Chuck Eaton
1957-2003
Sadly, the PC fleet lost a long time champion
skipper at an early age. Chuck Eaton started his sailing career
at the age of 8 sailing Sabots out of the Coronado YC. Soon his
shelves were full of awards and trophies. By 1972, Chuck was the
Sabot Fleet Captain and took his responsibility so seriously,
that he spent his after school hours making trophies and award
plaques.
His Sabot honors included a First Place in the
Sabot Invitational at the CYC, First Place in the Spring Series
of 15 races at the CYC, First Place in the Luff-In series and
many other regattas, including placing 2 nd over all in the Sabot
National Championships. Having proven his skills and as time went
on, Chuck did not race, but gave support the the other Sabot sailors
acting as coach, measurer, safety man and Race Committee volunteer.
As the years passed, Chuck did equally well
with Lasers and then won his first PC Nationals at the young age
of 14, sailing against men twice his age with twice the experience.
Sailing PC #s 54, 16 and 11, Chuck won the PC Nationals 11 times.
After completing his Master's Degree at USD,
Eaton was accepted to Medical school and left the San Diego area
for over 10 years. With little time for sailing, Chuck eventually
returned to Coronado with his new wife Trish, and had started
a family. His private practice in Coronado kept him busy, but
offered time to occasionally get back on the water.
Few people know that Chuck's sister was married
to the son of another accomplished PC Skipper, Hilyard Brown.
As Hilyard began to slow down, he encouraged Chuck to continue
on with his PC sailing and, in fact, gave him his boat #11, First
Fiddle. Forming a partnership with Brian Thomas
(of Thomas Sabot fame), Chuck and Brian did a total renovation
of #11 and had her ready to sail in the 1996 PC Nationals where
chuck won his 11 th PC Nationals Trophy. This would be the last
PC Nationals he would sail. Chuck and Brian elected to sell the
boat and Chuck moved on into a more family oriented power boat.
Chuck passed on in 2003 very unexpectedly. His
wife Trish is supportive of her two sons who, as their their Dad
did, sail Sabots out of the CYC. My thanks to friend, Trish Eaton,
for sharing information and photos about PC Champion, husband
and Dad, Charles Henry Eaton III M.D.
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