Meet NauticEd Instructor Dave Stern
“In some way, I feel my identity is linked with sailing.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Love sailing and travel. Luckily, I have been able to combine these two. I have skippered bare boat trips in Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Holland, Italy, France, Azores, numerous Caribbean islands, San Juan/Victoria Islands.
Favorite Type of Boating?
Sailing.
What’s your “style” of boating?
Cruiser (chill).
Favorite “type” of boating?
Coastal / Excursions.
What got you into Boating?
While stationed at the US Navy submarine base in Groton, Ct. many years ago, a basic sailing course was being offered. I felt, as a US Navy officer, it made sense to know how to sail. Sailing has been a passion ever since.
What does boating do (or has done) for you?
I probably should not admit this, but in some way I feel my identity is linked with sailing. In high school and college it was dirt bike riding/racing. For the past 30+ years it is sailing.
Most memorable boating experience?
One day in October in New Jersey I was raking leaves. The weather was warm with a light breeze. Perfect for a sail. So, I decided to head to Greenwood Lake and rent a small keelboat without an engine. For the next few hours I had what was possibly the most enjoyable sail that I ever had. When I returned to the dock under sail and single-handed, perfectly I might add, I felt so refreshed and content.
What are a couple of your favorite boating spots?
My favorite sailing location was Turkey. This was my first international trip as a skipper. Winds were strong but not too strong. The scenery and historical locations were spectacular. My first Med moors were an accomplishment. After a week of sailing we visited Istanbul. What a fascinating city: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Bosporus.
What’s your favorite part about teaching boating students?
Transferring knowledge and seeing someone’s skill level increase because of what I said or showed them is extremely satisfying. Further, teaching serves to enhance my own skills and knowledge.
What advice would you give a new student about boating? An experienced boater?
With sailing, education is continuous. Sail as much as you can, on as many different type of boats as you can and with different skippers and crews. Each trip is a learning experience, sometimes from those with less experience.
What is a random fact about yourself?
I was personally selected by the late Admiral Hyman Rickover, considered to be the “father” of the nuclear navy, for entry into the US Navy nuclear propulsion officer program.
What’s on your boating ‘bucket list’?
New Zealand.
Author
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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.
