Banks Sails Tampa - Who We Are

BANKS SAILS TAMPA has been servicing the Tampa Bay area since 1986.
We became a member of the BANKS SAILS group in 1995. We have built sails for two Whitbread boats, long distance cruisers, national championship one-designs. At BANKS SAILS TAMPA, we build great sails. 

The Staff

Dennis Vellenga has extensive long distance cruising and racing experience. He has logged many hours cruising to the Dry Tortugas, several Clearwater-Key West races as well as St. Petersburg to Isla Mujeras - having placed 2nd in his first attempt in 1992, and winning overall when he chartered Vagabond, a 47' Centurian with all Banks Sails in 1998. He has won many local races and has been instrumental in winning on many customer boats. His current boat is a Lagoon 42 catamaran that was wrecked in the Bahamas and is currently under renovation, or should we say, continually under construction, but being used when ever time allows. Dennis started sailing in a Lido 14 in his youth growing up in Oregon. He purchased the loft in 1992 and is current owner.

Rod Koch has over 30 years experience in the marine industry in sailmaking, boat-building/repair, yacht captain, and deliveries from Maine to Florida, the Bahamas and Mexico. He started sailing 40 years ago in dinghies, Penguins, V-2s, and 470s. He also crewed on thistles and local MORC and FORA boats. Rod got involved in larger boats and successfully crewed in the old SORC, Chicago Mac, Queens Cup, Daytona-Bermuda, Ft. Lauderdale-Key West, Key West Race Week, Kahlua Cup, Block Island Race Week, etc, etc, He raced a lot!
He is currently sailing Sunfish, Lightnings, Flying Scots, and Moths. Has won NA in Sunfish, sailed at the worlds in Sunfish 8 times. Rod has been employed at Banks Sails Tampa since March of 2002 and does our sail design and finish work. His extensive sailing experience is a great asset to our business.