Neptune Sail and Power Squadron

Paul Couluris

Paul Couluris began boating as a youngster in Freeport in 1946. For the past 30 years he and his wife, Sally, have boated in the Huntington area and ports of call all along Long Island Sound. Their most recent vessel was a Tiara Flybridge Cruiser. Paul has taught Neptune courses in Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting and Weather. He holds the rank of Senior Navigator and is a former Squadron Education Officer.

Ron Friedmann

Ron first got interested in taking a boating course when he wanted to impress a girl he was dating whose parents owned a boat with his boating knowledge. After taking the Basic Boating course (now known as ABC) in 1965, he joined the Power Squadron. In 1971 he bought his first boat (a 26' I/O), and has owned boats (naturally, increasing in size) ever since, cruising the East Coast from Key Biscayne, Florida to Boston Mass. Most of his boating has been on Long Island Sound with side trips to Essex, Mystic, Newport, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and the Hudson River. Following becoming a Certified Power Squadron Instructor Ron put his boating experience to use and began teaching the Safe Boating Course in 1995, and has taught that course several times a year ever since, as well as the Seamanship Course and seminars in GPS and VHF/DSC. He has also taught the Instructor Development course. As a certified New York State Instructor, Ron has also taught the New York State Safe Boating Course. He served as a Commander of the Neptune Power Squadron and Commander of District 3, which encompasses the "geographic" Long Island, including Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. He currently serves as the Operations Training Chairperson for District 3. Ron was honored by the Squadron when nominated for the Chapman Award for being an outstanding instructor, but he says "My greatest reward is knowing that I have contributed to the enjoyment and safety of our local boaters."

Vincent Gerretz

Vince's love for boating started in 1973 when he was at a Boy Scout summer camp. Ever since that first sailing dinghy, he has taken to the water in a wide variety of vessels from canoes & row boats to powerboats and sailboats. While he was serving in the U.S. Navy, he sailed in the waters around Florida, Lake Michigan, San Diego and Seattle. He holds a Pilot rating in the Power Squadron and is actively pursuing the rating of Senior Navigator. He is an active member of the Neptune Sail & Power Squadron holding the office of Assistant Treasurer and was appointed to the position of Public Relations Officer. He actively supports the mission of the USPS and enjoys teaching boaters how to be safe and to have fun while boating.

Gerry Grow

Gerry Grow learned to love boating in the 50's on the lakes of upstate NY. He learned to sail small boats in the bays of Long Island in the 60's. He has been an active boater in Huntington Harbor since 2005. He has taken the USPS courses up to Junior Navigator and is currently the assistant SEO of the squadron. He holds teaching licenses from NYC for secondary school education and Electrical Installation and Practice. He is also has a NY state teaching certification, and was an instructor in the IBEW NJATC program for many years. He currently teachers Marine Electrical systems.

Peter Losi

Peter began boating as a kid on Cape Cod. For the last 45 years he has boated in the Huntington area and ports of call to the north. Peter has been teaching the “Basic Boating” and “Seamanship” courses for the last 15 years. He holds the rank of “Advanced Piloting” and is a former Commander and is currently the Executive Officer. Peter has taken all but two of the elective course. He is also retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer.

David Martin

David S. Martin grew up around his Uncle's power boats in Minnesota. Since moving East and switching to sail power, he has sailed from Maine to Florida. He has held a Master's License in the Merchant Marine for 30 years. He holds an Advanced Pilot rating in the Power Squadron, and has taken virtually all elective courses. He has written articles which have appeared in the Ensign and in Sail magazines. He loves the water and wants to help you enjoy it safely.

Philip Quarles

Phil has been actively boating since 2005. For the past 7 years he has been sailing on Long Island and the Caribbean with his wife Stephanie. Phil is currently sailing a Bavaria 40. Phil has taught courses in Boating Safety, Anchoring, Coastal Navigation, Charting and Piloting. He holds the rank of Senior Navigator and is a former Past Commander and is currently the Squadron Education Officer. Phil is also certified by US Sailing in Coastal Navigation and Coastal Passage Making. Phil participated in the race around Long Island in 2010.

Stephanie Quarles

Stephanie has been actively boating since 2005. For the past 7 years she has been sailing on Long Island and the Caribbean with her husband Phil. Stephanie is currently sailing a Bavaria 40. Stephanie teaches Boating Safety courses. She holds the rank of Senior Navigator and is a the Commander of the Neptune Sail and Power Squadron for the last two years. Stephanie is also certified by US Sailing in Basic Keelboat, Bareboat Cruising and Bareboat Chartering.