About Me
Captain Conor T. Dugan
Founder, Catamaran Connection
Professional Qualifications:
USCG 100GT Master II/3 | IYT MOY 200T Power | STCW-10 | VSO | PADI Dive Master
US Sailing Lvl 1 Instructor | ASA 201: Keelboat Instructor
Over 20,000nm logged as master
I began my sailing career as a J/80 instructor on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, sharpening my skills in the challenging coastal waters of the Cape Fear region. After graduating college, I moved to the Virgin Islands to pursue a career as a professional captain.
Early Days
Vessels Operated As Master: 62’ Lagoon 620; 58’ Outremer 5x; 57’ Gold Coast Catamaran; 54’ Alibi 54; 53’ Gold Coast Catamaran Island Dream, 53’ Gold Coast Catamaran Lady Lynsey; 52’ Balance 526 Blue Diamond; 48’ Outremer 4x; 45’ Lagoon 450; 43’ Beneteau Oceanis; 40’ Trinity Marine 40; 34’ Mainship; 26’ J/80; 24’ J/24.
Island Time
Clockwise, from below: Conor at the helm of GC 57 Island Spirit; Great Adventure, Lagoon 450 chartered by Conor and his wife, Taylor; Conor & Taylor at the USVI Charter Yacht Show 2017.
I started as captain on a 40-foot dive boat, climbing the ranks to become captain of the largest day charter catamaran in the US Virgin Islands. After two years in this role, my fiancée and I began operating week-long charters in the BVI. Two years more and I wanted to sail performance catamarans, so I started picking up deliveries on performance cats whenever I could. One of those deliveries put me on an Outremer 5x with sailing legend Jimmy Cornell.
Un Buen Aventura
Jimmy was preparing his Elcano Voyage, a circumnavigation aboard a fully-electric Outremer 4x, and he was looking for crew to join him. My wife and I were fortunate enough to be selected as crew for the journey. After spending a year exploring the Australian coastline in a camper van, we flew to France to begin preparations.
Upon arrival in La Grande-Motte, France, I received in depth training on the functions and operation of the Oceanvolt electric propulsion and regeneration system, as well as the features of the Outremer 4x. After weeks of preparation, we set off on the epic voyage.
After several challenges, including an electrical discharge in Seville that damaged the starboard regeneration system, we arrived to Tenerife where Jimmy decided to cancel the voyage and modify the boat to better serve his needs.
New Horizons
This change of plans landed me back in the US in the height of COVID. Looking for opportunities, I reconnected with Phil Berman of Balance Catamarans and came on as the Ft. Lauderdale broker for The Multihull Company.
I am now in my third year of brokerage and have managed over $20M in purchases and sales for my clients all over the world.
My wife and I continue our passion for sailing aboard our Salona 35, exploring the eastern US and the Bahamas.
Take the Helm.
Reach out to connect with me about your sailing dreams, and I’ll help you transform them into a reality.
Conor Dugan
Founder, Catamaran Connection
conor@catamaranconnection.com
+1 (340) 473-7469