Crew

Admiral · Joined 2002

Sham Hunt

National Sailing Hall of Fame · Inducted 2024

Never the Captain, always in charge. Sham joined Marlow offshore expeditions three times to Bermuda in 2002, 2004, and 2006, for the Atlantic Crossing in 2007, Tunisia in 2010, and Cuba in 2015.

O Captain! My Captain! My salty Godfather of the Sea, my gratitude for showing me how to be a sailor in the great tradition of your family, to properly respect the open ocean, and for a million laughs along the way. Congratulations Sham!!!!

The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) announced on April 2nd that James "Sham" Hunt will be formally inducted into its Hall of Fame this September. Hunt will be inducted with 10 other sailors who are considered trailblazers in their sport. The organization recognizes sailors who have made major contributions in three categories: racing, contribution to the sport, and technical, and Hunt is being honored in all three divisions. Thus far, 135 people have been inducted, beginning in 2011 when the first Hall of Fame class was established.

Hunt now joins his father, legendary boat designer and yachtsman C. Raymond "Ray" Hunt, who was inducted in 2017 (posthumously). Sham said he believes that they are the only father-son team who have received the honor, and he is very grateful to be recognized.

"The induction is an enormous honor after spending my entire active life sailing, boating, racing and building affordable sailboats for the greater population! I cannot add more….it is just wonderful!" he said.

Hunt won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics (Naples, Italy), crewing on a boat designed by his father – a 5.5 meter. He won the Mallory Cup (North American Men's Championship) in 1968, with crew members Josh Hunt and Bourne Knowles, and placed second in the International Tempest Championships in 1967. These are just a few of his racing achievements! He also served as President of the O'Day Company, and CEO/President of a conglomerate including O'Day, Bangor Punta, Cal, Prindle Catamarans, Corsair Trimarans, and Lear Siegler Marine, which produced 50,000 sailboats under his watch.

Hunt joined NBYC in 1961 and served as a Board Director, Racing Chairman and Rear Commodore. He is now an honorary member of NBYC and is featured in the club's Member Spotlight. If you haven't read about his feats, please take the opportunity to do so on our website and in a new Member Spotlight book available in our dining room. Also, please visit the NSHOF website, which includes his profile along with other inductees.