FOERFRONT LLC: Captain Paul Foer

Since 1979, your best choice for yacht deliveries and charters, sailing and seamanship instruction and training

I am still operating but have created a new web-site and discontinued this blog. Please visit my new web-site at http://www.foerfront.com-a.googlepages.com/

HOW TO CONTACT ME: 410.267.8398 paul@foerfront.com

CAPTAIN PAUL M. FOER--When Experience and reliability counts!
Captain Paul Foer, B.A. and M.A., is a USCG licensed captain since 1979 who brings boatloads of experience to get the job done. He grew up operating boats on Chesapeake Bay under the tutelage of his father, a WW-ll era non-commissioned naval officer and has extensively sailed the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the Atlantic coast and ICW from Maine to Florida, from North Carolina to Puerto Rico and in the Virgin Islands. Certified "drug-free" and subject to random testing (most recent test in August, 2007), Captain Foer is a sober, mature and reliable professional. He is a husband, father and homeowner and speaks Spanish.

2007 WAS A BUSY SEASON
In 2007 I undertook the following:
Passed assistance-towing endorsement exam
Served as Captain-in-training on a 113' tour boat in Baltimore
Delivered 35' sloop from Solomons Island, MD to Port Washington, NY
Delivered 26' catboat from Connecticut to Annapolis
Delivered 37' sloop from Boston to New York
Operated sea trials for boats under contract for sale
Taught seamanship and boat handling on 48' trawler
Delivered 36' sloop from Rappahannock River to Annapolis
Taught seamanship and boat handling on 60' steel tugboat on Potomac River, Washington, D.C.

HERE IS WHAT A FEW OF CAPTAIN FOER'S CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY:

I hired Captain Paul Foer to join me on a voyage from Connecticut to Maryland after just purchasing a Nonsuch 26' catboat. Paul communicated with me in advance to assist with preparing for the trip. He was thorough and professional at every step of the way. He has top-notch seamanship and navigational skills which were put to the test in various situations, including entering Shark River and Atlantic City inlets at night.
We experienced some mechanical problems and Paul did not hesitate to troubleshoot, crawl through the engine room and bilges to try to remedy the situation. Ultimately, through his recommendation, we hired an engineer in Atlantic City he had used before, who expertly corrected the various problems we encountered and were back on our way.
Due to weather and mechanical problems, we had a slow trip, but it was a pleasure to cruise and learn with Paul. I hired him again for additional instruction in docking and close quarter maneuvering which was a big help. I would definitely recommend him to any boatowner in need of a delivery or training. Robert Crooks, Washington, D.C.

I have sailed with Paul Foer twice. Each time has been a distinct pleasure. Our first sail was from Chesapeake Bay to Long Island Sound when I brought home the Tartan 37 I had purchased. It was a trip that required both skill and judgment as Paul had an inexperienced crew and a boat that was new to the owner. He was able to handle both problems with great aplomb and proved to me that his judgment and seamanship were of a very high caliber. He was able to teach me a great deal about the handling of the boat and planning the trip. I would recommend him without reservation. Bruce Ettenberg, Commack, NY

In May, 2007 I hired Paul Foer to serve as Captain on my Alberg 35 classic I had just purchased. We brought the boat from Solomons Island, MD to Port Washington, New York. From the start to finish, Paul exhibited professionalism, good judgment and solid seamanship and navigational skills. We had to perform a number of underway repairs and maintenance together, including dealing with fuel supply problems which we both managed to jury rig a solution. We encountered strong headwinds, cold temperatures and seas and very busy shipping traffic approaching New York which made for an exciting trip. We still arrived within our planned timeframe.
I highly recommend Paul for deliveries or instruction. He was a pleasure to sail with. My son and I hope to sail with Paul again.
Ron Feigenbaum, Port Washington, New York

During the summer of 2007, we hired Paul Foer as a training captain as we were jumping from a 19 ft. bowrider to a 48 ft. ocean going trawler yacht. Paul concentrated on personal safety at sea. He constantly emphasizes navigating and handling the old fashioned way; with binoculars, paper charts, and without bow thrusters. Because of Paul's insistence that I don't rely on the bow thruster, I was able to calmly handle a situation and even looked cool doing it. Paul also emphasizes handling crew overboard scenarios. Although learning how to dock the boat and to navigate to new destinations may be more interesting to the new boat owner, the serious trainee will want to get as much training in this area as possible. The consequences of a mishandled person overboard situation are much more dramatic that crunching your swim platform on the piling. We recognize and value the training Paul provided us. His safety related admonitions echo in our head as we venture out own our own. I respect his sober and honest assessment of our abilities at each stage of our training.
Mr and Ms. H, Apopka, FL

WHEN EXPERIENCE COUNTS...

US Coast Guard Inspected Vessel Operator License, 100 Ton, Power and Sail, All Inland Waters (continuously since 1979, renewed in July, 2006)
CPR and First Aid, American Red Cross, renewed 2007
Certified drug-free Member, Maritime Consortium--subjected to random testing
Marine Radio Operator, Federal Communications Comm., renewed 2007
Advanced Coastal Cruising Instructor, American Sailing Association, cert. 1983
NAUI SCUBA Diver, originally certified in 1980
12-day Outward Bound Instructor training course, Chesapeake Bay, 1996
21-day Nat'l Outdoor Leadership School Sea Kayak Course, Mexico, 1986
Former U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarist (10 year award, communications certified)

EDUCATION
M.A., University of Maryland, journalism/communications, 1990
B.A., Hampshire College, Amherst, MA, 1981

OTHER SKILLS: Conversant in Spanish, creative and resourceful on-board cook,

I have an unblemished credit record, references, and no criminal or marine insurance claims.

