I took his racing class twice. I learned a ton both times. Rick was a great teacher, and great sailer. He also was a very personable man. He will be missed

20 years ago when I started thinking about transitioning from monohulls to cats, the first thing I did was to subscribe to Catsailor Magazine where Rick always had great articles about 'how to'. When I moved to Florida where the water is so much warmer than in New Hampshire, I decided it was time to try catamarans. I found a old beater Hobie 18 and I called Rick to ask how to set it up, how to sail it, and most importantly, how to right it! On my first drive down to the Keys, I stopped in to meet Rick and Mary and he was great fun.

Through his and Mary's efforts to keep catamaran racing alive we have all benefitted, with this web board we can exchange knowledge and ideas from around the world. I have been very fortunate in meeting and sailing with Dermot in Ireland, Andi in Switzerland, David in Dubai, and Opher in Tel Aviv, all due to Rick's generosity in providing this web board. Everything I know about cat racing I've learned from you guys here on this board, which would not have been possible without Rick and Mary's commitment to the sport.

Rick will be greatly missed, the Tradewinds regatta is already missing him. I hope someone close to him can figure out a way to keep this web board alive so we can continue to keep the sport active and communicate with each other easily.

Fair winds and following seas Rick. We all owe you a great debt of gratitude for the years you've spent working hard to keep the sport alive.

Rick is gone?!!!

Somehow, the world now seems to be a very different place.

We should pick a summer day, and EVERYONE go sailing that day in Rick's honor.

It is a great Idea and I will help make this a special day in Delray Beach Florida
Just choose the time and let us know
Thanks

I spoke with the organizer of the Charlotte Harbor Regatta and he is planning a tribute to Rick this weekend.

If you are on the bubble for coming, come on down, the weather is looking great.

Had I not driven over my spinnaker last weekend, I would be up for it...

You don't tell people you know us, right?

Here's a thought: maybe we should nominate Rick for the National Sailing Hall of Fame. Whoever can write the best Sailing bio of him (the obit didn't really cover sailing too much) should do the submission.

At the moment, Rick is in the catsailor hall of fame, but not the national one.

The page to submit someone is here: http://www.nshof.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=411&Itemid=124

Here's another thought, we need to name a regatta after Rick. We need a Rick White Memorial Regatta. I'm thinking Tradewinds would be the most logical since that has been his baby for the past 20(?) years. But we need someone (else) to run it, if it's going to be in the Keys. The Bluster on the Bay was good but it was in St. Pete, not Key Largo. We could still re-name it though, after Rick.

I wouldn't but Timbo was on the boat....

Dennis and Warren have already said they would be interested in running the Tradewinds/Rick White Memorial Regatta win Islamorada. We just need enough sailors to commit for them to do it.

...to the top.

I know this was discussed (here or other thread), but was any decision made toward a Rick White memorial regatta? Perhaps a fundrasier for his family or favorite non-profit (sailing center, cancer research, etc)?

It should include a Frankenboat class and award for the most bastardized cat...ratings be damned.. Waves with Hooters, Taipans with god-knows-what, any attempted foilers... If you can get it across the start line, you're in contention for the award!

While that Founders Park location has the occasional challenge (boats anchored in the middle of the course), it was a nice location with beach access and rigging space.

The islander is great, too, for an oceanside location

Blackwater Sound was always my favorite spot, but Gilberts isn't beachcat friendly. That Rowells marina was okay for access, but I don't believe they are accessable.

Or do it up in Tampa/Sarasota area if the A-catters (who are probably going to be the largest class unless the f-18 fleet puts it on their calendar) think that's easiest for logistics.

bring it!

Maybe get the Marco Island Regatta next month named in his Honor? The TriPower crew knew him and can make that happen.

possibility... although I've associated Rick primarily with beach cats.

If Marco Mariott only had beach access from the parking lot, they could all set up/launch right there!

I just had a popup on the computer, it would have been Rick's 80th birthday tomorrow. oh boy

Our community has endured some terrible losses in recent years. I had a chance to meet Rick at Tradewinds and the Steeplechase. I've tried to carry on his love for cat sailing. He is Sailor amongst sailors.

We will honor Rick on the island next weekend.
Slip to Ship
Ocean Springs, MS
Cat Sailing will never be the same.

jopo