Layline: Then and Now

THEN: No, Layline was not started in a garage, it was started in a SHED. Sheds are usually built by fathers either by themselves or as a father-son project under the guise of solving storage issues. When I was 8, my father and I built the shed pictured. Unlike a garage, sheds are always detached from the house. Sheds seldom have phones, and land allowing, are a fair distance from the main house, out of the range of normal speech but in visual contact and "hollering". Proper sheds are minimally insulated and wired for "tools". Sheds are heated and cooled, however these systems only cut the edge off hot and cold; certainly not comfortable or cozy. Hopefully you are understanding the unspoken benefits of a nice Shed. Our last season in the shed ended when my mother had to step over a Brand New J30 boom in the living room... 5 moves later, we are in our our current building in Buford, Ga.

NOW:

Layline is now located in Buford Georgia just 45 minutes Northeast of Atlanta next to Lake Lanier. Our facility is 9000 square feet of nothing but sailing. We have two full time riggers standing at our rigging bench day in and out . We have a full time staff here to serve you year around. If you are ever in the neighborhood please feel free to drop by and check us out.
People Behind The Phone

Allen Surls- Customer Service and Sales
Allen has been sailing anything from Melges 24 to Catalina 22's for the past 10 years. Sailing primarily on Lake Lanier his knowledge of boats and sailing has taken him places such as Pensacola, Jacksonville, Charleston and many others. Rely on Allen to guide you to the right solution to most any problem

Henry started his sailing career at the ripe old age of 10. Henry has been with Layline over 8 years and serves as our "resident expert" on many boats. From the J30, that he use to own, to the sunfish, Henry has the knowledge and know how to put just about any package together.


Mike Krantz - VP Product Development

I was a late bloomer in life, not having picked up sailing until I was 28 years old. I bounced around sailing PHRF on Lake Lanier and the gulf coast for several years. Believe it or not, I was designated foredeck monkey because I was an ex-boy scout and still knew how to tie a bowline with my eyes closed. In 1991 I was invited to do bow on a J35, Time Bandit, at the Audi Key West Race Week. The 50 footer's were there, the Mumm 36's were the hot boats, the Ultimate 30's were ripping up and down the channel in front of the pier, and the J35's had their own one-design start. At that point I became hooked on racing sailboats, the parties, the people I met, and everything else associated with it. If I bought a vehicle, it had to be able to tow a boat. If I bought any clothes, they had to be able to worn on a boat, and so on....

In 1993 out comes this funky new boat called a Melges 24. I got a chance to start sailing with a friend on one, and holy sh*t, I can do foredeck from the cockpit. I found a partner and pretty soon we had USA49 sitting at the sailing club. I also bought an old laser and spent every afternoon and weekend developing my helming skills. Life was good, I met my future wife while sailing, and it wasn't long before we eloped off to the islands got married, came back, called the parents, and spent the wedding funds on a brand new M24.

After about 5 years of being on the M24 circuit, I had a mid-life crisis and decided I wanted a catamaran for my birthday, being the wonderful wife that she is, she gave me a brand new Nacra 20 as long it didn't interfere with our/her M24 campaign. It wasn't long before I was completely immersed in the cat circuit, especially the distance events - Atlantic 1000, Tybee 500, Texas 300, Steeplechase, etc. There were some good times and bad times, some were physical, financial, and emotional disasters, but I wouldn't change a thing.

It sounds like all I've sailed is the Melges and catamarans, but along the way I've also managed to attend almost every KWRW since 1991 on a variety of boats, the Caribbean circuit as bowman on a Swan 56, Lauderdale to KW on a variety of boats, the Chi-Mac race, and the list goes on. I've had the opportunity to sail in some of the most backwater in the middle of nowhere puddles, and I've sailed in 100+ fleets at World Championships. My wish list still includes the Transpac, the Mobay, BIRW, the Sydney Hobart, Fastnet, etc. Somewhere down the line I went from being a workaholic computer programmer/IT professional to a regatta rat, railmeat, sail bum, etc. But you know what, now I've got the greatest job in the world that allows me to go sailing, try out new gear, attend regattas, and meet new sailors every weekend. So chances are when I answer the phone I can relate to you, your boat, your sailing, and help you make right choice for the products that you need.

Sail Fast, Sail Fun, See ya out there...

-Mike