Gordon Bitter | Modern Sailing

Gordon Bitter

Instructor

Gordon’s sailing journey began in northern Germany, where his very first day on the water was a memorable passage from Stralsund to Bornholm in strong Beaufort 8 conditions. That early introduction set the tone for a lifelong passion for sailing, seamanship, and learning. 

Since then, Gordon has logged thousands of nautical miles as skipper and crew across a wide range of waters, including the Baltic and North Seas, the Mediterranean, the Windward Islands, French Polynesia, the Sea of Cortez, and the Pacific Northwest. His experience spans everything from coastal cruising and navigation to offshore passages and international chartering. 

Gordon began instructing in Seattle in 2019, teaching in the Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and into British Columbia. In 2023, Gordon relocated to the Bay Area, teaching with Club Nautique from 2023 to 2025. 

When he’s not teaching, Gordon can usually be found exploring new cruising grounds, refining his navigation skills, or planning the next sailing adventure.

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  • 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.

  • Warren Leiden, Member

    I try to get out on the water every week: out the Gate, around Angel, up Raccoon - I love it all. After 18 years as a member of OCSC in Berkeley, I learned to sail the bigger boats at Modern by taking ASA 103 and 104. My ASA 104 instructor Dave Russell was terrific. Also, Captain Bill Moreland has been very generous in giving informal advice whenever I’ve asked him. Thanks to Bill, I no longer have any anxiety about docking!

  • Steve Hood, Basic Coastal Cruising

    I would definitely recommend Modern Sailing to anyone who is interested in learning to sail the right way.

  • 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!

  • Danny Collins

    The office staff was very accommodating in meeting my availability.

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