Meet The Captains
Welcome aboard! I'm Kirk Miller, the proud owner of Captain Kirk's San Francisco Sailing. With a 100-ton US Coast Guard Master Mariner license and over 40 years of sailing experience, I am your trusted captain for unforgettable adventures on the exciting waters of San Francisco Bay.
Over the past two decades, I have honed my expertise while sailing San Francisco Bay and completing an ocean crossing. I've had the pleasure of sharing these experiences with many other sailing enthusiasts, whether it's cruising under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, circling Angel Island, or providing comprehensive sailing lessons for those preparing for bare-boating charters. Each trip holds its own special magic, and I take great pride in ensuring that every guest has an exceptional and memorable time on the water with us.
In addition to my passion for sailing, I hold a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University. After a successful 20-year career in the engineering field, I made the decision to retire and pursue my true love and passion: San Francisco sailing. I am now able to dedicate my time and energy to providing thrilling and fun sailing experiences to all who seek them.
My sailing journey has taken me far and wide, from the beautiful shores of Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound to the captivating California coast, the British Virgin Islands, and Mexico. I even had the incredible opportunity to participate in a 22-day, 3000-mile voyage across the Pacific, from the Galapagos Islands to the Marquesas in French Polynesia. In October 2008, I embarked on an 8-month expedition along the Pacific coast and into the Sea of Cortez, covering over 5000 miles with my wife and 2 kids. These adventures have enriched my understanding of the sea and deepened my appreciation for the wonders it holds.
As a certified instructor with the American Sailing Association (ASA), I am qualified to provide expert guidance in basic keelboat sailing (BKB), basic coastal cruising (BCC), and coastal navigation. I have had the pleasure of teaching at various San Francisco sailing schools, sharing my knowledge and skills with aspiring sailors at all levels. Whether you dream of offshore journeys or a simple cruise around the bay, I am here to provide instruction tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.
When I'm not navigating the high seas, I like to spend time with family and donate to nonprofit organizations. I am happily married with two incredible children, ages 25 and 23, who share my love for sailing. We frequently embark on family sailing adventures in the Bay, including our extended sailing trip to Mexico together.
Now, I invite you to join me for an exciting and breathtaking sailing experience on San Francisco Bay. Let me be your guide as we explore the beauty of the bay and create memories that will last a lifetime. Step aboard and embrace the excitement that awaits you with Captain Kirk's San Francisco Sailing.
Captain Mark grew up in a family of sailors on the East Coast and has been sailing since age five. He started working on boats over 40 years ago when he took his first job as a commercial fisherman. He then spent 4 years as a deckhand on trawlers, fishing offshore between North Carolina, Massachusetts and the Georges Banks, off Nova Scotia. After attending Chapmans School of Seamanship In 1982, he worked as an engineer delivering a 115 ft motor yacht across the Atlantic to Gibraltar. There he became the first officer, working six months touring the Mediterranean along the Spanish, French and Italian coasts.
In 1983 Mark received his 100-ton Masters license in Miami. He then spent the next 2 years teaching sailing, running charters and making deliveries around the windward isles of Martinique, St Lucia and the Yucatan Peninsula.
In 1985, for 7 months he lived and worked on a 44 ft cutter that he sailed from Canada to San Francisco. Since then he has been sailing and working in Bay Area waters out to the Farallon Islands teaching and running charters on a variety of sloops, schooners, ketches, yawls catamarans and motor yachts. He has been working at Captain Kirks Sailing since 2012.
Mark currently resides in San Francisco with his wife, daughter and 2 sons. He has a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist.
My name is Efe Akmen and I hold a 100-ton US Coast Guard Master Mariner license. I grew up in Turkey where I started sailing at the age of 10.
I have over 25 years of sailing experience including 8 years of experience sailing in San Francisco Bay. Before I moved to California I represented Turkey in International Regattas, won medals in national championships, and brought sailing to adults, people with disabilities, and kids from all around the world. Since I moved here I raced in J/111 and J/105 fleets. I love meeting new people and sharing my joy of sailing and nature with them.
My latest sailing adventures include sailing in the great South Pacific Ocean in 2020 and sailing along the Californian coast in 2017.
I have been sailing boats for Captain Kirk's since 2014 and very much enjoy the variety of trips I can provide for our customers whether it is a high-level team building event or just a sit back and chill Bay Tour.
Captain Rod Mayer is a native Californian who has been operating boats for over 31 years. He has logged 3,021 days (8.3 years) on the water as a skipper and navigated over 62 thousand nautical miles within the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean. He has sailed six trans-Pacific crossings between California and Hawaii. In August of 2021 he completed his first solo crossing from Hawaii to San Francisco sailing 2,885 miles within 20 days. He has spent as long as 45 days (six weeks) on the ocean without sight of land during one of his sailing adventures by documenting a rowboat race from California to Hawaii.
In May of 2022, he and his wife completed a 4,000-mile 222-day sail from San Francisco as far south as Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and back up to the San Francisco Bay. Be it coastal cruising, ocean passage making, or sailing the San Francisco Bay, just being on the water fulfills his soul.
In March of 2015, he began working as a charter boat captain on the San Francisco Bay. He currently holds a US Coast Guard 100-ton Master Mariner credential. He is ASA sailing certified and is a US Sailing/Powerboat instructor.
His greatest pleasure is meeting people from all over the world who book a trip with us so he can share with them the excitement and memorable experiences of sailing and touring the iconic sights of the San Francisco Bay…He may even throw in a few sea stories.
© Captain Kirk's San Francisco Sailing, LLC 2021 San Francisco Sailing Charters