Rod Macaya
Born in Santiago, Chile, Rod attended the Chilean/German Institute of Technology, obtaining an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology. He followed by attending STU (now Santiago University) to pursue Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Thermodynamics. Rod had the opportunity to move to the US in 1973, and after graduating college in San Francisco, worked as an automotive master technician. In 1976, Rod opened a Volvo service facility in Sausalito, CA, and married his wife, Christina. For the next 30 years, Rod raised his family and worked for large car dealerships eventually moving to WA to open his own Volvo/BMW service shop, eventually selling his business in 2014 to devote all his time to sailing and charter/instruction aboard his Jeanneau 45.2 sailboat.
Sailing life:
Rod was introduced to sailing in southern Chile aboard a Hobie Cat 18. It was love at first sight! However, not many opportunities presented for sailing until he became a racing crew member with a work associate in Sausalito, CA. in 1973. After moving to Oregon and Washington, he sailed and raced on the Columbia River in a San Juan 7.7, then a Catalina 27, and finally a Hunter 31. He and his family sailed their Beneteau 381, from Ketchikan, AK to ports all along the west coast. They also participated in two Oregon Offshore races, from Astoria, OR to Victoria, BC. He won first place in the cruising class, both times.
In 2013, Rod purchased a Jeanneau 45.2 sailboat from PCY founder and owner, Mike Mullenberg, and obtained ASA certifications to become a Sailing Instructor. He passed exams to qualify for a USCG Licensed captain in 2014.
Since 2015, Rod has ASA-certified over 250 new sailors, sailing out of Olympia and Anacortes with his charter/learn programs. Rod has also instructed new catamaran owners sailing out of La Paz, Mexico, and occasionally offers crewed charters in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.