CMHF President:  Dr Wylie Vracin.  (2021)

I moved here in 1982 to Coupeville with wife Ginny and 4 children, becoming the First Internal Medicine Specialist on our Island. My family has always enjoyed water-based activities, always involving power-boating. I retired from my active medical practice in 2010, and met up with our Schooner SUVA about 4 years ago. I happily serve the CMHF as Board President and find myself having SUVA discussions quite often when newcomers ask questions as they pertain to our historic vessel.

CMHF Vice President: Jim Green (2022)

I have long been interested in sailing.  I first learned to sail in Newport, Rhode Island, on a Rhoads 19 and Mercury 14. I then sailed sporadically over the years, often in places few think of as sailing havens…Navajo Lake (New Mexico) and Flathead Lake (Montana).  About a year after moving to Whidbey Island to be close to a large body of water,  I was on the Coupeville wharf as Suva sailed into Coupeville for the first time, and I soon went for a sail.  Wanting to sail as a member of her crew, I quickly  became involved in the CMHF and was an early member of what has become  the Suva steering committee.   

Member: Peter Schlegal (2022)

I have sailed in Pacific Northwest waters all my life. My family acquired the classic 50’ eight-meter sloop Aurora in 1958. She was built in 1928 in Germany as a German One design with Honduras mahogany planks on oak ribs with a teak deck and glued spruce 7/8 fractional rig 65’ mast.

I have raced and cruised extensively in Puget Sound and the inland waters of British Columbia and circumnavigated Vancouver Island several times. I have also navigated bringing a 45’ ketch the “wrong” way through squals with reefed mizzen and storm jib from San Francisco to Seattle. Sailing, saltwater, shorelines and storms are in my blood. I first saw the classic and beautiful SUVA when she was moored at the Seattle Yacht Club years ago.

My wife Ana Kinkaid and I moved to Whidbey Island two years ago and chose historic Coupeville, founded by merchant sea captains, and the tall cliffs at Ebey’s Landing as our new home. I am honored to be a part of the growing SUVA and Coupeville Maritime Heritage Foundation community, and I am excited to help achieve its important goals to honor, preserve, and promote our unique Northwest sea-faring legacy, values and vision.

I have a deep background in math and modern science and have extensive experience in business design and marketing strategy. My wife and I own Chart and Compass Creative which helps new writers and entrepreneurs achieve their goals through modern marketing. I am very passionate about sailing, the beauty of nature, poetry, philosophy, chess and modern jazz.

Member: Capt. Mark Saia (2022)