James Ashton

Marblehead, Massachusetts USA

Level V Bareboat Charter Master Rank Chief Sailing Instructor / Assessor

My lifelong passion for sailing began 40 years ago as a toddler on our family's 40' sloop on Long Island Sound. It was then I discovered my passion and natural aptitude for sailing. Throughout high school and college, I was a very competitive sailor, racing small one design boats and eventually competing on the national level. After college, I was drawn to coastal cruising and long distance blue water sailing. I have been fortunate to sail throughout New England, as well as Australia, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. I have found there to be so many aspects to the sport and there is always something new to learn. In 2011, after a 20 year career in the corporate world, I made the jump to being an entrepreneur which was also a time that I felt motivated to explore sailing professionally. I obtained a US Coast Guard Captain's License and became a certified sailing instructor.