I grew up in Tiburon, sailing at the San Francisco Yacht Club starting at age 7. In 1984, I won my first National Sailing Championship in El Toros. I went on to become a professional sailor, competing in long-distance ocean races then IOR or One Designs Fleets. Our team won the 1999 Transpacific Yacht Race aboard Grand Illusion a Santa Cruz 70. I also participated in three America's Cup campaigns as Mainsheet trimmer with America True (2000), BMW/ORACLE Racing (2003), and Shosholoza (2007). In 2007 I also founded the Sausalito Challenge 2007 America’s Cup team which later folded into Shoshaloza.

In the 90s, I was a yacht broker and sold Nautor Swans and created the 11:Metre One Design Fleet and the Citibank Cups. I helped launch the 1D35 fleet and was the first person to bring Protector inflatables to the USA. In 2000 I purchased four IACC yachts restored them and ran the IACCSF Challenge Series with Larry Ellison. I have owned dozens of sail and power boats, from four IACC yachts to a San Lorenzo 82, and everything in between. I even had my own boat yard at Treasure Island from 1999-2008. I enjoy restoring old racing sailboats and also owned the Gentry Eagle 50 offshore racing catamaran, which was destroyed in the Napa fires. Since my teenage years, I've delivered boats of all sizes up and down the West Coast, including brokerage boats, race boats, and my own.

In 2010, I started Delta landing craft a business in the Bay Area, moving heavy equipment on my 120' LCU Lingayen Gulf, which, when loaded, weighs 400 tons. I’ve logged over 5000 hours as her Captain.

I know how much time taking any boat to the yard or gas dock consumes, so I set up a simple service to help you save your precious time. I can move boats to yards, the Delta, Tinsley, or conduct sea trials and surveys for brokers to save them time. Most Marin Marinas now have a quarterly requirement to leave the dock to keep a slip. I can help you comply with these new marina rules at SFYC, CYC and others.

The Marin Yacht Valet is a useful tool to let you enjoy your yacht for pleasure, not maintenance hassles or yard visits.

Call me today at (415) 686-0907 or email me at MarinYachtValet@gmail.com.

John Sweeney

(415)686-0907 cell