If You’re Interested in Becoming a Skipper

The Manhattan Sailing Club Mentor Program assists members who want to become club-certified skippers. Through the program, participants will hone their sailing and boat handling skills and prepare for the responsibility of commanding a boat in our busy harbor.

To enter the program, you should already have advanced sailing and boat handling skills; a good knowledge of our harbor, club and safety rules; and a detailed understanding of the J/24 boats we sail. (And don’t forget about those knots you should know how to tie!) To be fully aware of what will be expected of you as a skipper, the Skipper Certification Test and the  Skipper Agreement should be considered required reading.  If you aren’t sure about your readiness, we recommend that you participate in some Fleet Captain sails and ask the skippers for their feedback. 

Becoming a skipper has many rewards, but it also demands a serious commitment.  If you feel you are indeed ready to join the mentor program, please email details of your sailing experience to me at  pw.bryan@gmail.com.  Please include the names of MSC skippers with whom you have sailed. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Once accepted, you’ll be on your way to joining the ranks of the other 150+ skippers of the Manhattan Sailing Club.

Program Mentors

Once accepted into the program, we strongly recommend that you sail with many different mentors because it goes without saying, everyone has different strengths, and you will learn something new from each mentor. Below is a list of skippers who have volunteered to help you:

• Peter Abelman peter@innovaxpillar.com

• Veronique Bourdon vero10002@gmail.com

• Patty Bryan pw.bryan@gmail.com

• Jason Delisky  (Please contact on the docks)

• Graham Files gramentor@grahamfiles.com

• Richard Jesaitis rjesaitis@aol.com

• Neil Keliher (nkelliher@nyc.rr.com)

• Joan Lappin Joan Lappin lappinje@aol.com

• Molly Peterson petersonflower@yahoo.com

• Ray Quinn raymond.quinn@arup.com

• Kinya Tago  kinyatago@gmail.com

• Ted Wallace twallace10@nyc.rr.com

 

If You’re Interested in Becoming a Mentor

Club skippers are the backbone of the program. The Mentor Program is always interested in adding more talented mentors to our Mentor Program.  If you are an experienced MSC skipper and think you might like to volunteer your time and share your experience, please contact me at pw.bryan@gmail.com. For more information about being a mentor, please you can also take a look at A Mentor's Manual (PDF 104KB).