In early February, I journeyed to Miami, Florida, for a sailing expedition. My good friend, Aaron Isaacson, had established an organization named Sail to Win, dedicated to developing programs that benefit veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and individuals with disabilities. Although our team usually operates off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island, we decided to venture to South Florida for the winter of 2024. One significant reason for our trip to Miami, and more specifically to Coconut Grove, Florida, was to inspect a Marstrom M32 catamaran sailboat. This location is home to the Shake A Leg nonprofit organization, which facilitates boating, fishing, and sailing experiences for people with various disabilities.
Upon our arrival at Shake A Leg, we made our way to the hangar, once used by the Coast Guard to house seaplanes. Here, we assembled the M32 sailboat before rolling it down to the boat ramp for our test sail. Prior to my arrival in Florida, I had heard much about this boat—its speed and its construction from carbon fiber. The assembly process was intricate, allowing me to appreciate the boat’s design and materials. Imagine two floating hulls connected by trampolines with a large sail in the center—simple, yet remarkably light and fast, designed to glide or dance over the water.
Unfortunately, we encountered bad weather on our first day, leading us to take a smaller boat out. As a storm approached, we quickly returned to the dock, narrowly avoiding the rain as we walked away from our moored sailboat. The following day, with the weather still unfavorable, we opted for an Everglades tour on a fan boat. The experience, enriched by our guide’s insights and the wildlife we encountered, was memorable.
Finally, on the last day before our departure, we seized the opportunity to sail. With the wind around 15 knots, we knew we had to make it happen. The boat was exhilarating, capable of sudden bursts of speed, almost flying across the water. Some team members leaned far out on the trampoline to prevent the sailboat from heeling over. At times, we nearly reached 27 knots, shattering my previous sailing speed record of 11 knots. The captain joked about hanging on “like a cat” if we went vertical, a scenario I found daunting yet thrilling.
For safety, I wore a helmet, mindful of the risk of being thrown from the boat. This experience was wild and unforgettable, offering me valuable insights into sailing such an extraordinary vessel. Although the M32 catamaran is not suitable for crossing the Atlantic—a goal we’re training for—every sailing adventure teaches me more about wind, currents, and sailboat design.
I’m grateful for this incredible journey, the knowledge gained, and the support of my team and Aaron Isaacson. This post captures some of the amazing moments from our trip, a testament to the thrill and beauty of sailing. Thank you to everyone involved for making this experience possible.