FOUNDER & OWNER

For more than 25 years, sailors throughout the region have called Jerry their “partner-in-sailing.” From designing high-tech multihull racing sails to downwind asymmetric spinnakers and code zeros for bluewater sailors, Jerry focuses on helping sailors determine what their sail needs are and then exceeding their expectations.  Jerry works closely with Justin managing the day-to-day operations of the buisness.  Together they maintain a very high level of service, production, and product delivery. “We specialize in quality construction, comprehensive service, and responsiveness” he says. “Every sailor’s needs are different, so we like to have a conversation first and then respond with a tailored solution.”

OWNER & NEW SAILS MANAGER

“I love transforming a roll of cloth into a sail that can take someone across an ocean,” says Justin, who has been part of the loft since 2008. Justin has sailed since childhood, racing all types of one-designs. He was a captain of the sailing team at CNU and a few years later, joined Jerry at the loft. He soon became a co-owner. Justin runs the loft floor, designs sails, and personally oversees all new sail production and repairs. He manages the construction of thousands of square feet of sails every month and has built sails for prestigious ships such as the USCGC Eagle, the Mayflower, and the Godspeed. Justin is committed to serving sailors and to the art of sailmaking.

LEAD SAILMAKER

After studying marine engineering at SUNY Maritime, Jake did a short stint as Chief Engineer aboard Schooner Mystic. He then returned home and started his sailmaking career at our loft.  Jake has built on all of his prior knowledge to become a top flight sailmaker, sail designer and is now a key contributor to the new sail and rigging projects.  Along with designing and sewing modern sails for the past decade, Jake is a leading expert in tall ship sails and rigging.  Jake’s deepest professional satisfaction comes from “helping people realize their sailing dreams.”

HAMPTON VA, SAIL CONSULTANT

Stephanie has more offshore ocean miles than anyone in the loft, many of them racing. When she’s not trimming spinnakers on racing boats, she manages the loft’s Hampton, VA location.  She works with both cruising and racing boat owners to help them figure out the best solutions for their needs. “I get tremendous satisfaction helping sailors reach their dreams, especially introducing women and kids to the sport.”  Stephanie is a member of the Ocean Cruising Club, an ASA certified instructor, and is a USCG licensed captain.

NEW SAIL CONSULTANT

Doug is a self-described “perfectionist”--a good thing to be when he’s managing all of the loft’s dockside work.  Whether installing new sails on a classic daysailer or removing sails for service on a large cruising cat, Doug is a stickler for details and treats every customer’s boat like it’s his own.  When he’s not out on a boat call, Doug runs the loft’s computerized cutting table, and consults with customers about their sail needs.  Doug has a lifetime of sailing miles from the great lakes to Bermuda and finds great satisfaction “putting new sails on a boat and seeing our customer’s excitement.”

ORIENTAL NC, SAIL MANAGER

Kristina is heading up our new Oriental, North Carolina sales and full service loft. Kristina is a 27-year industry veteran with a long and deep sailing resume. She started her career as a watersports instructor teaching sailing and various other watersports. Kristina is a keen racer and has extensive racing experience on dinghies, keelboats and yachts. Kristina hails from the UK’s Isle of Wight, the country’s sailing center and has sailed the south coast of England for many years,  and has sailed in a variety of places around the world, including Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Greece and Turkey. Kristina has also completed many coastal and ocean passages to Ireland, France and Spain from the UK along with sailing to Bermuda from the US.

SAIL REPAIR SPECIALIST

Jimmy is a classic artisanal craftsman.  An artist at heart, he is a master at taking a sail that looks destined for the trash bin and using his handcraft to bring it back into service.  Jimmy has been a mainstay at the loft and keeps the rest of us on our toes with his humor.  He has had a long career in the marine industry from boatbuilding to yacht canvas and paint and varnish.  We often joke that if Mother Goose had had Jimmy around, Humpty Dumpty would’ve ended up back in one piece.

SAILMAKER

Issac is involved in every step of building new sails.  A wooden boat enthusiast and talented carpenter, he is drawn to the nostalgia of sailmaking as an age old craft.  He loves building new sails for modern craft, but his passion is creating traditional sails for wooden boats.  Isaac lives aboard his sailboat and enjoys the full lifestyle of a marine craftsman. Isaac is also a talented musician and can been seen locally and at our annual Sock Burning Party.

OFFICE MANAGER

Meghan is the “maestro of the loft,” keeping us all in time, moving together..  She creates work orders, does all purchasing for the loft, and oversees sail repair and canvas workflow.  If you call the loft, chances are she’ll be the one personally answering your call.  If you want to be sure something happens at the loft, she is the person you want to connect with.  She’s been at the loft for the past two years and she feels as if she has always “been around boats, working in the marine industry.”

CANVAS DEPARTMENT MANAGER

Joel has been building dodgers, biminis and enclosures at Evolution Sailmakers for 12 years.  He’s a pro at designing and patterning canvas structures for any style of boat—small daysailors, center cockpit cruisers or multi-level catamarans.  “I enjoy going out on boats and finding out just what the owners want.  Then making it!”

SAILMAKER

Greg has been building sails at the loft for seven years.  He is skilled at making and installing new sails and enjoys, “taking a pile of basic materials and turning them into something that propels a craft.”  Greg is a fountain of interesting conversation.  He helps keep us grounded in life outside the loft.  He and Isaac are often found pontificating on the larger issues of life.  Never a dull moment.

Marisa grew up sailing the Chesapeake Bay, the Caribbean, and all the way south to Venezuela as a full-time liveaboard on her family’s Oyster Heritage 37. With over 5,000 nautical miles under her belt—including offshore passages, island-hopping, and plenty of local adventures—she brings a lifetime of sailing experience to everything she does. Marisa is immensely talented and is highly sought after by both our canvas and sailmaking teams so she is pulled to where she is she's needed most —measuring boats, building custom canvas, or on the sail loft floor. At home, she’s restoring a 90s Jeanneau Sun Odyssey and raising the next generation of sailors. Whether she’s cruising with her little ones, or diving deep into sailmaking, Marisa is always learning—and always ready to help others get out on the water.