OUR INSTRUCTORS
Captain Graham Sharp
CAPTAIN, SATORI SAILING
Owner, Chief Instructor, Sail and Power
Graham has been sailing for 50 years, growing up dinghy racing in Boston in the UK as a young Boy Scout. Through his career in technology, he has lived and sailed (both cruised and raced) in Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean and the US.For the last 10 years he has delivered boats north and south from New England to the Caribbean and has thousands of miles of offshore experience on different boats, in all kinds of weather conditions.He races on Ursa, an Express 37, out of Jubilee Yacht Club Beverly and was part of the winning crew of the 2023 Marblehead to Halifax offshore race, when Ursa won first in class and first in the PHRF fleet.He also races on Terrapin Station, a Frere’s 30 out of Kittery Point Yacht Club in Portsmouth and was part of the winning crew of the 2023 seasons PSA Commodores Cup.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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Commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster offshore
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STCW 10 safety at sea
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VHF and Radar operator’s license
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Certified ASA Instructor for the following courses:
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ASA 101 Basic Keelboat
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ASA 102 Advanced Keelboat
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ASA 103 Coastal Cruising
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ASA 104 Bareboat Chartering
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ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
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ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising
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ASA 111 Sailing Review
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ASA 114 Catamaran Cruising
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ASA 118 Docking Endorsement
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Certified NauticEd Instructor to the following levels:
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Level V Captain Rank Qualified Sailing Instructor / Assessor
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Powerboat Instructor / Assessor
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American National Standards Instructor/Assessor
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SLC Instructor/Assessor - Sail
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Catamaran Instructor/Assessor
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HE ALSO TEACHES
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Marine Diesel engine basics
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Marine Electrical systems
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Marine Electronics & networking basics
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Winterization and Commissioning
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Weather basics
Check out my reviews on NauticED
Captain James Ashton
CAPTAIN, SATORI SAILING
Founder, Sailing Instructor
My lifelong passion for sailing began 40 years ago as a toddler on our family's 40' sloop on Long Island Sound. It was then I discovered my passion and natural aptitude for sailing. Throughout high school and college, I was a very competitive sailor, racing small one design boats and eventually competing on the national level. After college, I was drawn to coastal cruising and long distance blue water sailing. I have been fortunate to sail throughout New England, as well as Australia, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. I have found there to be so many aspects to the sport and there is always something new to learn. In 2011, after a 20 year career in the corporate world, I made the jump to being an entrepreneur which was also a time that I felt motivated to explore sailing professionally. I obtained a US Coast Guard Captain's License and became certified by the American Sailing Association to teach Basic Keelboat Sailing. As a part-time adult instructor, I became aware of my talent for teaching sailing. As a result, I have been teaching for eight years in New York City, Boston and more recently her on Boston's North Shore. In 2016, I was honored to be recognized as an Outstanding Sailing Instructor by the American Sailing Association (ranking in top 2% of instructors nationwide by customer ratings). With Satori, my mission is to create affordable access to Salem Sound, to the sport of sailing and to the healing influence of the ocean. I am so grateful to be living in a place like Marblehead and feel inspired to offer access to the water for residents and visitors who want to see this wonderful town from the sea.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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Licensed Captain, USCG OUPV since 2009
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Level V Bareboat Charter Master Rank Chief Instructor/Assessor
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SLC Instructor/Assessor
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US Sailing, Basic Keelboat Certified Instructor
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2016 Outstanding Sailing Instructor, American Sailing Association
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Adult teaching as an ASA Certified Instructor since 2011
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Sailing for 40 years including dinghy, big boat racing, coastal and offshore cruising
Captain Mistral Dodson
CAPTAIN, SATORI SAILING
Sailing Instructor
Hey there! I'm Mistral, a USCG Licensed Captain who's been sailing through life since day one. Growing up on a homemade sailboat, I learned the ropes of independence and resilience. I was fortunate to experience being homeschooled as we traveled the coastline from Maine to Florida and then down into the British Virgin Islands. In my mid-twenties, I helped start an organization called New England Science & Sailing. We combined sailing and marine science into a fun, engaging, and experiential learning experience for adults and kids. Getting young girls and women onto the water quickly became a passion of mine when I realized how few people truly had access to and a connection with the ocean. I am passionate about the ocean and I am passionate about creating life-changing experiences on the water. Life is a beautiful place, but if you haven’t experienced the wind through your hair as you glide across the water, now is the time to check that off your bucket list! See you out on the water! Mistral
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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Licensed Captain, USCG OUPV 50 ton since 2010)
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US Sailing, Level 3
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ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising Certification
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US Sailing Powerboating Instruction
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Sailing for 40 years including dinghy, big boat racing, coastal and offshore cruising
Captain Tyler Jupp
CAPTAIN, SATORI SAILING
Sailing and Powerboat Instructor
Tyler began sailing as a youngster sailing small boats on Cape Cod. Working as a windsurfing and Hobiecat instructor during high school sparked his passion for the ocean. He continued on this path with a marine education in Florida at FIT. Upon returning to the Northeast he worked for Seacoast Marine as a broker for Hunter sailboats outfitting marine communication systems, rigging and delivering yachts. Delivery included teaching new owners about their vessels with his top to bottom in depth knowledge. Captain Tyler also began doing private deliveries on both power and sailboats along the East Coast, Bahamas and Caribbean. Continuing with his love for all things Nautical he works as a mate aboard the 122’ Tall Ship Lynx on seasonal transit voyages. He also captains for Seatow Boston always ready to assist mariners to safety. He has just returned from his second passage as crew/instructor aboard the Arctic schooner Bowdoin. During these semesters at sea Tyler was part of the team supporting Maine Maritime Academy students to become knowledgeable sailors while completing course work. The 2024 passage included crossing the Arctic Circle adding blue nose sailor to his accomplishments. Racing his own 34’ sloop and volunteering for the Jubilee Yacht Club race committee allows him to exercise his competitive edge
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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Licensed Captain USCG 100 GT Master near coastal since 1987
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Aux. Sail
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Assistance towing
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MMC Ordinary seaman
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STCW Safety at sea
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TWIC
Captain Billy Crotty
CAPTAIN, SATORI SAILING
Sailing Instructor
USCG-licensed Captain and Sailing Instructor with 20+ years of sailing experience and 5+ years as professional captain and instructor. Extensive offshore, coastal, and charter experience including Atlantic crossings, Bermuda runs, Caribbean deliveries, and New England coastal cruising.
