Meet the BaySail Crew

Owner and Captain Rick Prothero

Rick Prothero began sailing in earnest after moving to Harford County, Maryland in 1979 where he had easy access to the ideal sailing waters of the Chesapeake Bay.  After purchasing a Catalina 22, he quickly developed a passion for sailing. After having the boat for less than a year, he moved up to a larger boat that would accommodate his family for cruising around the Bay.  In the early 90’s Rick combined his passion for cruising, racing and being on the water with his desire to share his experience with others and became a US Sailing instructor. He began teaching kids’ programs with the Baltimore County Sailing Center.  Never satisfied with his own level of competence, Rick pursued getting his Captain’s License followed by becoming a Certified Instructor with ASA.  He began teaching and doing charter work with Baysail in 2002.  Rick continued teaching over the years and enjoyed extending his sailing experiences on the Bay and in the Caribbean. Michael Hirlinger and Rick both began teaching with Baysail about the same time.  Due to COVID, Baysail closed in 2020 and the owner decided that he did not wish to continue his commitment to the sailing school. He presented the option of having the school taken over by some of the active Baysail captains; and so began Rick’s journey into being a part owner of the “BAYSAIL SCHOOL OF SAILING”.  Rick continues to be active in teaching sailing to others as well as cruising around the Bay with his wife Luann, children, grandchildren and friends.  He also is active in racing with the Havre de Grace Yacht Club. Rick holds a 100 Ton Masters License and is Certified in teaching ASA 101 thru 105.

Owner and Captain Michael Hirlinger

In 1976, on a moonlit autumn evening, on the Chesapeake Bay, Michael was introduced to sailing, never looking back.  He purchased his first boat a year later and continued to pursue his affection to sailing, by venturing further out.  After 25 years of sailing his own boats, constructing a 37 ft. Schooner, crewing on charters and delivering boats on the East Coast, Michael started his teaching career.  Michael received his certification with the American Sailing Association in 2001.  He has been teaching at various locations from the Chesapeake Bay to the Virgin Islands.  His current focus is instructing in the Upper Chesapeake Bay.  He enjoys seeing students new to sailing, learn the basics and continue to advance their skills.  Michael has a 50-ton Masters License and he is currently certified to teach ASA 101 through 106.

Office Manager Grace Stamper

Office, IT Manon Pilon-Fry

I am from Montréal, Canada. In 1998, I met my future husband Brian, who at the time had a 1984 Catalina 30′ here in Havre de Grace. That was my first introduction to sailing. I fell in love with him and sailing. We were boatless for 15 years. After our daughter went to university, we decided it was time to get back on the water and purchased our current sailboat a 1993 C&C37/40XL with the intent to cruise south when we retire. October 28, 2022 we untied the lines and went south for the first time on our sailboat.  

Captain Glen Fromm

I tend to get bored with static things, I love to learn new skills, meet new people and travel. Decades ago I read an article from a gentleman who was 87, he had been sailing since he was 17 and said, “every day that he sailed, he learned something new” and I’ve found this to be very true as well. I got started sailing Hobie Cats in my 20s, I took my ASA 101 course and bought my first 23’ monohull in my 30s. I purchased and completely refit my first cruising boat, “Moon Shadow”, a 1976 Cal 34 in my 40s. I sold my house, cars and business and moved onto my boat full time in 2007. We have sailed Moon Shadow extensively from the Chesapeake Bay to New England and down through the Bahamas. When we returned in 2012, we stopped in Annapolis where I received my 50 ton masters license. I was concerned about finding enough work to keep busy, but by the time we got back to Havre de Grace, I had three jobs waiting for me! We purchased a 1976 Gulfstar 41, “Nexus” and spent 4 years doing a complete refit on her, she’s been our new home since 2016. We travel south in the winter and return north to Havre de Grace in the summers, our goal is to only see snow on our terms! I love passing on the skills that I’ve learned on to new sailors, watching them develop their own skills and passion for sailing. I also enjoy working to enhance the skills of more advanced sailors and even after 15 years living and cruising aboard sailboats, I usually learn something new every day…

Captain Dave Ashworth

Dave Ashworth has been sailing since he was a kid when he raced Lightnings in the bays off Ocean City N.J. He has been sailing on the Chesapeake Bay for over 40 years and has numerous long-distance offshore sailing adventures under his belt. He earned his OUPV Captain’s License in 2008 and has been teaching with ASA/Baysail since then. Dave and his family can often be seen sailing their restored Menger Catboat “Peace” in the waters of the upper bay.  When he is not sailing, Dave serves as the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, PA. He has been married since 1978 to the former Kathleen Bantz and they are the proud parents of three daughters, three granddaughters and two grandsons.

 

 

Captain Bill Dix

Bill caught the sailing bug in 2000 when he volunteered on the Historic Skipjack Martha Lewis based in Havre de Grace Md.  Then in 2005 Bill went to Bay Sail and signed up for his Basic Keelboat Class (101). Then followed up in 2006 with the 103/104 Combination Class.  After being a member of SailTime for 2 years he bought his first sailboat, a Bruce Roberts Design 33′ Cutter Rig Sloop.  Bill has sailed to Florida 3 times now using the ICW and many ocean passages.  Bill got his Capt License and his ASA  Instructor Certification in 2012.  He has been instructing at Bay Sail for the past 9 years.  Bill lives in Conowingo MD.  Married 44 years with 8 children.

Captain Julie Tipton

Julie first started sailing when she was in the Navy stationed in Norfolk, VA.  In 2006, she reintroduced herself and her husband back into sailing on a 16’ O’Day.  Now, 6 boats later they own TipSea, a 37’ Gulfstar, and cruise up and down the east coast from FL to Maine and eventually the Caribbean (here’s to 2022 and all things working on the boat).  TipSea’s home is the Chesapeake Bay where she teaches sailing and cruises all summer. She has numerous days’ offshore sailing the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean all year round. Her passion for sailing is evident in her knowledge of sailboats and how they handle. Nothing beats time on the water and crystal clear water you can see the bottom.  Her love of food (Maine lobster) and new friendships she makes, make her time on the water invaluable.  She learns something new every time she goes out on the water.  She also has lots of sea stories for everyone. She is certified in ASA 101, 103, 104 and 105.  She holds a USCG 25 ton license with a sailing endorsement.

Captain Brian Fry

Brian started sailing in the late 90s. His first boat was a Catalina 30 which he sailed, solo, all around the Chesapeake Bay. It was during this time that he met Manon. They have a C&C 37/40, which they live on in Havre de Grace. They just returned from their first trip down the ICW, getting as far as West Palm Beach, including doing 2 legs offshore. Brian also keeps busy doing deliveries, having done offshore jaunts to Bermuda, Puerto Rico, as well as a thrill ride up the inland waterway from Florida to Chicago on a 50 ft motor yacht. Tuesday nights Brian might be found as foredeck crew in the Lightning races in front of the HDGYC. Brian enjoys teaching and knows what it takes to make a sailing dream come true.