Ensign Fleet 2

The first Ensign on Galveston Bay was launched on Clear Lake in the Spring of 1963. Spun Sugar (#5) was sailed to its future home (HYC) by Rufus (Bud) Smith and Tommy Rodgers. With Bud and Helen Smith's leadership, Ensign Fleet 2 was formed and grew to 28 boats over the next three years. It was not unusual to have 25 Ensigns on the starting line during the early years of the Fleets history. Over the years it has remained an active Fleet at Houston Yacht Club and in the sailing community and 35 boats still call HYC home.

Fleet 2 is one of 42 active Ensign Fleets in the United States. The location of the Fleets include Colorado, the Great Lakes, New England, Mid Atlantic, and Florida. The Ensign Class Association (http://www.ensignclass.com/) arranges and conducts a National Championship Regatta each year. The elevated participation in Nationals (45-50 boats) reflects the increased activity in the Class in recent years. Membership in the Class Association is at record numbers. In addition, Ensigns are in production again. The last boats were made in 1981 and now 20 years later they are being made in Florida.

The Ensign is a strict one design class that provides good fleet racing in boats that are very equal and therefore emphasize tactics. With its large cockpit it also makes a great day sailer for family outings and day cruises. The Fleet has many social functions through out the year including an in town party, a downwind race from Galveston and socializing after races.

Fleet 2 has been well represented at the National level. Bud Smith raced in the first two National Championships and finished second in each one. Clark Thompson Jr. and his team won National Championships in 1975 and 1976. Clark went on to win the first Champions of Champions Regatta representing the Ensign Class. Dean Snider with long time crew of Kay Snider and Frank and Sandy Kelley won in 1987 and 1988. Then repeated in 1998 with crew of Kay, Dave Lindsay and Jim Lober and again in 2003 with crew of Kay, Dave Lindsay, and Simon May.