How it began.
Maybe it was skippering a racing team, impressed by how they came together and performed. Maybe it was on the bridge of a destroyer, awed by infinite stars giving way to to the sun in middle of the Pacific. Maybe it was that first time sailing on a classic wooden ketch with no engine, enthralled by the power of the wind. Maybe it was all those days at the beach as a child, enchanted by what was beyond the wave break. Maybe it was a long line of sailors before me that left a lot of salt in my blood.
Maybe it doesn’t matter when it began, only that it did.
That relentless call to sea is the force that drove me to get away from a desk in the mindless corporate world and fulfill a goal I set over 30 years ago—to get a Captain’s License—and use it.
Being the Master of a vessel is more than just letting days at sea tick by until you can take a test. It’s about the discipline learned through the military. The attention to detail and system-thinking learned through being a Systems Engineer and Program Manager. The leadership learned through life.
And that—and more—is what we bring together because that’s what it takes to give you a fine tuned experienced on the water.
Our Team
Captain Jason Fox
Jason first set foot on a classic wooden sailboat in 1994 and was immediately captured by the sheer joy of being on the water with only your knowledge, skills, and the wind to rely on.
Inspired to not only go to sea, but to lead at sea, Jason went to the US Naval Academy to launch a 20+ year career in the Navy. From being the Navigator on a Destroyer to being a Senior Material Inspector, he honed his skills as a Mariner and a Systems Engineer, mastering those very skills, knowledge and ability to interpret the environment that is essential for successful passages.
When it was time “drop all wires” and trade the desk for a helm, he got his license and immediately began working it commercially and privately. While he is just as comfortable behind the helm of a tall ship, a commercial passenger vessel, or a yacht, he is happiest when helping to find the salt in everyone’s blood.
Jason holds a USCG Merchant Mariner Credential endorsed up to Master of Steam, Motor, and Auxiliary Sail Vessels to 200 tons upon Oceans. He also plays the mandolin.
Full resume available upon request
Captain Jason, in the pilot house of a commercial passenger vessel just after docking.
Check out our social media links for more photos of us at work!
Jason’s first learned to sail aboard the Sea Scout Ship Yankee Clipper.
You can’t be successful at sea without rock-solid support ashore, and Amy is an expert! Bringing together a military background, project management experience, and ever-present creativity, she provides shore support including meal planning and preparation, logistics, and transportation.
A native of Camden, Maine, Amy was born loving the water. She attended the University of Michigan and completed the Navy ROTC program there, gaining her commission as a Naval Officer. While in the Navy, she was stationed in various locations in California and Maine, and eventually landed in Washington, DC. Her military expertise centered on Surface Warfare and Engineering Project Management.
Amy also contributes mightily to the musical side of the Fine Tuned brand. A musician from an early age, her current focus is Irish and Scottish fiddle music. She co-leads a Scottish traditional music session in the DC area and always enjoys learning new tunes, especially the history behind them.
Amy Fox
Amy at the helm of our current boat, S/V Fine Tuned.
A Newport Surprise, Amy’s first boat.
Ashley has been sailing since the womb. Her parents sailed Scows together on the Barnegat Bay in NJ and she followed in their footsteps. The sailing industry brought Ashley to Annapolis, MD in 2008 and since then, she’s been producing videos for sailing events and racing on any boat she can get her hands on as a crew and as a skipper. Ashley is a member of the Storm Trysail Club, served on race committees, umpires team racing, and is a sailing instructor with many offshore miles in every condition under her belt. She loves Oreos while out on the high seas and if you ask nicely, she may regale you with a song or witty pun.
Ashley Love
Elena (they/them) has been sailing in Norfolk, VA for the past ten years. They have been working in sailing STEM education for eight years, and have recently been accepted to the University of New Orleans for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. They are currently licensed through the USCG, and will soon earn her endorsement as a Captain.
Elena Billington
Hannah was first enrolled in sailing lessons at the age of 6 by her grandparents as they were active members of the sailing community and instilled into her a deep love of sailing. Today, Hannah brings over 20 years of sailing experience to the table, including a US Sailing Instructor level 2 certification, Safety at Sea Certification, and nearly 1,000 ocean miles in her repertoire. Hannah loves any way she can spend time on the water. She is active in her local community sailing program and is passionate about getting more women into sailing and sailboat racing. You can follow along on her adventures (including with Fine Tuned Maritime) through her Tick Tock channel found @HannahSailorGirl.
Hannah Dickmyer
Jordan Hecht (neè Stock) is many things and they all center around sailing. At Archbishop Spalding High School, she joined the sailing team when her friend told her to try out at 16. She's been addicted ever since. At age 18, she started as a sailing instructor at Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association and found she was good at teaching people. Then she attended Old Dominion University and sailed at 2 ICSA National Championships. After college, she became lead sailing instructor at the MWR Norfolk Naval Station Marina and then at Yachting New Zealand's Have a Go! program. Following that wonderful experience, she started working at the Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore. Needing good health insurance at age 26, she got into classroom teaching and earned a Master's degree while also sailing boats of increasing sizes. Today, she has over 2,000 ocean miles from 4 offshore races. She sails with 3 different race teams in the Baltimore, MD area and loves to support women in STEM and in sailing.
Jordan Hecht
Lyzz began racing one-designs at the age of 7 in Long Beach, CA. She was the captain of her high school and college teams, with which she competed throughout the West Coast and Hawai’i. Since college she has raced up and down the West and East Coasts, the Caribbean, and the UK in a variety of one-design and distance PHRF racing, but most significantly the CFJ, Vanguard-15, J-105, J-70, and SC-50 classes. Lyzz has also taught and coached every level of sailing from juniors to adults, and was the Head Coach of the DC Sail High School program in Washington, DC. She has completed more than 1,000 nautical miles of offshore deliveries and racing, and is currently based out of the New York City area.
Lyzz Schwegler
Ryan developed a passion for sailing while residing in Chicago and honed his skills navigating 35 ft sailboats on Lake Michigan. With over a decade of sailing experience under his belt, Ryan boasts a US Sailing Basic Keelboat Instructor certification, a Safety at Sea Certification, and 800+ ocean transport miles under his keel. A dedicated sailor, Ryan typically spends 60+ days a year on the water, either racing or instructing in the Baltimore Harbor and Chesapeake Bay. He aspires to obtain his Captain's license in the near future, and always has SPF 50 sunscreen to share.
Ryan Ganser
Suzanne has spent a lifetime on the water in powerboats, kayaks, and most recently sailboats. With over a decade of sailing, she possesses the ASA series certifications 101-105. She is an avid racer, participating in three racing fleets, and the occasional guest appearance on various boats when time permits or in weekend regattas. When she's not racing, Suzanne can be found cruising the Chesapeake Bay on her own boat, accumulating over 100+ days on the water each year.
Suzanne is an avid traveler and adventurer, with 700 nm under her belt, taking her across five continents, by land and sea.
Whether racing, cruising, or exploring new horizons, Suzanne's deep passion for the water and adventure is evident in her infectious enthusiasm, attention to detail and her ability to adapt to any situation. And if you’re not careful, she might regale you with a ridiculous (true or not-true??) story.
