Meet our team at Gulf Island Sails

Our experienced staff is here to answer any questions you may have concerning the Precision, Com-Pac, and Hobie lines of sail boats.

Our sales associates include:

• Capt. Ed Benson — ed@gisails.com
  A US Coast Guard Captain, Ed has more than 50 years experience owning, racing and cruising sailboats and powerboats.
• Tom Ray — tom@gisails.com
  Tom has a lifelong love of sailing, having owned sailboats from 7' to 44', including his current pride and joy, an F-27 trimaran. He began his sailing experience as a youngster in Sunfish and Prams, moved on to Hobie Cats, and raced mid-sized daysailers in Newport, Rhode Island, for a spring season. Later on, Tom discovered the pleasures of larger sailboats, cruising the Bahamas in a CSY and later an Island Packet. His sailboat racing experience includes crewing on an Olson 30 and Express 37 in South Florida and Bahamas races. His more recent racing experience is on Corsair F-27 and F-24 trimarans. By far his most challenging sailing has been in his foldable kayak.
• Jim Guernsey — jimg@gisails.com
  Jim Guernsey is currently captain of a 34' Catalina named "Ohana" in Punta Gorda, Florida. In previous lives, Jim sailed a 33' Ketch out of Mission Bay and cruised the southern California coast. Jim has also owned various 'trailer sailers' and raced in Midwestern lakes and reservoirs. Growing up on the Missouri River sharpened his skills of owning and driving 'river-friendly' power boats. Jim and his wife, Pat, moved to Florida in 2001. The Guernseys enjoy cruising the Gulf coast and chartering in the Caribbean when time permits.
• Capt. John Casaus — John Casaus comes to us from Minnesota, where he sailed his 35ft. Catalina on Lake Minnetonka. He eventually grew tired of the cold weather and, in November 2004, moved to Southwest Florida. John currently lives on his boat in Burnt Store Marina. John is a very experienced sailor (more than 40 years) and estimates he has owned more than fifteen boats. In addition to being a great addition to our sales staff, John is a licensed captain.