The Winds of Carolina inaugural sail was in the fall
of 1996. Since the first season we have enjoyed a 20% growth each year with about 60% of our passengers being repeat customers.
Our USCG licensed Captain (Jay Harvey, "The Skipper") and our First Mate (Rick Johnstone, "Gilligan") have over 100 years sailing experience between them.
"Gilligan" started out as a young man sailing off the coast of Maine and "The Skipper" as a youth sailing off the coast of Massachusetts.
From left: First Mate Rick Johnstone, Captain Jay Harvey,
Our Guests
"Gilligan" served in the USCG and one of his tours of duty brought him to the Oak Island Lighthouse Station. He met and married a local girl and has spent
the last 36 years sailing this area. Aside from his superior sailing skills, he excels in his knowledge of the approaches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape Fear River.
"The Skipper" started sailing on the Massachusetts Bay and worked as a professional crew member on large sailboats as well as motor yachts. Retiring to the Southport area, his dream of getting others to explore
the excitement, serenity and fun of sailing became a reality when he and his wife Jackie ("The Admiral") started: