Dave Russell | Modern Sailing

Dave Russell

Instructor

Dave got started sailing by getting shanghaied onto 210-foot three masted schooner in the Caribbean in 1991, and that first experience in the islands changed his life forever. While he prefers to sail large catamarans, Dave has never met a boat he didn’t like. In fact he’s invested in several Tall Ships that offer vacation cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and frequently crews on those ships. Dave began instructing in 2009.  His favorite activity is instructing the ASA courses for Cruising Catamaran and Bareboat Chartering, anywhere you want to learn - especially in San Francisco Bay and tropical locations such as the Caribbean and Tahiti. Dave charters all over the World several times each year. He has sailed four oceans and the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Andaman, Adriatic, Ionian Seas plus the Great Lakes.  “What I love about sailing, in addition to the water, the sky and the boat; is that every day is a learning experience. That is Freedom."

Credentials:
ASA Certified Instructor in:

  • ASA Basic Keelboat Sailing (201)
  • ASA Keelboat Sailing 2 (202)
  • ASA Basic Coastal Cruising (203)
  • ASA Bareboat Cruising (204)
  • ASA Coastal Navigation (205)
  • ASA Advanced Coastal Cruising (206)
  • ASA Cruising Catamaran (214)
  • ASA Dinghy & Outboard Endorsement
  • ASA Docking Endorsement (218)
  • United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Master License
  • Consultant to the rum industry
  • Retired Senior Director at Apple
  • Former championship-winning Motorcycle roadracer

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  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Andrew Goble, San Francisco

    It has been wonderful sailing with MSC over the years. Please extend my thanks to the owners, management, and staff for unrequited professionalism and high standards in a charter fleet. I have sailed with several in my years and none nearly hold a candle to the quality of business and staff at Modern Sailing.

  • Ray Arceneaux

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

  • Alisa Driscoll, Dual Site Member

    Here are some snaps of Our Saturday, August 20, 2022 Modern Sailing Expedition with Captain Robert Bivin, who was outstanding. Please convey photos and thanks to him. He is an outstanding individual, leader and sailing instructor. His knowledge and experience made us all feel safe and our Farallones Day Trip educational and just amazing. 

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Modern Sailing School & Club

Sausalito Location
2310 Marinship Way, Sausalito
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

Berkeley Location
1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

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