Jeff McElroy

I started working with Boatshed Port Townsend in October 2022.

As "the son of a son of a sailor", both sides of my family have always been on the water in one form or another. From tug boating log-rafts around the Puget Sound to their mills or running steamship trampers around Horn. I started working on the water as a Geoduck tender and diver while in high school then went into the United States Coast Guard. A few seasons working as a mate in Alaska on a processing vessel had me wishing for warmer climes so I ended up travelling along the little latitudes working for dive resorts as diver, captain and manager. Most recently I was the owner of a 50-foot Marine Trader in the Florida Keys which I ran private charters and dive classes from.

What attracted you to become part of the Boatshed team?
I had been thinking about becoming a broker in Florida before the pandemic so after moving back to the PNW and I saw your ad, I contacted my broker/friend and asked him his opinion of Waterline Boats. Even though he works for (XYZ) brokerage in Florida, he told me how well placed this company was worldwide and how strong a presence it had on the internet.

Are you a motorboater or a sailor?
I am a motorboater at heart but I have a 17.5-foot sailing kayak that I'm out on the ocean in all types of weather and wind whenever I can, who wants to paddle when you can sail?

What is your most memorable boating experience?
For sailing, my most memorable experience would be exploring the Islands of Tonga and Niue for several months. As for motorboating, it was taking the helm for the first time of my own vessel.