Quantum Sails Gulf Coast

Born in Bel Air, MD, not too far from the Chesapeake Bay, Alan Woodyard found his love for sailing later in life than most. At 23 years old, after developing a keen interest in traveling by sail, Alan enrolled in a Professional Mariner Training course at the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, FL. From there he found his way into a six year adventure in long-distance cruising and yachting, completing several ocean passages and tens of thousands of miles at sea while acting as either the sole crew or as the primary member of a small crew aboard private sailing yachts ranging in size from 40 to 65 feet.

Upon returning to the U.S., Alan began his search for a career in canvas work and sail making, which he found at the Quantum Sails loft in Annapolis, MD. In 2016, after a few years back in Maryland honing and expanding his skill set in the service loft, Alan decided to embark on a new adventure as the loft service manager and marine canvas fabricator in the Quantum Sails Gulf Coast loft in Seabrook, TX.

Now with over a dozen years in the industry, Alan has accumulated a vast amount of varied experience in not only sail making and canvas work but also on the race course. He has raced both inshore and offshore with some highlights being multiple class wins in the annual Harvest Moon Regatta and participation in most of the Southwest J/22 Circuit Regattas for the past seven years.

As a Sailor, Sail Consultant, Loft Service Manager, and Award-Winning Canvas Fabricator, Alan enjoys interacting with the sailing community both at hom in Texas and abroad. He gets a lot of satisfaction out of finding the right solution for customers based on sailing plans, budget, and desired outcomes. To sum up his perspective on what's next, Woodyard said "Working to nurture and grow the long-standing Quantum Sails presence here in Seabrook has been a great adventure and I look forward to a long future as a part of such a special industry!"

Johnnie Ray Moore has lived on the coast of Texas his entire life, spending time in the local waters since he was a child. New to the sailing scene, Johnnie grew up surfing the waters of Galveston Island and in his adult years boating as much as possible. From 2000 to 2010, Johnnie participated in local charity surfing tournaments. "I have an amazing family and am a family man to the roots. I am excited to be a part of the Quantum team and can’t wait to see what adventures lie ahead!"

Shawn Brennan grew up sailing with his father on the Gulf Coast in New Orleans. There, he learned to race, starting in Optis, Flying Scots, and Easterly 30s. He has been an instructor for all ages, teaching junior, college, and adult sailing.

Shawn has a long history of sailmaking, starting in his first job at his uncle's sewing shop, where he was taught to sew on industrial sewing machines. In his twenties, he worked at a New Orleans boatyard with a Quantum loft above it. When the work was slow in the yard, he'd go upstairs and sew in the loft. The owner of that loft, Chris Schramel, became an integral connection for Shawn, who eventually joined Quantum Sails as an office team member. From there, Sean worked in a different New Orleans loft for a few years, honing his sailmaking skills until he purchased an Easterly 38, fixed it up, and sailed to Grenada. There, he sewed and worked on the sails of cruising catamarans from all over the world. Now that he is back stateside, Shawn is a part of the Houston racing scene and has hopes to bring Texas and Louisiana/GYA sailors together to race. He is excited to provide Quantum customers with the expertise he has learned and some great sails from the Seabrook Loft.

With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, Rese McLaughlin keeps things running smoothly at the Seabrook Loft. Her ability to manage projects and her deep knowledge of the industry means that the team can effectively meet the needs of local cruisers, racers, and daysailors. Texas born and raised, McLaughlin has done a little bit of everything, from making spinnakers to working on the repair floor. Her unmatched understanding of how a loft works makes her a valuable resource to our team as well as to our customers.