About us
Expert Sail Coaching! Learn to sail, Level up your skills, Race and regatta coaching.
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Coach Kurt Taulbee
I’m Kurt Taulbee, an experienced small-boat sailor and coach with deep roots in Laser sailing. I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where I grew up sailing the Niagara River through the Niagara Sailing Club. Since 1977, I’ve sailed everything from Sunfish and Albacore to Finns, Hobie 16s, Snipes, Lightning and Lasers. A few summers, I even crewed competitively aboard a C&C 38 on Lake Ontario—earning top honors along the way.
My greatest sailing achievements include two gold medals (plus others) at the New York State Empire Games, multiple Laser campaigns tied to the Savannah, Sydney, Athens, and Beijing Olympics, and three seasons representing the U.S. as a US Sailing Team athlete. A few years back when I was 39, I became the oldest Laser sailor ever to qualify for the US Team. I’ve raced and trained in countries like Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Spain—a journey that’s taught me the technical, mental, and physical edge needed to compete at a high level.
After earning my Master’s in Engineering Management (and an undergrad in Electrical & Computer Engineering) from the University at Buffalo, I chose a different path: instead of a corporate office, I built a business—SailFit—that combined coaching with my love of travel and competition. In 1994, SailFit began with chartering and transporting Laser sailboats to regattas across North America. Over time, it grew into a coaching-focused company offering lessons, clinics, and race support designed to help sailors improve and enjoy sailing more.
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SailFit Story
SailFit began back in 1994, originally under the name Great White Performance Racing. The idea came from a simple problem I saw over and over—sailors who wanted to compete were struggling to get their boats from one regatta to the next. Some missed events entirely because they didn’t have access to a decent boat or couldn’t deal with the logistics. I figured there had to be a better way.
At the time, I had just wrapped up a tour of sailing events on the West Coast and decided to commit to campaigning in the Laser class full time. I knew it would take years to get to the level I wanted—competing internationally—and I also knew I’d have to find a way to pay for it. That’s where the idea for SailFit came from.
I started by chartering and transporting Laser sailboats and selling parts. It filled a real need on the North American circuit, and it also allowed me to be at the events I needed to be at for my own sailing. I traveled with a trailer full of extra boats and gear, and people could fly in and charter a fully prepped Laser. It was a win-win. As far as I know, SailFit was the first consistent Laser charter service on the circuit.
From 1994 to 2008, I covered a lot of ground—literally. With a trailer and van, I crisscrossed the U.S. and Canada, logging over 200,000 miles. The first trailer held six boats, but after some reworking, I got it up to 12. Add a couple more on top of the van and one inside, and I could haul 15 Lasers at once. It wasn’t exactly subtle, but it worked.
Over time, as I traveled less and less I began shifting the focus toward coaching—lessons, clinics and regattas. Along the way, fitness and nutrition was also a big part of what we offered. I’ve always been into health and fitness, and I saw how important it was for sailing performance.
Starting in 2000, Meka Aiken (Taulbee) played a major role in shaping that side of the business. She brought a strong background in fitness and holistic nutrition and was a big part of SailFit’s growth for many years. Although she’s no longer part of the business, I’m grateful for the work we did together and the impact she had on so many sailors.
These days, SailFit is all about helping sailors grow—especially those who are new to the sport. I coach regularly throughout the year, offering private lessons, workshops, and regatta coaching. While Clearwater, FL is my home base, I also travel to work with sailors on their home waters and at regattas. Teaching people how to sail for the first time is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. There’s nothing like seeing someone discover the freedom and challenge of being on the water.
Whether you’re brand new to sailing or looking to sharpen your racing skills, the coaching is always hands-on, personalized, and focused on real progress.
I still race, too—mostly in Masters regattas around Florida. Staying active as a competitor keeps me connected to the sport and the sailors I coach.
If getting better—or just getting started—is what you’re after, I’d love to hear from you.