Highly skilled in passage planning, crew leadership, navigation, weather routing, maintenance, and instruction. Calm under pressure, safety-focused, adaptable, and personable — well suited to charter, private yachts, instruction, and deliveries
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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OUPV (6-Pack) Captain
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Certified ASA Instructor for the following courses:
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ASA 101 Basic Keelboat
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ASA 102 Advanced Keelboat
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ASA 103 Coastal Cruising
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ASA 104 Bareboat Chartering
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ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
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ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising
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ASA 111 Sailing Review
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ASA 114 Catamaran Cruising
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ASA 118 Docking Endorsement
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Certified NauticEd Instructor to the following levels:
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Level IV Captain Rank Qualified Sailing Instructor / Assessor
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HE ALSO TEACHES
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Marine Diesel engine maint
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Marine Electronics basics
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Winterization and Commissioning
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Weather basics
Captain Mike Merriman
CAPTAIN, SATORI SAILING
Sailing and Powerboat Instructor
Mike brings a lifetime of maritime experience and military precision to the NauticEd community. Currently the Captain of a large Schooner in Salem and an Assistant Harbormaster on the Merrimack River, his expertise is backed by a USCG 100-Ton Master’s license and decades of navigating the New England coast—from Block Island to Penobscot Bay—aboard his Sabre 32. With a professional career in Educational Technology and status as a PADI Master Instructor and EFR Trainer, Mike bridges the gap between technical maritime theory and practical, on-the-water skill. He specializes in breaking down complex maneuvers into intuitive, actionable steps, helping students transition from the classroom to the cockpit with confidence and safety. Mike is available to help students validate their on-the-water competency and progress through their NauticEd Rank and Level requirements.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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USCG 100T Master Near Coastal with sail and towing endorsements
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PADI Master Scuba Instructor
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Emergency Oxygen Administration Instructor
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Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer
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Emergency Medical Technician
Certified NauticEd Instructor to the following levels:
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Level V Captain Rank Qualified Sailing Instructor / Assessor
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American National Standards Instructor/Assessor
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SLC Instructor/Assessor - Sail
Captain Rah Gregory
CAPTAIN, SATORI SAILING
Sailing Instructor
Rah has been sailing for more than 35 years, beginning as a child on lakes in the Midwest aboard dinghies and cruising sailboats. She later earned her keelboat certifications on San Francisco Bay, developing her skills in some of the country’s most challenging sailing conditions. Now based in Massachusetts, she enjoys coastal sailing throughout New England and has also chartered on catamarans in Greece and the British Virgin Islands. She loves helping new sailors build confidence on the water while sharing the joy and freedom that sailing brings.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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USCG OUPV Licensed Captain
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US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certified
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US Sailing Basic Cruising Certified
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US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certified
Captain Laurie Pulido
CAPTAIN, SATORI SAILING
Sailing Instructor
Laurie's love of the water started very young, growing up on Long Island, NY. She spent time fishing with her father, a licensed USCG Captain, who ran offshore fishing charters out of Montauk. That early immersion instilled a comfort on the water that has never left her. As an adult, Laurie owned and operated her own powerboat for two years in Florida before bringing it back north, where she ran it on the lakes of New Hampshire before selling it. In 2020, she purchased a new powerboat and fishes avidly around the North Shore of Massachusetts with her family. In recent years, Laurie turned her attention to sailing — and dove in with characteristic thoroughness. She is a Satori Sailing Alum - completing Skipper Large Keelboat, Bareboat Charter, Navigation Rules for Sailboats, and Basic Sail Trim through Satori/NauticEd, and went on to earn her USCG Six-Pack license for inland waters, and — perhaps most tellingly — purchased her own sailboat in April 2025, which she is obsessively refitting and learning inside out. Laurie also captains for Sail Beyond Cancer, a nonprofit that takes cancer patients and their families out on the water at no cost. It is honestly some of the most rewarding time she spends on the water. Watching someone who is going through one of the hardest things imaginable step on board, feel the wind, and just light up — it is hard to describe. For a few hours, the water gives them and their families a real break from all of it. That never gets old. Laurie brings decades of real-world boating experience to the classroom, alongside more than 30 years of experience as an educator and trainer — a combination that makes her as comfortable explaining a concept as she is demonstrating it on the water. She has a deep respect for seamanship and genuine enthusiasm for helping new sailors find their sea legs.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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USCG OUPV Licensed Captain
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Nauticed Skipper Large Keelboat