Captain Eautha

Captain Eautha has over 40 years of boating experience, sailing with her family from birth…Yes birth! Her Mom raced while pregnant and also brought her out sailing as an infant in a fruit basket!

Eautha’s Dad also was involved in her sailing education, he spent many hours teaching her the basics in their sailing dingy when she was just 8 or 9 years old. Eautha absolutely loved the freedom of being “Captain of her own little ship” no matter how tiny and tippy it might be! Her family would cruise for hours to get to different ports on the East Coast and as soon as they were safely moored, Eautha could not wait to get the sails up on her little dingy and take off to explore a new harbor! Her parents rules…”Be back to the boat for dinner when we blow the Horn!? Ha ha! Now a days, horn’s, as well as anything that sounds like her father’s whistle or LOUD bellowing voice are reminiscent of those wonderful times….

After Eautha grew up, her Mother started a sailing charter business with her 43’ Gulfstar, also named Naiad. Eautha eventually found herself back home and assisting as “1st Mate” and working for Naiad Yacht Charters, which was located in Stamford, CT.

Eautha and her Mom together joined the Darien Sail and Power Squadron and Eautha enjoyed all their teachings, as well as being their Treasurer. Power Squadron friends introduced Eautha to Norwalk’s Flotilla 72, a volunteer organization supporting the US Coast Guard. Eautha loved the idea of participating as crew on their patrol boat, the COGA. Her Mom eventually sold the Naiad in her retirement as she began to slow down. Eautha migrated from sailing, and served many hours as a crew member for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, participating on patrols and training for over 10 years. She enjoyed all the exposure to learning and especially patrol trips to Coast Guard Eaton’s Neck Station. Participating in training drills with the official teams there, visiting the mess hall and communication station were all very memorable experiences.

Eautha took a break from the water for several years when her Mom became ill and eventually passed in June of 2014. However, the sea’s pull on her heart never left..

Almost immediately after her Mom’s passing, Eautha got involved with Noroton Yacht Club and their Woman’s Sailing Group. She participated in several Woman on the Water events during this time and enjoyed the company of like minded ladies who all love sailing. Eautha was reminded of her Mom and her fantastic racing skills and she really wanted to try racing. (Surprisingly, she had never raced much with her Mom.) The sailing experiences at the club immediately jump started the old feelings of sailing around the harbors as a child.

What she learned about herself during this time, was that a focus on competition was not for her personally. Enjoying the sea and nature, with no anxious agenda to compete, but more to enjoy the company of guests is the wind for her wings. The years of dingy sailing and exploring new harbors, as well as running charters with her Mom, all made quite the impression that still rests in her enjoyment of sailing today.

However, she also believes the learning experience of racing is great fun! A terrific opportunity to experience a collaboration of teams working together to be the best. Racing’s extreme skills require focus on getting the most from a sailboat, the wind, and the sea. Skills which require much practice to be masterfully achieved. Competition on the race course can also be fierce and serious business!

For three years Eautha has been sailing aboard her new Naiad, a Nonsuch 30. This is her perfect fit! Traveling to the many harbors along both the Connecticut and New York coasts has brought the joy back to her spirit! She has single-handed this boat for many overnights into little coves and seaside towns and absolutely loves it!! She truly has re-found the joy of her sailing experiences that she loved so much as a child!

Captain Eautha now wants to share her joy of the sailing exploration with others— It is her great pleasure to share and once again introduce people to the sea as she did with her Mom’s business years ago. Seeing the joy on people’s faces as they feel this great connection to the sea is immediately rewarding! With the correct level of respect for the sea, there is a beautiful, harmonious relationship just waiting for anyone with the interest to come out and give it a try!