Our Instructors
Captain David Metzler
Captain David started out sailing in the 80's and has captained and crewed sailboats from 10' to 50' in a dozen states and countries. His passion is learning everything that can be learned about sailing and sailboats. Captain David has spent the years, crewing, breaking, repairing, building, surveying, cursing, loving, delivering, buying and selling sailboats.
In 2013 David decided it would be fun to share this passion with others and started teaching. He got is USCG captain's license and ASA teaching certifications for 101, 103, 104, 105 and 106.
Captain David has worked with several hundred students, and seeing a new student really start developing the confidence of a real sailor is his greatest joy.
Captain Clifford Cohen
"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." - Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows“
Captain Cliff has been messing about in boats on Long Island Sound and beyond for more than 45 years. In 1974, he discovered there is no better sound than that of a sailboat's engine turning off when it is not needed. Since then, Cliff has logged thousands of hours daysailing, racing and cruising aboard a variety of boats from 14 to 40+ feet.
In addition to being a professional sailing instructor, Cliff is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and an Emergency Medical Services Instructor (EMS-I). When he is not teaching, Cliff can be found either maintaining, launching and hauling boats at his home port in Branford, Connecticut or sailing with his wife aboard their Islander 36.
Known and respected for his calm demeanor and commitment to safety, Cliff takes great pride in helping his students to become confident boat handlers and fully capable sailors.
Mark J. Holian, Owner
Mark J. Holian, a native of Southington, Connecticut, spent his childhood vacations along the east coast's shoreline, from Maine to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Spending more time on the water was a dream until Mark made it a reality. A successful contractor, restoration specialist and post & beam construction expert for over 20 years, Mark makes things happen. With his training and education in civil engineering and surveying, sailing continued to intrigue him.
After obtaining his ASA 101 and ASA 103 certifications, Mark caught the sailing bug badly and purchased New Dawn, a Hunter 336 to support others in fulfilling their dreams of learning to sail.
Mark looks forward to meeting and challenging you to live life to the fullest.