SIGHTINGS the godfather's boat of ryc
hans henken to sail for
If you sail the waves of San Francisco Bay, there's a sassy, sturdy little wooden boat with a memorable light-green deck top that's probably caught your attention. This is Hurricane class Random, and for more than 70 years, she's been under the eye of the Clausen family: first father Bert, then son Kers, today a resident of Brickyard Cove in Richmond. Bert is regarded as the godfather of Richmond Yacht Club (he was club commodore 1961 to '62). Having negotiated the purchase of the land, he also served as the designer for both the harbor and the yacht club. He developed Brickyard Cove, which today has more than 100 homes, a marina and several commercial buildings. That said, it's natural that Random (hull #7) is the flagship vessel for Richmond Yacht Club. In 1949, Random's keel was laid, and the hull constructed at Nunes Brothers in Sausalito. Continuing buildout at the Nunes yard, Bert focused on deck, spars and interior; carpentry was completed by Karl Peach. Despite having been only 5 years of age at the time, Kers remembers playing alongside his father almost every weekend. Random hit the water in 1955 and quickly started to accrue race wins and family happiness. She's achieved podium status at club events, YRA ocean races and the
Hans Henken and Ian Barrows are officially confirmed to represent Team USA in the 49er class at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. "It's been a lifetime goal," says Henken, who is a Stanford alumnus. "We haven't really been living that long at all, but as kids, both Ian and I knew we wanted to compete at the Olympic Games. It's one of those things where the goal was so big and monstrous to overcome. "At times, it has felt like it would never come." Qualifying for the Olympics signifies a lot of hard work and problem-solving paying off for Henken. Not only is this the second trial attempt, but Henken is still recovering from the September 2023
PHOTOS JOHN 'WOODY' SkORIAk UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
RANDALL VON WEDEL
Clockwise from top left: 'Random' at dock on the Richmond Riviera; Tim Murison at the helm; Sausalito's own Nunes Boatyard is a distant memory of the working waterfront. The Hurricane 'Random' is still very much alive; 'Random' on the water; Shelly Willard at 'Random's helm; 'Random's green decks are certainly among her sassy signatures.
RANDALL VON WEDEL
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Page 38 • Latitude 38 • February, 2024