Charlie grew up in San Francisco and Marin, sailing on the Bay as a teenager and started racing ocean-going boats in 1992. Since learning to sail, over 28 years ago, he has been fortunate to sail on many different types of sailboats, and with a variety of people. In his own words, Charlie says,

"Sailing is a way of life. The teamwork, shared responsibility, and mental and physical challenges are as demanding as the benefits are rewarding. Each experience teaches us something new–about sailing, the sea, and often about ourselves as well. I have been blessed to have worked on boats that have not only won prestigious recognition but have challenged me to continue learning and growing my skills. I have had the opportunity to understand how knowledge, preparation and focus give me the courage and capability to make dreams into reality, to sail across oceans, to learn valuable self-reliance in the face of Mother Nature's fickle presentation, and to meet wonderful people who share a common goal: Live life to its fullest, take care of each other and have fun. It is an honor to have worked with such skilled sailors."

Charlie's sailing experiences have taken him as far south as Tahiti and throughout the Polynesians, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji, to Cabo San Lucas along the Mexican coastline, north along the West Coast, Catalina, the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, the Farallons and extensively in San Francisco Bay. Northward up the coast, over the treacherous Columbia River Bar, and on to Portland, Oregon. More north still, in and around Seattle, Vancouver Island, Victoria, B.C., and all through the San Juans and down into the far reaches and picturesque inlets of the breathtaking Puget Sound.

Charlie has also had the unique opportunity to cruise the Bering Sea, the Aleutian Chain, and east to the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka, where the the environment is cold and difficult but builds a sailor's respect. Of course, he has been lucky to also sail extensively in the tropical 20's, in Hawaii and the Caribbean. Most recently, he's had delivery and cruising experience in the French Polynesian Islands, and the Pacific's Line Islands.

Charlie is certified as an Instructor with the American Sailing Association and is a writer and musician when he's not sailing. Charlie keeps a blog that can be found here.