All Inductees to the National Sailing Hall of Fame

John Gale Alden

“I was very much in love with a vessel that sails on her bottom, not on her beam ends.”

January 24, 1884 – March 3, 1962
Birthplace: Troy, New York

Elizabeth Gelenitis 
"Betsy" Alison

“I've never been afraid to ask questions.”

March 25, 1960 — 
Birthplace: Bayonne, New Jersey

Hobart "Hobie" Alter

“I didn't know anything about sailing so I wasn't confused by any past ideas. And the fact (catamarans) had speed...if you were a surfer, you wanted a little more thrilling thing.”

October 31, 1933 - March 29, 2014
Birthplace: Ontario, California

Henry Hill
“Harry” Anderson, Jr.

“We must not waver from our determination to offer youth an alternative to our plastic world…”

June 2, 1921 —
Birthplace: New York, New York

Philip Edward
"Ed" Baird

“Try your hardest and enjoy what you’re doing.”

May 17, 1958 —
Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Florida

Capt. Charles
"Charlie" Barr

“You hired me to win this race and that is what I intend to do.”

1864 - January 25, 1911
Birthplace: Gourock, Scotland. Naturalized U.S. Citizen.

Peter Jones Barrett

“In any competitive endeavor, success goes to those who most want to succeed.”

February 20, 1935 – December 17, 2000
Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin

Robert Newton
"Bob" Bavier Jr.

“We still bring up our youngsters in tame, relatively heavy boats.”

March 10, 1918 - February 21, 2001
Birthplace: New Rochelle, New York

F. Gregg Bemis

“There’s a difference between rounding a mark and passing a mark.”

October 6, 1900 - February 12, 1995
Birthplace: Boston, Massachussetts

William Bruce
"Bill" Bentsen

“Share your ideas with other competitors and they will usually do the same.”

February 18, 1930 –
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois

John Scott Biddle

“Like a fine wine, the America’s Cup summer was a very good year.”

June 7, 1925 – October 1, 2008 ž
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thomas David
"Tom" Blackaller Jr.

“Everyone chooses to be a color in life – I choose not to be gray.”

January 6, 1940 – September 7, 1989
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington

Nathaniel Bowditch

“I will put down in the book nothing I can’t teach the crew.”

March 26, 1773 – March 16, 1838
Birthplace: Salem, Massachusetts

ViNcent d'Avila Melo "Vince" Brun

“I like crewing. It makes me a better skipper.”

April 16, 1947 –
Birthplace: Albany, New York

William Eastman
"Bill" Buchan

“Why should I quit Star sailing? I wouldn’t have my friends.”

May 9, 1935 — 
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington

William Starling Burgess

"The racing yacht is, though in some measure the frivolous toy of the rich, a preeminently great physical...experiment."

December 25, 1878 – March 18, 1947
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts

Malin Burnham

“I’ve always been student of something.”

November 12, 1927 —
Birthplace: San Diego, California

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Frank Willis Butler

“Working with my hands always came more easily to me than schoolwork.”

January 17, 1928 —
Birthplace: Glendale, California

Paul Pierre Cayard

“I learned more about sailing on one leg of the Whitbread than I'd learned in the last ten years."

May 19, 1959 — 
Birthplace: San Francisco, California

Stephen “Steve” Colgate

“Every time I am on the water I learn something new.”

June 25, 1935 —
Birthplace: New York, New York

Runyon
“Runnie” Colie, Jr.

“Do not EVER over-trim the jib.”

May 22, 1916 - June 26, 2014
Birthplace: New York, New York

Dennis Walter Conner

“Competition is life's blood, and I'm a vampire.”

September 16, 1942 —
Birthplace: San Diego, California

George StavRos Coumantaros

“The real joy of racing is the passage and the people.”

July 23, 1922 – October 17, 2016
Birthplace: London, United Kingdom (Naturalized U.S. Citizen in 1952)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

David Adams
"Dave" Curtis

“Keep your eyes out of the boat – take advantage of what you see.”

June 22, 1946 — 
Birthplace: Marblehead, Massachusetts

Carl Martin
Eichenlaub, Jr.

“Winning sailboat races isn’t about boat handling, or tactics – you just need a faster boat.”

July 30, 1930 — November 29, 2013
Birthplace: San Diego, California

Jennifer Anne
"JJ" Fetter

“I was in the right place at the right time.”

