contest business in 1986. From 1982 to 1992 I sold and delivered 30 new Contests, with over 600 days at sea during this time in the course of delivering or demonstrating boats. Also in 1986, I formed another business, Martinus van Breems, Inc. to develop one of my inventions, the Dutchman Sail Flaking System. This product is standard equipment on the largest US Boatbuilder, Catalina, and offered by most sailmakers.
We have subsequently introduced several more highly regarded products (www.mvbinfo.com). In the course of this business, I sailed many boats, including an Alden 54 in Antigua Race Week, a Santa Cruz 70 and 52 in Santa Cruz CA, the 90' Maxi Nirvana and many Hunter's, Catalina's and other sailboats from all over the country. From 1991 - 94, I owned a Contest 35, which I made several trips to Maine on.
"In 1995 I started Sound Sailing Center. I had joined and greatly enjoyed the Boston Sailing Center in College, and did lots of instruction to new boat owners. Our fleet started out with 3 boats, 2 Ensigns and the CS27. In 1998 I purchased and rebuilt our J44 'Monhegan', which I raced in the Bermuda 1/2 in 1999, finishing in 3 days, 1 hour. This beat the previous record, and is probably still the fastest time ever for a J44 racing to Bermuda. In 2000, I raced Monhegan in the Ostar singlehanded transatlantic race, and was the only finisher of the 5 US starters. Over 70% on the entries under 50' dropped out due to difficult conditions. We continue to add boats, and by 2002 we had 5 Ensigns and one Pearson 37. I continue to refine and improve our curriculum. Unlike many other Sailing School directors, I still love to teach, and am out there almost every weekend in the late spring and early summer."
Our primary team of instructors are:
TOM B. After a career in filmmaker, Tom has worked as an instructor for SSC for over 10 years. He is a USCG Master with offshore and sailing endorsements. Tom owns a Hanse 411 (which he bought before we signed up as dealers – his experience in part convinced us to take on the line). He cruises her locally in summer and works as a professional captain of power and sailing yachts in Florida and the Bahamas in winter. He formerly owned a classic Cape Dory followed by a Dutch-built Contest 36. He is highly knowledgeable and a great cruising yachtsman. He is both a US Sailing and ASA certified instructor through Bareboat Cruising and Advanced Navigation, has skippered the Marion Bermuda race and won two awards, including the special seamanship award in 2003.
JEFF M. After a successful career as an Investment Banker, with the last 3 years running his own firm, Jeff made a major career move and now teaches 5th-grade math. Jeff has extensive racing experience, both round the bouys and offshore. We knew he would do well teaching – Jeff has taught with for us for over 8 years. He may seem low key, and has the patience of a saint, yet as a former Marine, he knows how to get the job done. US Sailing Basic Keelboat instructor.
TOM C. One of our most popular instructors, Tom runs his own IT firm, after working in IT for a variety of media firms like Martha Stewart’s Omnimedia. Tom’s energy level and enthusiasm make learning fun. Tom has taught with us for over 6 years. Besides actively sailing all the SSC fleet, Tom has chartered in a variety of locations. His story of saving a Jeanneau 36 from almost certain sinking is one of our favorites. US Sailing Basic Keelboat instructor.
ARIE B. Martin’s nephew, Arie has run the junior program at Sound Sailing for 3 years. Arie learned at the CPYC Junior program, and is now a college junior in Michigan studying Engineering. He is also rebuilding a Sabre 28, which he is looking forward to going cruising on himself. His infinite patience with the younger set amazes us, and he has also done a great job with adult classes.
BART S. Bart has taught at five different sailing schools, including one of the largest and best schools in CA, Olympic Circle Sailing Club on San Francisco Bay. A home builder and contractor, also Bart is restoring an Erickson 46 and owns a classic Etchells. He has many years experience as one design racer. While he misses the Bay area, we’re glad to have this Connecticut native and knowledgeable professional instructor back home in New England, where he learned to sail as a kid. He holds a 100 Ton USCG Captain's license and is a US Navy Certified as an Offshore Skipper and Instructor.
FRANK M. Frank is an expert navigator and delivery skipper, and has covered thousands of miles in recent years on a wide variety of vessels. Quiet, low key and knowledgeable with strong technical skills, Frank knows his stuff, and our students benefit. He loves to throw in lots of nav info into even Basic Keelboat classes, and has also taught Basic and Advanced Cruising. US Sailing certified to Bareboat and USCG Captain.
JOHN P. John grew up in the Norwalk area, and has taught with Sound Sailing for over 10 years. He is an active member at Ceder Point Yacht Club, one of the leading sailboat racing in the area, and enjoys both big boat and dingy racing. After working for Dutchman, our sister company, John went on to be the rookie salesman of the year at Met Life (add john’s web site). One of our instructor trainers, John combines knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm for sailing. US Sailing certified Basic Keelboat instructor.
JIM B. Jim grew up sailing dingy’s in the Midwest, and started teaching at SSC when he moved out east 6 years ago. A Phd and college professor of Oceanography and Meterology at U Conn, Jim also uses SSC facilities for his research into ocean temp sensing, a favorite area of research for him. He spends a lot of time on offshore oceanographic vessels, and has also raced on Monhegan to Bermuda. Jim is an expert instructor an avid sailor, and a US Sailing certified Basic Keelboat instructor. Emailed 2/12
JOE T. Hailing from the Albany area, Joe was one of our most enthusiastic and popular instructors for many years until he moved back to Albany. Joe even met his wife while sailing on our J44, which he was instrumental in rebuilding. An avid bike racer, Joe missed sailing on the Sound, and is back teaching with us. US Sailing certified Basic Keelboat instructor.
TIM D. Tim was one of the very first instructors at SSC back in 1996. With a corporate marketing background, he has been involved in the marine business for many years, most recently as the program director for a Boston based sailing club. Now back in the Fairfield County area running a residential / commercial construction industry business, we are pleased to have him teaching with us again for 2006. He is US Sailing Certified though Bareboat, and is a USCG captain.
LEE W. Lee is a superb musician and music instructor, who is equally adept at sailing instruction. Trimming, tuning, it’s all in a days work for Lee! Lee is truly multicultural, and travels extensively, with another home in Europe. Like most great instructors or teachers, Lee is very much a people person and a great communicator, who hits all the right notes! Lee has a lifetime of sailing experience, primarily on the racing side of things. US Sailing Certified
GEORGE K. With over 30 years of sailing experience, many offshore passage on Monhegan between Norwalk and St Thomas and a transatlantic and transpacific passages, George soon will have more offshore miles than even Martin! George has a fascinating background, starting out as an engineer in the Apollo space program. After many years as a successful Venture Capitalist, primarily working on high-tech projects based in the US and Far East, George is now searching for his ideal cruising yacht, which looks to be a performance orientated Catamaran that he and his wife can enjoy sailing around the world on. George will soon have his USCG Captains License and US Sailing Basic Keelboat instructor.
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