Dave Lussier

Dave has been passionate about the water and sailing from a young age. He began his love for watersports at just 5 years old, waterskiing regularly, and by 11, he took to sailing on a Sunfish. His early years were also spent operating powerboats, and by the age of 17, he discovered multihull sailing through cruising on Hobie Cats, igniting a lifelong enthusiasm for sailing.

In his 30s, Dave expanded his sailing experience by acquiring his first trimaran. Over the next 25 years, he owned and raced two trimarans, enjoying both competitive and leisurely sailing. One of his proudest moments as a skipper came when he won the Corsair Nationals in Pensacola, FL, aboard his F27 trimaran. Around the same time, Dave earned his 100-ton USCG Captain’s License and became a well-respected boating instructor. He taught a variety of classes for the US Power Squadrons, including Seamanship, Piloting, and Advanced Piloting.

Beyond his personal achievements, Dave also contributed to the sailing community by founding the New England 100 catamaran race, a challenging course originally spanning from New London, CT to New Bedford, MA. After five years, he passed on the organization of the race, which was later managed by friends, including Sandra Tartaglino. In 2019, after Sandra’s tragic death, this event became a key part of the foundation of the Better Bay Alliance (BBA).

Dave’s competitive sailing experience extends to serving as the primary helmsman on a Swan 42 for six years, competing in races out of Jamestown, RI. In addition to sailing, Dave has embraced Blokarting, an exciting form of land sailing. He regularly sails the small, speedy craft on beaches and parking lots, reveling in the sport’s fast-paced nature. An avid athlete, he also competes in pickleball tournaments and enjoys staying active.

Professionally, Dave spent 30 years working with the Navy contractor SEACORP, where he rose to the position of president before retiring in 2023. His career highlights include serving as a test engineer aboard submarines, navigating through minefields, launching torpedoes and missiles, and even embarking on two memorable trips to the North Pole under the ice.

Now retired, Dave lives in Wickford, RI, with his wife Sheri and their two dogs, Calvin and Indie, continuing to pursue his passions for sailing, Blokarting, and pickleball.