Meet NauticEd Instructor Bill Ibsen
“You never master sailing – but you can get better at managing uncertainty.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I grew up landlocked in Central Illinois but discovered Viking heritage running through my veins. As Jimmy Buffett sang, I truly am the son of a son of a sailor. My grandfather, Soren Christian Ibsen, captained U.S. tankers on transatlantic crossings before WWII. He retired early after growing concerned about German U-boats – a risk that later claimed one of the very ships he had commanded.
I’ve always been drawn to motorsports – especially F1 and endurance racing. My sons and I competed nationally and internationally in trials motorcycles for many years. I also love immersing myself in different cultures and have visited 44 countries so far.
At heart, I’m an instructor, educator, and coach. Whether teaching business leadership, high-performance driving, motorcycling, or sailing, I love helping people move from nervous beginner to confident practitioner. I’ve written instructional articles for national publications across these fields and co-authored (with psychologist Dr. Andy Ward) the NauticEd course “Effective Command Through Emotional Intelligence” – believed to be the first course of its kind in sailing instruction worldwide.
I’m also a longtime Porsche enthusiast and historian, a published photographer, woodworker, and creator of heirloom toys for my nine grandkids. After 42+ years of marriage, I’m blessed with three children and nine grandchildren – several of whom I hope will one day catch the sailing bug with me.
Favorite Type of Boating?
Sailing, hands down – though I enjoy just being out on the water in general. Much like I appreciate the many different flavors of motorcycling, I enjoy the full spectrum of boating: powerboating, sailing, cruising, racing, endurance events, and everything in between.
What’s your “style” of boating?
Cruising and exploring.
Favorite “type” of boating?
A toss-up between coastal and offshore sailing.
What got you into Boating?
In June 2019, a book club friend suggested we hold our next discussion aboard a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. None of us had ever done anything like it. Within the first hour of leaving Voyage Yachts marina in Tortola, I was completely hooked. The freedom, the blend of mechanical, hydrodynamic, and aerodynamic challenges, the quiet power of the trade winds, and the stunning beauty surrounding us captured my heart. I signed up for ASA 101 sailing lessons on Lake Lanier as soon as I returned home.
What does boating do (or has done) for you?
Sailing – especially cruising in exquisite places – creates space and time to truly luxuriate in relationships, which has deepened the quality of my life. Sailing has taken me to places I never dreamed of (nine different countries and counting!) and to breathtaking spots inaccessible to most tourists. It has also honed my perception of risk and stretched my adventurous spirit across a wild blue planet full of wonder.
Most memorable boating experience?
Sailing past the Parthenon and Acropolis – the same sight Roman warships saw in 148 B.C.; watching breaching humpback whales outside Bora Bora; anchoring on the volcanic black beaches of St. Vincent; soaking in the stunning color palettes of Tahiti; and enjoying aquamarine waters at sunset across the BVI islands.
What are a couple of your favorite boating spots?
Tahiti (especially Huahine and Bora Bora)
Hvar, Croatia
Hydra, Greece
British Virgin Islands, especially Virgin Gorda
What’s your favorite part about teaching boating students?
There’s nothing better than watching a nervous or unconfident student gradually blend solid theory with good technique — one step at a time — until they light up with real competence and joy. I love helping people discover they can become capable, confident sailors.
What advice would you give a new student about boating? An experienced boater?
New student: All of us were newbies once. Learn through repetition, stay curious, and never be afraid to ask the so-called “dumb” question. Build a strong foundation in sailing fundamentals—it boosts confidence and keeps you (and your crew) safe. Don’t just try to “pass” NauticEd tests; the concepts are genuinely useful for success and safety.
Experienced boaters: The best sailors never stop learning. Approach every instructor with humility and gratitude. Even a former Olympic-level racer I know was surprised by how much he picked up from NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Master courses. Keep learning—the nuances and hacks never end.
What is a random fact about yourself?
For several years I worked as a driving instructor at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, teaching complete newcomers how to handle Porsches on the racetrack and drift course — including one well-known actor from Downton Abbey and the Divergent series.
What’s on your boating ‘bucket list’?
Transatlantic crossing
La Paz
Seychelles
Amalfi Coast
Belize
Where can we find you?
Find me on NauticEd as an instructor based in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Author
NauticEd is a fully recognized education and certification platform for sailing students combining online and on-the-water real instruction (and now VR). NauticEd offers +24 online courses, a free sailor's toolkit that includes 2 free courses, and six ranks of certification – all integrated into NauticEd’s proprietary platform. The USCG and NASBLA recognize NauticEd as having met the established American National Standards. Learn more at www.nauticed.org.
The NauticEd Vacations team are Expert Global Yacht Charter Agents – when you book a sailing vacation or bareboat charter through NauticEd, we don’t charge you a fee – we often save you money since we can compare prices from all yacht charter companies. PLUS, we can give you advice on which destination or charter company will suit your needs best. Inquire about a Sailing Vacation or Charter.
