Let's Go Sailing
Specializing in: Docking/Boat Handling, Charter/Boat Delivery, Sailing Instruction/Trip Preparation.
Contact us now if you are ready to go sailing, or want to buy/sell a yacht!
Yacht Brokerage
- Let Captain Z utilize his 30+ years of experience to find the right yacht to fit your exact needs
- Shop with confidence knowing Captain Z will perform a thorough inspection of any yacht prior to purchase
- List your yacht for sale with Captain Z and benefit from decades of connections in the sailing and yachting world
GALLERY
ABOUT
Captain Michael Zornes has spent the last 30 years honing his sailing skills. Over the course of his career, he has captained over 100 different boats ranging in size from 35 to 85 feet and he's delivered boats all over the east and west coasts, Cuba, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. His mission is to provide the individual instruction that will make both novice and experienced sailors more confident in their skills and therefore, more comfortable on their vessels.
Personal Info
Biography
Captain Michael Zornes was born in Independence, Kentucky and grew up on a beef farm. It was there that he developed a work ethic that was based on attention to detail, a devotion to acting responsibly and a habit of aspiring to excellence. At the young age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Army and served his country stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge from the service, he became a professional DJ. However, it wasn't long before his boyhood dream beckoned and he high tailed it to Florida to become a full time sailor. Over the course of his career, Captain Z has captained private vessels, been director of various sailing centers in and around Tampa Bay, has run charter fleets, instructed ASA sailing students and been the operations "go-to" person for both charter companies and private boat owners. His knowledge extends to boat systems, including chart plotters, other electronics and engines. Captain Z has a proven track record as an instructor. He shares his knowledge and expertise in a fun and relaxed manner but it is his ability to provide clear instruction and demonstration that will improve every aspect of docking, boat handling and sailing in both novice sailors and new boat owners.Qualifications:
- US Coast Guard, Master of Steam, Motor or Auxilliary Sail Vessels of Not more than 100 Gross Registered Tons. Authorized to engage in Commercial Towing.
- Class A Bahamian Captain License 100 Gross Registered Tons
- United States Sailing Association, Certified Instructor
- American Sailing Association, Certified Instructor
- SCUBA School International, Open Water Certified Diver
- Sea School Diploma, Captain's Course, St Petersburg, FL
- Florida Marine Patrol, Safe Boater Certificate
TESTIMONIALS
The following are testimonials from satisfied clients living the dream:
Our first sail in Florida!
Dear Capt. Z, Tino and I want to thank you again for delivering Squisita to St. Pete from Miami. It was an exciting trip for us as it was our first sail in Florida. We were impressed by your knowledge, sailing experience and professionalism. Your enthusiasm for sailing and thoughtfulness made the trip an unforgettable experience. We will highly recommend your services to anyone, especially new owners. Hope to sail with you again in the near future!
In a word...respect.
Captain Z has not only become one of my closet friends, but over the last 20 years of sailing, racing and cruising together, has earned my utmost respect. I have entrusted my life and the lives of my family countless times in his capable hands. I have also observed first hand his passion for sailing, his devotion to his crew and seen the profound impact he has made on the lives of those who have hired him to sail them to distant shores, to teach them docking skills and to race to victory. As a professional yacht broker, I refer my clients to the captain without hesitation. I hold his ability to instruct and transfer knowledge in the highest regard. I know that he will take great care to meet each individual sailor's needs and provide the kind of support and instruction necessary to make their time on the water safe and FUN. Because after all, FUN is what it's all about!
Vacation of a lifetime!
Dear Capt. Z, When we boarded, our lives changed forever. Tales of wild adventures and exotic locations filled our heads. What we found was a captain that knows his vessel and the wind as well as his shipmates. Regardless of weather conditions, you were able to find that balance and give us a vacation of a lifetime!
What do you call the pointy end?
In 2014, my husband and I bought a Catalina 445 sailing vessel. Exciting, except I had never sailed and didn't know the first thing about boats. However, I was determined to live the dream, so I looked for a captain who could teach me, well, everything. After a couple of false and discouraging starts with other captains, I was referred to Captain Z and I knew I had finally found someone who could teach me what I needed to know to become a sailor. As I mentioned, I had a couple of false starts. What sold me initially on Capt. Z was that he operated with integrity. I immediately understood that I could trust him to take care that I didn't hurt myself or my boat. He quickly demonstrated boat handling skills that made me trust that he could get me out of whatever impending catastrophe I managed to get myself into! He was always well prepared and had a plan but would make adjustments appropriately, according to weather and wind. He taught by example to respect the sea and its conditions so sailing was FUN! Throughout my experience, I have been impressed by the depth and breadth of the Captain's knowledge and his passion for life on the water. He shares his knowledge in a clear and concise manner with an intuitive understanding of how a person learns so each lesson builds both skills and confidence. And the results? We started with the basics (the pointy end is the bow, by the way). I worked with the Captain for a solid month on docking, sailing and general boat knowledge. He taught me so well that I was able to challenge the ASA tests 101 and 103 and pass with flying colors. I also learned to dock my boat well enough for people watching to comment on my skill and I can plot a course using both paper and electronic methods. I am also capable of performing all preventive maintenance and understand all the systems on the boat. To say Captain Z has had a huge impact on my sailing life is an understatement. The fact that I feel confident in my boat handling skills has enhanced both my husband's and my own enjoyment of our time spent on the water and we look forward to a life full of cruising adventures. And for that, I have to thank Captain Z.
CONTACT