Gene Filipi | Modern Sailing

Gene Filipi

Instructor

Originally from Nebraska, Gene discovered a passion for sailing while building a successful career leading global sales and business development teams. Over the past 20 years, he has extensively sailed the San Francisco Bay. As an ASA Certified Sailing Instructor and USCG Licensed Captain, Gene focuses on helping students develop the skills, confidence, and teamwork required to become capable sailors, effective leaders, and responsible captains.

With a professional background rooted in team building and leadership, he approaches instruction with a belief that success stems from clear communication, trust, accountability, and calm execution under changing conditions. Gene's teaching style combines patience, encouragement, and hands-on coaching to create a positive learning environment both on the water and in the classroom.

Dedicated to helping others grow and build self-reliance, he views sailing as a unique opportunity to develop technical competency, sound decision-making, and the self-esteem that comes from meeting new challenges and working successfully as a team.

Sailing Certifications: ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat), 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), 104 (Bareboat Cruising), 105 (Coastal Navigation), 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising), 118 (Docking Endorsement)

Instructor Qualifications: ASA IQC 201, 203, 204, 218

USCG MMC Captain’s Credentials: 50 Ton Inland, OUVG Near Coastal, Auxiliary Sailing Endorsement, Towing Endorsement

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  • Ray Arceneaux

    The vessel was clean and in fine condition - very nice boat for training, well-equipped.

  • David Dolenc, Member

    I love sailing in the San Francisco Bay and greatly appreciate everything that MSC has to offer, the classes, clinics, club sails, racing and charters. I enjoy our supportive sailing community and use every opportunity to spend time on the water. After obtaining the certifications from MSC I did my first charter in Croatia in 2022 with my family. It was amazing and we’re looking forward to returning soon!

  • Mike, Santa Rosa, California

    All of the courses and my instructors (JT and Stan) were extremely professional and full of knowledge and experience. I found I was able to learn from their experiences beyond the scope of the courses, and look forward to future opportunities to do so. I would highly recommend Modern Sailing to anyone.

  • Emma & George Stubbs, Sausalito

    We just took our ASA 106 at a school in Rhode Island as we prepare for 6 months of cruising in the Caribbean. The class was great, but more than anything it made us really appreciate the quality of teaching and rigor at Modern Sailing. Even though we were the newest to sailing, the group seemed to think that we had the best fundamentals. We felt very well prepared and we see why Modern Sailing has the reputation it does.

  • Lisa Butzer Wilde

    Thumbs up to (Club Skipper) Geoff (Love) and his wife Laura. I went on my first Club Sail on Sunday, January 18, 2026. They were terrific!

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