December 1, 1963 —
Birthplace: La Jolla, California

William Peter
"Bill" Ficker

“I believe we learn a lot if we listen.”

December 12, 1927 - March 13, 2017
Birthplace: Pomona, California

Paul Jeffrey Foerster

“It was nice to finally go out on top.”

November 19, 1963 —
Birthplace: Rangely, Colorado

Jan Clover Gougeon

“My interest in boats goes back a long way."

August 7, 1945 – December 18, 2012
Birthplace: Bay City, Michigan

Meade Alger Gougeon

“People started buying epoxy from us. I could see a need for the product.”

September 25, 1938 - August 27, 2017
Birthplace: Bay City, Michigan

Olaf Theodore Harken

“When trying new stuff our rule is to ask, 'if it all goes bad, can we survive?'
Then we go to the bar and forget what we just said and do it anyway!”

May 6, 1939 —
Birthplace: Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
U.S. Citizen: February 18, 1963, Atlanta, Georgia

Peter Oscar Harken

"I grew up in the Far East tropics, but my parents were Dutch and Swedish, so I had their DNA and took to winter sports."

August 18, 1937 —
Birthplace: Surabaya, Java, Indonesia
U.S. Citizen: December 18, 1968, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lewis Francis Herreshoff

“If I can get you thinking with an open mind, my object will be accomplished.”

November 11, 1890 – December 1, 1972
Birthplace: Bristol, Rhode Island

Capt. Nathanael
Greene Herreshoff

“There are only two colors to paint a boat - black or white. And only a fool would paint a boat black.”

March 18, 1848 - June 2, 1938
Birthplace: Bristol, Rhode Island

Stanley Kohnen
"Stan" Honey

“In the stands at an NFL game I’ve heard a kid ask his father, 'Where’s the yellow line?’”

April 8, 1955 — 
Birthplace: Pasadena, California

Frederick Emmart
"Ted" Hood

“When I was young, I thought if I can be a sail maker, make $12,000 a year, sail and work on boats, I'll be happy.”

May 5, 1927 -  June 28, 2013
Birthplace: Beverly, Massachusetts

Charles Raymond
“Ray” Hunt

Photo © Mystic Seaport Rosenfeld Collection

“I ought to be able to design racing boats that wouldn’t be so darned expensive.”

May 17, 1908 — August 30, 1978
Birthplace: Somerville, Massachusetts

Gary Alan Jobson

“What you learn is more important than how you finish.”

July 17, 1950 -
Birthplace: Hackensack, New Jersey

Harriet Electa Search
"Exy" Johnson

“The Magistrate is tall and strong, would be noticeable in any group, and is a born sailor. He has a rare sense of humor, but also a dignity and air of authority which have won him the respect of his people.”
— By Electa Search Johnson,  from "A Visit to Pitcairn, The Lonely Isle of Mutiny" — The New York Times , 6-24-1934.

August 17, 1909 – November 9, 2004
Birthplace: Rochester, New York

Irving McClure Johnson

“Romance is a powerful disease.”

July 4, 1905 - January 2, 1991
Birthplace: Hadley, Massachussetts

Robert LeGrand
"Bob" Johnstone III

“I’m blessed to pursue my passion as a business.”

March 8, 1934 —
Birthplace: Glen Ridge, New Jersey

Rodney Stuart
"Rod" Johnstone

“Half the pleasure of owning any boat is looking at it.”

John Beresford
“Jim” Kilroy

“My best memories of the Kialoa years are of the crew, what we accomplished together.
They’ve all stayed in touch, forging friendships around the world.”

May 1, 1922 — September 29, 2016
Birthplace: Ruby, Alaska

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Bruce Robert
William Kirby

“Once I’m in my Sonar, the aches and pains go away.”

January 2, 1929 -
Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario
U.S Citizen: May 31, 1999

WilliaM INGRAHAM 
"Bill" KOCH

“The America's Cup is wonderful because it is a winner take all game.”

May 3, 1940 –
Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

John Paul Kostecki

“I was more scared on BMWOracle’s big trimaran than I was at any time during the Volvo Ocean Race. It wasn’t just a little scary. It was scary.

June 7, 1964 — 
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Timothea
"Timmy" Larr

“I don’t look backwards or keep records – I look ahead.”

June 1, 1940 —
Birthplace: Oyster Bay, New York

William Carl
“Bill” Martin

“When you make a deal, leave something on the table for everybody.”

