Administration & Charter

Jennifer Edwards - Office Manager & Yacht Sales Coordinator

jennifer@gratitudeyachting.com

Brent Kershaw - Charter Manager

charters@gratitudeyachting.com

Aleah Sullivan - Office & Charter Receptionist
aleah@gratitudeyachting.com

Abby Glenn - Office & Charter Receptionist
abby@gratitudeyachting.com

About Us

After spending several summers in Rock Hall at Swan Creek Marina aboard his Herreshoff 28 ketch, Ed Kurowski founded Gratitude Yachting Center in 1980. In 1984, Jack Heffner became a partner and was followed by Ed's wife Robin in 1997.
Ed's enthusiasm for yachting and the Chesapeake Bay aboard comfortable cruising boats led him into what is now a 26 year association with Island Packet Yachts. During these 26 years Ed has sailed Island Packet Yachts over approximately 40,000 sea miles to include a dozen trips to Bermuda, a transatlantic to Ireland on an Island Packet 29, several Caribbean 1500's, a week's visit to Havana, Cuba and many miles in the Bahamas.

His vast sailing experience translates into a cruising oriented approach and is shared by Jack, Robin and the entire Gratitude staff providing you with best possible help for you to own and equip your yacht for comfortable and safe sailing adventures.

Yacht Sales

With experience since 1980 in marketing, outfitting and servicing new and previously enjoyed yachts, we are the best team to help you when you decide to buy or you would like to sell.
We are dedicated to providing you with one of a kind experience backed by our knowledge, care, experience, qualifications and outstanding staff.
We have more listings and sales pending than any other yacht sales company in our area. Offering the largest inventory of new and previously enjoyed yachts attracts many buyers from many areas and countries. Any one of our sales staff can assist you with your yacht selection process or a marketing and analysis if you are selling.

Charter & Charter Management

Our award winning and Chesapeake Bay Magazine's Best of the Bay all Island Packet charter fleet operates from Gratitude Marina from May thru early November.
We strive to balance high quality yachting services with personal and professional attention that is characteristic of the Eastern Shore. The popularity of our Island Packet charter service is evidenced by our charter clientele, 75% of whom are repeat customers. It is not uncommon for charter customers to become Island Packet owners after they experience the pleasure of sailing with us and all that our area and the Chesapeake have to offer.

Service & Commissioning

We have more experience with servicing and commissioning Island Packets and cruising yachts than any other dealer or yacht sales firm. We have earned Island Packet's Golden Wrench award since its inception.

John Hellwege, our Service Manager and the entire service team have years of experience and training affording you the best suggestions, outfitting and component selection available. We work with you to ensure you have the yacht of your dreams with the equipment you need for the type of boating you want to do.

Gratitude Yachting Center - About Us