Bob Hughes, Sailor of the Month

Seahorse magazine hosts a monthly poll to recognize recent achievement, and the December 2025 winner is Bob Hughes (USA). Here are the details:

His nomination:
Bob Hughes has been both passionate as well as very successful now for close to 40 years at the pointy end of one-design keelboat classes in the US, including the Melges 24, Melges 32 and 1D35s, then Farr 40s and J/70s. Most recently he has demonstrated his prowess on longer courses in this year’s GL52 Series on his 2015 Botín TP52 Heartbreaker. As an owner-driver, his programs are lean yet efficient, delivering strong results for one of the best-sailed pro-am teams in the USA.

What the voters said:
“King of the Great Lakes” – Bora Gulari; “Bob loves sailing. He has dedicated a good portion of his free time to this sport, from taking kids out to competing in the Canada’s Cup to developing new fleets. He deserves a little limelightz” – Laura Hughes; “Bob exemplifies the compassion, grit and determination of a good captain” – Judy Eccker; “y big boss man!” – Jacob Bui; “Winning both Mac races in one year!” – Noel Drennan; “Fantastic sailor” – Andy Hemmings; “A great ambassador for sailing” – Paul Westlake.