September 6, 1940 —
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Harry C.
"Buddy" Melges, Jr.

“The best helmsmen are the ones who can keep the most channels open.”

January 26, 1930 -
Birthplace: Zenda, Wisconsin

Samuel Vaughn
“Sam” Merrick

“Where's Stuart?”

March 24, 1914 - April 17, 2000
Birthplace: Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Clark Wilbur
“Clarkie” Mills

“Just because the boats look stupid don’t mean nothing.”

January 28, 1915 – December 11, 2001
Birthplace: Jackson, Michigan

Emil
"Bus" Mosbacher, Jr.

“Starts are of great importance... in a match race, perhaps 50%.”

April 1, 1922 - August 13, 1997
Birthplace: White Plains, New York

Robert Staunton
“Robby” Naish

Photo Craig Kolesky Red Bull Content Pool

“I love the freedom of the sport, there are no rules.”

April 22, 1963 —
Birthplace: La Jolla, California

Lowell Orten North

“In my wildest dreams I wouldn't have imagined where North Sails has gone.”

December 2, 1929 — June 2, 2019
Birthplace: Springfield, Missouri

George Dyer O’Day

“Stay on the wave as long as possible.”

May 19, 1923 – July 26, 1987
Birthplace: Brookline, Massachusetts

Thomas James
"Tom" Perkins

“If there is no risk, you have already missed the boat."

January 7, 1932 — June 7, 2016
Birthplace: Oak Park, Illinois

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mark Jeffery Reynolds

“Fifty three years later, it’s still special — I just really enjoy sailing the Star Boat.”

November 2, 1955 — 
Birthplace: San Diego, California

Morris
"Rosy" Rosenfeld

“I always leave one plate unexposed in case something happens on the way home.”

February 16, 1885 – September 21, 1968
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
U.S. Citizen: July 28, 1904 Brooklyn, New York

James MarTinus
“Ding” Schoonmaker

“It is an honor to have competed in and served as a race official at the Olympic Games.”

June 10, 1933 –
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Cornelius “Corny” Shields

“A great deal of my best instruction I learned from juniors and beginners.”

April 7, 1895 – October 15, 1981
Birthplace: Canada

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Joshua Slocum

“To young men contemplating a voyage, I say go.”

February 20, 1844 - Unknown
Birthplace: Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia.
Naturalized U.S. Citizen 1865 in San Francisco.

Randolph Lyle
“Randy” Smyth

“Speed makes you look good.”

July 7, 1954 –
Birthplace: Pasadena, California

Olin James Stephens II

“I was lucky; I had a goal. As far back as I can remember I wanted to design fast boats.”

April 13, 1908 - September 13, 2008
Birthplace: New York

Roderick
"Rod" Stephens, Jr.

“Don’t forget your storm sails are for storms. When it’s blowing 60, small is beautiful.”

August 7, 1909– January 10, 1995
Birthplace: Bronx, New York

John Cox Stevens

"Although it would be most agreeable to me that this race should be for a cup of limited value...I am willing to stake upon the issue any sum not to exceed 10,000 guineas."

September 24, 1785 – June 13, 1857
Birthplace: New York, New York

Robert Edward
"Ted" Turner

“I lose my self-restraint and just get up and dance sometimes.”

November 19, 1938 -
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio

David Charles
"Dave" Ullman

“The goal on a boat is to surround yourself with people better than you.”

January 6, 1946 —
Birthplace: Newport Beach, California

Harold Stirling
"Mike" Vanderbilt

“Henceforth (with the J-class) we will take tiny steps. Such is the history of things associated with mechanics as they approach the perfection man is capable of bestowing.”

July 6, 1884 - July 4, 1970
Birthplace: Oakdale, New York

Stuart Hodge
"Stu" Walker, M.D.

“There are many who, in sailing, are reminded of symbolic conflicts with 'father,' or 'brother' and who, in an impasse between stimulated desire to defeat him and a guilty concern that they might, alternate between pressing on to victory and deliberate self-destruction.”
— From Winning: The Psychology of Competition

April 19, 1923 — November 12, 2018
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York

William Henry Webb

“I have always had a desire to provide for young people who show an ability and anxiety to become useful.”

June 19, 1816 – October 30, 1899
Birthplace: New York, New York

Thomas Avery
“Tom” Whidden II

“My business is sailmaking, and my passion is sailing.”

September 24, 1947 —
Birthplace: New York, New York