Unhitched and Afloat in Clear Waters

Beginnings: Sean Mulligan
Sean Mulligan grew up in the once sail-friendly town of Lake Havasu City. Over the years, the exhilarating windsurfing, fast cats, and weekly beer-can races of his youth were scuttled in favor of more power, more noise, and less clothes. Sean, a firefighter, and his wife, Jo, a school principal, found themselves without sailing companions. They began nautically networking, and on the web they discovered the Southern California West Wight Potter Association. Joining a fun group of owners of pocket cruisers, they took their first cruise aboard their refurbished Montgomery 23, Dauntless, to Anacapa Island, one of California’s Channel Islands.

Enjoying the freedom of a quickly rigged trailer-sailer while expanding their circle of friends, Sean and Jo sailed up and down the California coast with Potter and Montgomery owners groups. Eventually, after having another great time cruising among the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington in the company of friends—it was their second trip there—Sean decided to stage an event to bring sailing back to Lake Havasu. “Now I have 400 sailing buddies and many great friends all over the country, and we know that there are so many great places to explore,” he says.

Besides building a social event around sailing, Sean has accomplished another important personal goal. “I really wanted to find a way to help out my town,” he says of his community, which was hit hard in the U.S. recession. The convention is now the town’s largest water event, generates revenue for the city, and has become a great source of pride.

Networking Pioneer: Judy Blumhorst
Growing up in a Massachusetts sailing family, Judy Blumhorst was solo sailing prams and dinghies by the time she was 8 years old. She gained her knowledge of sailboats and sail plans by crewing on a variety of boats in Boston Harbor. Her interest in sail efficiency helped her advance to amateur windsurfing’s highest levels.

When she moved to San Francisco 20 years ago, Blumhorst became involved with the Northern California West Wight Potter Association, and she served as commodore for three years. She initiated one of the first electronic newsletters for sailors. Enthusiastic participation in monthly weekend events led her to organize the Monterey Cruiser Challenge, a weekend of low-key racing and sailing camaraderie that continues to thrive.

Today, Blumhorst and her family sail Redwing, a West Wight Potter 19, and Bijou, a Catalina 27. She maintains a technical and social website for both. Each boat makes a distinct contribution to her family’s coastal cruising.

“You can go more places in the Potter because it’s trailerable,” Blumhorst says. “It’s a tough little boat that can squeeze in anywhere.” When it comes to maximizing sailing time, “the smallest boat that gets the job done is the right boat,” she says. Her family’s tall-rigged Bijou allows them to sail on San Francisco Bay, where the stiff winds offer a real challenge and plenty of opportunities for her to hone her skills.

Blumhorst has also promoted cruising spinnakers for pocket cruisers for years. “Cruising chutes are perfect for downwind sailing on pocket cruisers,” she says. “They’re small, and they’re easily launched and doused from the safety of the cockpit.”

The expertise serves her well in her role as a small-boat specialist for Hyde Sails USA. She enjoys providing “a custom sail-building experience to pocket-sailer clients,” whom she feels are underrepresented.