David Kunselman
Owner, Instructor, Captain
David is a passionate sailor, sailing instructor and US Coast Guard licensed captain with experience in all types of sailboats. A retired US Navy Commander and long time ASA instructor he brings a breadth of experience to sailing classes. David has taught sailing to all ages of sailors and is focused on trying to encourage new people to join the sailing community and share in his love of sailing.
Molly Kunselman
Co-Owner
With a boat project recently published in Annapolis Home Magazine, Molly is an interior designer and sailing enthusiast. She has been sailing with her husband, David, since they bought their first boat in 2015. In college, she had her first sailing experience in Holland on a 10-day port-to-port cruise learning about Dutch history and culture.
Jeff Carlsen
Instructor, Captain
Jeff is a seasoned sailor and US Coast Guard licensed 100-ton captain with extensive experience from dinghies to ocean cruisers. He has spent two years cruising with his family across 12,000 miles from Newfoundland to the Virgin Islands, integrating sailing with home-schooling. A retired US Navy Commander and experienced racer, Jeff is passionate about teaching sailing with a focus on family-friendly and relaxed learning environments.
Chris Staley
Instructor, Captain
Chris is a lifelong sailor skilled in handling everything from dinghies to cruising catamarans. He’s a licensed Coast Guard Captain with a 100-Ton Master credential and an ASA instructor since 2007, capable of teaching advanced sailing courses. Chris has over a decade of experience as a charter fishing captain and operates commercial marine assistance vessels. His passion for teaching sailing is evident, and when not instructing, he enjoys sailing his Oday 34 around Solomons and fishing on the Bay.
Lisa Batchelor Frailey
Founder, Master Instructor, and Charter Broker
Lisa has a rich background in boating on the Chesapeake Bay, starting from age ten. She is a retired US Navy Captain with 24 years of service as a Naval Flight Officer, Navigator, and Oceanographer/Meteorologist. As a US Coast Guard licensed captain and ASA Sailing Instructor, she teaches up to ASA’s Advanced Coastal Cruising standard. Lisa has over 35 years of experience across various power and sailing vessels and has instructed in locations worldwide. She founded Sail Solomons Sailing School and Yacht Charters and is also involved in marine service corporations.
Andy Batchelor
Master Instructor, Captain
Andy, an English native and retired Royal Air Force Wing Commander, has dedicated over 25 years to teaching sailing up to the ASA Advanced Coastal Cruising standard. He has instructed in various locations worldwide, including the Caribbean and the United States. With experience as Director of Marine Services and Fleet Manager, he is also the President of AlloraMare, Inc., founder of Sail Solomons Sailing School and Yacht Charters, and co-owner of Kinetic Sailing. Awarded ASA Outstanding Instructor multiple times, Captain Andy specializes in dockmanship and advanced sailing techniques.
Mark Gyorgy
Instructor, Captain
Mark, an ASA-certified sailing instructor with a USCG Masters license, discovered his passion for sailing at age 9, growing up in Maine. His love for the water led to a successful US Navy Helicopter Pilot and instructor career. For over 20 years, Mark has raced his Tartan Pride P270, “Wicked Good,” and various small boats. He is a dedicated board member and President of the Southern Maryland Sailing Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting youth sailing through the Sailing Center Chesapeake.
Carl Damm
Instructor, Captain
Carl, an ASA-certified sailing instructor with a USCG Master 500T license, grew up sailing on the Great Lakes. After graduating with a BFA in Theatre Arts, he embarked on a 40-year career sailing professionally throughout the Caribbean,Mediterranean, East Coast USA, Bahamas, and Capetown. As founder and President of DAMSEL MARINE SERVICES in Stuart, Florida, Carl specializes in safely delivering offshore yachts to new destinations. He is a proud owner of a Compact 19 and is currently restoring a classic Tartan 27. A lifelong friend of Jeff Carlsen, Carl has been instrumental in keeping him out of trouble since 7th grade.
Robin Moon
Instructor, Captain
Robin, an ASA-certified sailing instructor with a USCG Masters license, grew up sailing with her family in Long Island Sound. She shared this passion with her children as well, and began teaching sailing after retiring from the Navy. Robin is at home on the water and uses sailing to instill a sense of adventure and empowerment.
John Laffman
Instructor, Captain
John is an ASA‑certified sailing instructor and US Coast Guard–licensed captain who discovered his passion for sailing in his thirties after a visit to the Annapolis Boat Show. Inspired by local sailing clubs, he immersed himself in the sport and eventually moved into teaching. Raised on Long Island, he grew up with a deep appreciation for the water, later honing his skills on the Chesapeake Bay. With more than two decades of experience, John brings both expertise and enthusiasm to every lesson. He’s a patient, thorough instructor who loves seeing students realize they’re truly sailing.
Bill Schwab
Instructor, Captain
Bill is an Advanced Coastal Cruising and Catamaran Instructor, a 25 Ton Master USCG Captain, and a lifelong sailor who taught kids American Red Cross sailing on AMF Sunfish at summer camp. He has 20k sea miles doing transits in Europe, Caribbean, and N. America. He also spent the past six seasons as lead instructor for ASA 101/103. Two of those seasons he was recognized by the previous school for outstanding contributions to the program. Bill has owned two sailboats and now serves as Boson on a club racing boat. His professional work background is Industrial & Systems Engineering; therefore, trained in safe work methods and all the mechanics applicable to sailing. Finally, a father of twin 22-year-olds, which certainly helps with patience.
Dan Dobbins
Instructor, Captain
Dan, an ASA-certified sailing instructor with a USCG Masters 25-Ton license and sailing endorsement always had a passion for sailboats even though his brothers and friends in Florida leaned toward powerboats. One day, when they were looking the other way, Dan bought a 14-foot Hobie Cat. His first adventure was sailing around the small islands in The Florida Bay off Key Largo. That high wind adventure had many knock downs, but Dan managed and returned to port safely. That little boat and the circumnavigation reinforced his love of sailing. Dan is now retired and not only does he teach sailing, but he is also a Mate on the Calvert Marine Museum’s Skipjack, Dee of St. Mary’s, and skippers the 36-foot Hooper Island Sewell Draketail fishing boat, also located at the museum. And on Wednesdays, you can find him at the helm racing the Navy Patuxent Sailing Club’s 44 Luders yawl.
David Metzler
Instructor, Captain
Captain David has been sailing on and off for over forty years. He started with a Sunfish and had some misadventures with a wooden schooner plus a string of home-built boats and classic plastic. For the last ten plus years he has focused on sharing his love of sailing with anyone who shares his love of the water. As a charter boat captain his goal is to create a memorable fun and safe experience. As an ASA instructor his style is based on what the student needs. Some students want step by step instruction. Some want theory first and some want to just do it. He is fascinated by different learning styles and aims to accommodate every student. Captain David has recently moved to the Annapolis area to be closer to his son, with whom he shared his love of sailing, who owns East Coast Marine Rigging.