Submitted by Bruce Campbell

The evening featured annual award presentations for Sailor of the Year, Boat of the Year, the Willam W. Heylman Award and not to forget… the coveted Half-Vast Award.

John Buchan accepting the Big Boat trophy

The trophies for the Tri-Island Series were handed out. John Buchan and the crew of Irene were the big winners for overall in Tri-Island. John also took home the silver for the 2005 Seattle Big Boat Series - a pretty good showing for a boat that will be set aside for his new boat, the TP52 Yassou.

Rob and Suzanne Fleming accepted 2005 SYC Sailor of the Year and the Kelly O'Neil-Henson Memorial Trophy

In the annual awards, Rob Fleming was named “Seattle Yacht Club Sailor of the Year” for his accomplishments at Swiftsure and Trans-Pac. At Swiftsure, Rob and Suzanne took 1st in class, 1st in fleet, 1st to finish and set a new course record to boot, with Coruba beating Roy Disney’s record from 10 years ago. Rob and Suzanne also received the Kelly O'Neill-Henson Trophy for their placing as the highest SYC boat at Swiftsure.

Brian Watkins and crew of Declaration of Independence - Sailboat of the Year Award

The Seattle Yacht Club Boat of the Year honors went to Declaration of Independence, Brian Watkin’s Express 37. Brian had a stellar year and cemented the trophy with a class win at Grand Prix. A perennial winner of this award for a number of years, Brian has resisted the efforts of the Trophy Committee to rename the boat in hopes of saving some money at the engraver’s shop.

The William W. Heylman Memorial Award for service and participation in sailing activities went to Dick Lootens

The big award of the night was the William W. Heylman Award, given to an individual that has given their time and efforts to the sailing program at SYC in the interests of making the program the best it can be. This year’s winner is Dick Lootens, long time race committee leader, US Sailing Regional Judge and all around fount of knowledge for the race program. Maggie and Kate Heylman were on hand to present the honor. Dick joins Bill Heylman and Kelly Henson some great company to be in.

Gordon and Mary Stoll pick up the Silver Jubilee Half Vast award, surrounded and comforted by past Half Vast winners

Last, but not least, was the Half-Vast Trophy. We learned that it is never safe to hand the microphone to a Past Commodore, but Roger Werner and other past winners gave the crowd a run down of the nominees that was very entertaining. When the smoke cleared, this year’s winner is Gordon Stoll. Who not only met a rock while cruising aboard Katzenjammer, but then had the audacity to enlist Steve Scruggs in an attempt to cover up his mis-deed. Failing to strike the burgee only added to his sins. And he learned that you can’t hide from the truth. For his efforts in the cover-up, Steve Scruggs was awarded a first time ever award, the coveted (?) Rubber Chicken. Not to be confused with the rubber chicken given at cruising events, this is painted bright red as a reminder that hiding the truth is also grounds for consideration.

Chris Warner and Pam Murray Panther - Cruising Sailboat of the Year (left), Phil Calvert and his young crew on Runaway won RacerCruiser of the Year(right)

Other award highlights include:

Cruising Boat of the Year – Chris Warner and Pam Murray, Panther
One Design Sailor of the Year – Lindsay Buchan
Crewmember of the Year – Randy Holbrook
Racer/Cruiser of the Year – Phil Calvert, Runaway
Ruptured Eardrum – Larry McCarthy

Mini-12 racers, "Three Stooges" Gordon Stoll and Stacey Wilson with the Supreme Commander of Mini-12s, Bill Boyesen presenting