I am a member of:
Chesapeake Area Professional Captain's Association (CAPCA)
Boat Owners Association of the U.S. (BOATUS)
Maritime Consortium (random drug testing program)
Toastmasters Internatiional

NAUTICAL EXPERIENCE:

2007
Instructor, 60' converted tug boat, Potomac River, Wash., DC
Captain, C and C 36', Rappahannock River to Annapolis, MD
Captain, Endeavor Powercat 44', Annapolis, MD
Captain, Kadey Krogen 48' (trawler), Annapolis, MD
Captain, Tartan 37', Boston to Huntington, New York
Captain, Alberg 35', Solomons Island, MD to Port Washington, NY
Captain, Nonsuch 26' catboat, Guilford, CT to Galesville, MD
Captain, Mason 54', Chesapeake Bay
Mate/Captain in training, 113' tourboat, Baltimore

2006
Renewed USCG License, attended 8-hour class on license renewal
Attended 8-hour class on emergency management at sea
Captain, 42’ Bay-built, Magothy River to Kent Island,
Captain, Catalina 30, from Cambridge, MD to Georgetown, MD
Captain, Tartan 38', from Rock Hall, MD to Huntington Harbor, NY
Instructor, Cal 39’ Sloop, middle Chesapeake, MD
Captain, Beneteau 36’, Annapolis
Captain, Rinker 27’ Powerboat from Stone Harbor, NJ to Baltimore, MD
Captain, Freedom 38’ Sloop, Sandy Hook, NJ to Chesapeake City, MD
Captain, Island Gypsy 40 Motoryacht, Delaware River, C and D Canal

2000-2005
Captain/Instructor on power and sailboats on Chesapeake Bay for charters, instruction, deliveries on private and charter yachts on Chesapeake Bay
Captain, 30’ Catamaran New York City to Staten Island (abandoned trip due to approach of Hurricane Wilma)
Mate on 85’ High-speed motor-yacht from Bodkin Creek, MD to Key Largo, FL 4 day


1990’s
Captain and Instructor, Sail and Powerboats up to 83', Chesapeake Bay

1980’s
Owner, captain, instructor on a wide variety of power sail vessels up to 65’ on Chesapeake Bay, New England, US Atlantic East Coast, Atlantic Ocean, Sea of Cortez, Virgin Islands. Crew on sailing vessels up to 150’

1960’s and 1970’s
Operated variety of boats on Chesapeake Bay and tributaries

Coastal- Offshore Experience (taken from above list) Days off-shore
1977 Hatteras 34' from Cape May, New Jersey to Mystic, CT 2
1981 Crew on Morgan OI 31', Beaufort, NC to Fajardo, Puerto Rico 14
1981 Crew on Ericson 39, US and British Virgin Islands 5
1982 Mate, 46' Celestial Ketch Annapolis to Key West, Florida 5
1982 Mate, 32' Westsail Cutter Key West and Marquesas, Florida 3
1983 Captain, Cape Dory 28' Cutter, Annapolis to Newport, RI and return 5
1984 Captain, 44' Finnish Motor-sailor West Palm Beach to Annapolis 3
1985 Captain, Tartan 37', Annapolis to Newport, RI and return 4
1986 Captain, 60' Chris Craft Annapolis to New York 2
2005 Mate, 85’ Motoryacht, Beaufort, NC to Key Largo, FL 3
2006 Captain, Tartan 37’, Rock Hall, MD to Huntington Harbor, New York 2
2006 Captain, Freedom 38’, Sandy Hook, NJ to Chesapeake City, MD 2
2007 Captain, Alberg 35', Solomons Island, MD to Port Washington, NY 2
Captain, Nonsuch 26' catboat, Guilford, CT to Galesville, MD 3
Captain, Tartan 37', Boston to Huntingon Harbor, NY 3

In addition to near coastal and island-hopping in Virgin Islands, So. New England, Maine, Florida Keys

Larger Vessels I have served aboard as a crew member:

85' High Speed Custom Motoryacht "Purely Pleasure" Annapolis to Key Largo
97’ Sloop “Clearwater” on Hudson River and Long Island Sound
113' Paddlewheeler "Black Eyed Susan", Baltimore
120’ Schooner “Western Union”, Key West, FL
140’ Brigantine “Young America”, Boston Harbor and Key West, FL
150’ Schooner “Clipper City”, Baltimore and Annapolis, MD

Larger Vessels I have operated as captain:

65’ Herreshoff Motorsailor “Helianthus”, Chesapeake Bay
60’ Chris Craft “Lady Anna”, Chesapeake Bay and Annapolis to Long Island, NY
53’ High Speed Motoryacht “Shore Shot”, Potomac River
83’ Steel Motoryacht “Lifestyles”, Chesapeake Bay
72’ Ketch “Amazing Grace”, Chesapeake Bay