About
Greetings, trimaran enthusiasts!
We're Richard Allen and Leslie Gabriel, founders of 180 Marine. Launched in 2015, our company supports new and experienced sailors throughout the United States. 180 Marine has assembled a skilled support team with deep experience racing and optimizing trimarans, primarily centered in Long Beach, California.
Our trailerable designs enable widespread exploration – our owners are sailing and enjoying adventures throughout the US, Mexico, and Central America. We're proud to represent Corsair and Dragonfly this year, recognizing their exceptional leadership in advanced design and production.
Richard grew up in the Great Lakes region before meeting Leslie in Colorado and launching multiple businesses together in Colorado. For a decade, we've focused on growing 180 Marine to fulfill our passion for trimaran sailing. Richard's racing journey began in 1998, and now he particularly enjoys fast cruising on well-appointed Dragonfly designs and racing Corsairs and Melges 15s.
We offer basic to advanced trimaran training monthly and welcome personal consultations. If you're uncertain about any aspect of trimaran ownership, contact us – connecting with fellow sailing enthusiasts is what we enjoy most.
follow our journey
Our team of specialists
Scott Klodowski
Lead Rigger and World-Class Multihull Instructor
Remarkable Accomplishments:
Skipper and Program Manager of
a Nigel Irens 63’ racing trimaran “Shockwave”
2019-2022 - Rolex Middle Sea Race
Rolex Middle Sea Race - Skipper 2017, 2019, 2022
Newport Beach to Cabo San Lucas Race - Watch Captain 2019, 2021
Pineapple Cup/Miami to Jamaica - Watch Captain 2019
Rolex Caribbean 600 - Watch Captain
Los Voiles Regatta - Watch Captain 2019
BVI Spring Regatta - Watch Captain 2019
Total Miles Sailed to Date + 75,000 nautical miles
Kerr Gelvin (Gelvin the Great)
Intermediate Trimaran Trainer / Guaranteed to have a good time!
Kerr began sailing as a child in Costa Rica. He loves parasailing, windsurfing in Southern California, and his passion for exploring and living an adventurous life.
Bill Edwards
Intermediate Multihull Trainer
Bill brings over 25 years of trimaran and catamaran sailing experience. His knowledge and love of sailing is apparent in how he approaches people. Recently, Bill sailed across the Pacific on his Seawind 1160.
Taylor Meletyan
180 Operations / Master of Details
Taylor graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Little did she know she would become the Operations Director at 180. She evaluates the team's day-to-day efficiency, and sets strategic goals we try hard to meet!
Leslie Gabriel
Founder / Marketing Director
Leslie has over 33 years of experience in marketing and communications, evolving with the digital era to adopt cutting-edge strategies. She designs smart, impactful communication campaigns emphasizing simplicity and clarity, revealing her organization’s unique truths. Leslie creates engaging messages that connect the 180 Marine brand with its favorite people, delivering clear, educational, and inspiring information!
Leslie’s passion isn’t sailing, but she finds deep satisfaction in painting with oil pastels. Color fuels her. It sparks imagination and lets her play with texture and bold strokes to create unique statements. But what truly excites Leslie is the ambiguity of abstraction—the freedom to let each piece reveal itself in its own way. lesliegabriel.com