Waggoner Cruising Guide 2013
Mark's boating experience began in Ocean City, New Jersey, where at the age of 15 he started working in a marina learning how to repair boats and engines. During this period he raced both power and sailboats in the waters around Ocean City.He has always enjoyed boating and while working in the corporate world he annually would charter in the San Juan Islands and British Columbia, as well as other places around the world including the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Greek islands, Honduras, Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay area. In 2002, he acquired Fine Edge Nautical Publishing and expanded its reach with other cruising guides and books.In 2006, Mark expanded the reach of Fine Edge into the Caribbean with the first new cruising guide for the Virgin Islands in 15 years, Cruising the Virgin Islands, as co-author with the late Joe Russell. The 1st edition of this book was a sellout success. The expanded 2nd edition, and a new Virgin Islands Trip Planning Map, continue to be a big success and the book is now the standard guide for most of the major charter companies in the Virgin Islands.In 2011, Mark became editor and publisher of the annual Waggoner Cruising Guide, the most popular cruising guide in the Northwest and British Columbia. The Waggoner is often referred to as the bible for Northwest cruising. Mark spends each summer visiting over 250 marinas, coastal towns, and anchorages from Olympia, WA to Ketchikan and Alaska for the most current information for northwest yachts and cruisers.Mark holds a U.S. Coast Guard Masters license with endorsements for towing and sail, and is a NAUI certified scuba diver. In addition to boating, Mark is an instrument rated, twin-engine private pilot with over 2000 hours of flight time.