Port Captain Mark Wild

Mark Wild

Port Captain, Racine, WI (M – 45)

My father was a naval officer, so growing up, I lived in eight places including Japan, London, Hawaii and port towns on the East Coast and Great Lakes.  I learned to sail on a Sunfish and later on various rental boats on the naval bases. After college at University of Illinois, I joined the US Marine Corps, serving in the infantry as a reconnaissance officer. 

While stationed in Hawaii, I purchased my first sailboat, a West Sail 32 which I sailed around Oahu but also to Kauai. There are big winds and sea conditions all around the islands – it’s rarely calm sailing. 

After leaving the Marines, I returned to Illinois and owned a small business for 30 years. I sailed occasionally with friends on Lake Michigan and chartered sailboats and catamarans in the Caribbean. Upon retirement in 2023, I bought my current sailboat, S/V Lucky, a Tartan 372, and joined the GLCC. I sail out of Reefpoint Marina in Racine, WI. (M–45)

I bought S/V Lucky mostly to cruise the Great Lakes. Though I day-sail, my real interest is seeing places all around the region, visiting remote places and meeting like-minded boating people. My wife, Laurel, unfortunately, doesn’t do much distance sailing with me due to motion intolerance. However, she does join me in various ports. We have three daughters who enjoy sailing, but, alas, are busy with careers, so I only get them out on the boat occasionally. I hope to see more of them on the boat in 2026.

I’ve now enjoyed three Great Lakes sailing seasons and have made some great friends both from Reefpoint and from the GLCC.  I typically am out cruising 6–8 weeks in the summer.

Notable journeys in 2025 included the GLSS solo Mac challenge, sailing from Chicago

to Mackinac Island in 52 hours. My wife joined me on Mackinac Island for a mini-vacation, after which I sailed solo to Harbor Island to join the Wilderness Rally and then to Little Current, ON, to attend my first GLCC Rendezvous.  I enjoyed meeting fellow GLCC members. Everyone was so helpful and welcoming. Friends met me in Little Current, and we explored the North Channel a bit before heading back to Racine.

I am looking forward to exploring Lake Superior in 2026 en route to the Duluth Rendezvous. I am working with GLCC Rear Commodores to coordinate flotillas for members to share the journey up to Lake Superior.  It should be a fantastic trip and a great opportunity to meet other GLCC members.