One of the most important things about Manhattan Sailing School is our AWESOME sailing instructors. We believe we have some of the best instructors in the country! This is mission critical for our school and Commodore Fortenbaugh goes out of his way to attract, groom and support this incredible group of sailing educators. All of them do this for one reason – they LOVE the sport of sailing. This is the same reason for everything we do. Sure we will teach you how to rig and sail a boat. And we will do that best in class. But what we are really teaching is a love of this sport. At the end of your course, our singular goal is that YOU LOVE SAILING TOO!!!!!

I like to think that I’ve always been drawn to water sports because I grew up in a desert. For many years I gravitated to multi-day canoe and rafting expeditions in Minnesota, Colorado and New Mexico. When I moved to the west coast, I took up with sea kayaking expeditions off the coast of Oregon and around Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The sailing bug first bit me as crew on a stretch of the Inside Passage, crossing blue water between Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, Canada’s westernmost island. But when I found myself living in New York City, Manhattan Yacht Club provided an environment where I could develop as a sailor within a fun and varied sailing community that offered experiences skippering in different kinds of fleets, including cruising and racing on J24s, J105s, International One Designs (IODs), 12 Meter boats, Sunfish, and organizing bareboat charters of 45-50’ monohulls and catamarans (during the club’s annual Caribbean Regatta in the British Virgin Islands-BVIs). One thing I’ve discovered – sailing is a perfect lifelong pursuit. No matter how much you learn, there is still a lifetime of problem solving and adventure ahead of you. Fortunately, sailors love sharing their knowledge of problems tacked and solved. That’s why I have grown to love teaching and have received ASA certifications to teach basic keelboat, coastal cruising, coastal navigation and bareboat chartering, as well as a US Coast Guard 25 Ton Master’s License with a sailing endorsement. For me, few things are more fun than sharing a beautiful weekend on New York harbor, as students progress to take the helm and trim the sails with more and more skill and confidence. This year, I’m honored to be the primary instructor bringing Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103) back to Manhattan Sailing School once a month during the summer. As I learned, if you love sailing and apply yourself, the horizon’s the limit!

Five years ago, I set sail with Manhattan Yacht Club and haven’t looked back. This club has been more than just a community—it’s my portal to nature, personal growth, and adventure. I’m passionate about teaching and spend most weekends on the water, helping students build confidence through hands-on experience. Whether it’s the calm escape of cruising, the adrenaline rush of racing, or the simple joy of being present in nature, I’m always eager to share what sailing has given me.

I am a thalassophile… a lover of the sea. I grew-up sailing out of Mamaroneck (Long Island Sound) on a classic sailboat (Luders 33) that I now keep in Sheepshead Bay, and I also have a Hunter 40 that I sail out of Annapolis, MD. I am an avid student of nautical history and have a penchant for knotsmanship and celestial navigation.  I also hold a Coast Guard Master Captain license (with sailing endorsement) and NAUI Master Scuba Diver and Resue Diver certifications.  In a past life below the water, I was a shark diver and volunteered with marine mammal rescue teams.  When I’m not sailing or teaching people to sail, I give back to the sailing community as a Coast Guard Auxiliarist with the Governor’s Island Flotilla and by volunteering at the South Seaport Museum.  What I love most about sailing is the sense of freedom and exploration that it brings as well as the connection with our past, as well as the connection to nature that comes with every sail.  I love sharing my passion for sailing with others and look forward to seeing you out on the water!

I grew up in NJ and by high school you would find me building BMX dirt jumps in Montevideo, Uruguay. So I always liked adventurous sports! I am fluent in Spanish and went on to study math and mechanical engineering. I progressed into video production as a partner and lead cinematographer for the past 10 years. I’ve always like technical pursuits. Early on I was drawn to sailing even though no one else in my family sailed. The magic of it and the feeling of freedom is what keeps me so passionate about sailing. I started out owning a Prindle 16 beach catamaran and progressed through various trailer sailboats. But I always wanted to have a bigger monohull to continue exploring. I’ve sailed offshore as crew on other vessels. Some recent trips include Bermuda to Antigua, Palermo to Greece & the coast of Spain. I currently own a Tartan 34c, a lovely S&S design. MYC is such a special place to learn and to grow. I’m continuously learning and am passionate about being a sailing instructor. It really can be a wonderful hobby, sport and way of life. Few sports will bring you more stories, not just to hear, but to be making of your own.